New York Construction Accident Lawyers
Fighting for Injured Workers in NYC and White Plains
At the Law Offices of Michael H. Joseph, our New York construction accident lawyers know what’s at stake when you or a loved one suffers injuries at a work site.
Under New York’s strict Labor Laws, property owners and contractors can be held liable when safety rules are ignored. Whether you were hurt on a high-rise, at a demolition site, or in a roadway project, our firm will protect your rights and fight for maximum compensation for you and your family.
Are You an Injured Construction Worker in New York?
You may be entitled to more than just workers’ compensation benefits.
New York has some of the strongest worker-protection statutes in the country, and they can significantly impact your recovery. Three labor laws in particular, Sections 200, 240, and 241 of the New York Labor Law, play a critical role in construction accident cases.
Labor Law 200 – General Safety Duty
Labor Law 200 requires property owners and general contractors to provide a reasonably safe work environment. If a worker is injured because of unsafe conditions, poor site maintenance, or inadequate supervision, the law allows claims for negligence.
Labor Law 240 – The “Scaffold Law” or The "Ladder Law"
Section 240 is one of the most powerful worker protection laws in the nation. It holds New York property owners and contractors strictly liable when workers are injured in gravity-related accidents. This includes falls from ladders, scaffolds, or roofs, or getting struck by falling objects.
- Workers do not have to prove negligence to recover compensation. They only need to show that proper safety devices were not provided.
- Even if the worker’s own actions partly contributed to the construction accident, liability still applies to the owner/contractor.
Labor Law 241 – Construction, Demolition, and Excavation Safety
Under Labor Law 241, owners and contractors are required to comply with New York’s Industrial Code regulations governing construction, demolition, and excavation. If a violation like the lack of protective gear, inadequate shoring, or unsafe equipment leads to injury, the worker has the right to recover damages.
What New York Labor Laws Mean for Your Recovery
These laws give construction workers powerful legal rights that go far beyond standard workers’ compensation. By holding owners and contractors accountable, New York’s Labor Laws can significantly increase the amount of compensation an injured worker is able to recover.
Full Personal Injury Damages
Unlike standard workers’ comp, a New York construction accident lawyer can pursue a Labor Law claim that allows recovery of complete personal injury damages. This includes compensation for long-term disabilities, loss of quality of life, and the emotional toll of a serious construction injury.
Coverage for Medical Costs, Lost Wages, and Future Earnings
Labor Law claims make it possible to recover past and future medical expenses, from emergency surgeries to rehabilitation and lifelong care. They also cover lost wages and reduced earning capacity, which is critical when an injury prevents you from returning to construction or other physically demanding work.
Liability of Owners and General Contractors
Even if they weren’t personally supervising the job, New York law makes property owners and general contractors strictly liable for safety violations that cause injuries. This means workers can often secure higher settlements or verdicts than would be available under workers’ compensation alone.
If you’ve been injured in a construction accident in New York, call us today at (212) 858-0503.
“New York’s Labor Laws give injured construction workers legal leverage that doesn’t exist in most states, making it easier to hold negligent parties accountable and maximize recovery.”
Understanding Construction Accidents in New York
Despite New York Labor Law protections, accidents on construction sites still occur at alarming rates. According to the NYC Department of Buildings, there were 841 construction-related incidents involving injury, fatality, or some type of hazardous occurrence reported in 2023. These events, which included everything from building collapses to carbon monoxide poisoning to severe lacerations, led to 692 injured workers and 7 fatalities. Because one incident may involve multiple workers, or no injuries at all, the number of incidents does not match the exact number of injuries and deaths.
Behind every statistic is a worker who was simply doing their job when negligence put them in harm’s way.
Common Causes of Construction Accidents
- Falls from scaffolding, ladders, and roofs
- Being struck by falling objects
- Electrocutions and electrical hazards
- Trench collapses and excavation accidents
- Machinery and equipment failures
- Unsafe worksite conditions
- Lack of protective gear or safety training
These accidents often leave victims with broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and other life-altering harm.
If you were hurt on a construction site, call (212) 858-0503 now. Our lawyers can explain your rights and help you take action.
Types of Construction Accidents We Handle
Hoisting Injuries & Falling Object Accidents
If you were struck by an object that was being hoisted, you may have a case. Our New York City construction accident lawyers have successfully represented workers injured by falling objects and in hoisting accidents. These cases often involve unsafe equipment, improper use of tag lines, or failures to secure loads.
Can you sue for a hoisting injury?
Yes. If you were injured by a falling or swinging object, you may be able to sue the contractor, property owner, or equipment operator responsible. New York’s Labor Laws and Industrial Code provide strong protections for construction workers in hoisting and falling object accidents.
Saw Accidents
Defective saws can cause catastrophic injuries, including traumatic amputations and loss of limbs. In many cases, a third party, such as a contractor or equipment manufacturer, may be liable. New York’s Industrial Code requires saws to be equipped with safety guards, yet some employers illegally disable these protections to speed up work.
Can you sue for a saw accident on a construction site?
Yes. Depending on the circumstances, you may have a claim against the site owner or the general contractor, or even the equipment manufacturer. New York law requires saws to have blade guards, and disabling them may constitute negligence.
Trench & Cave-In Accidents
Our construction accident attorneys have handled numerous cases involving trench collapses, cave-ins, and shifting ground accidents. Workers may be struck by excavators, crushed by collapsing walls, or hit by swinging loads when tag lines aren’t used. These cases often involve New York Industrial Code violations and negligent supervision.
Can you sue for a trench collapse or cave-in accident?
Yes. If proper shoring, sloping, or trench boxes weren’t used, injured workers may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. Liability may rest with the general contractor, subcontractor, or site owner.
Ladder & Scaffold Accidents
Falls from ladders and scaffolds are among the leading causes of construction site fatalities. According to the CDC and NIOSH, more than 300 workers die, and 20,000+ suffer serious injuries each year in falls from ladders, scaffolding, or roofs. Victims often face broken bones, spinal cord injuries, or traumatic brain injuries.
Can I bring a lawsuit after a scaffold or ladder fall?
Yes. Under New York’s “Scaffold Law” or “Ladder Law”(Labor Law 240), property owners and contractors can be held strictly liable if safety equipment like harnesses, guardrails, or scaffolds were not properly provided.
Heavy Equipment Accidents
Construction sites involve dangerous machinery such as bulldozers, backhoes, graders, and excavators. Our New York City and Westchester construction accident lawyers have represented workers injured by heavy equipment, including crushing accidents and struck-by incidents. These cases often require technical knowledge of OSHA and labor law standards.
Can I recover damages after a heavy equipment accident?
Yes. Injured workers may recover compensation if negligence, unsafe operation, or defective equipment contributed to the accident. Liability can extend to contractors, equipment owners, or manufacturers.
Slips, Trips & Falls
Construction workers face higher risks of slips, trips, and falls than most other professions. Tripping over debris, tangled cords, or loose materials can cause severe injuries. Our NYC and White Plains construction injury lawyers represent workers hurt by unsafe site conditions and negligent contractors.
Can I sue if I slip, trip, or fall on a job site?
Sometimes. Under Labor Law 200 and 241, violations of New York’s Industrial Code (such as leaving debris, cords, or materials in walkways) can form the basis of a personal injury claim in addition to workers’ comp.
Who Is Liable for a Construction Accident?
Determining liability after a construction accident in New York can be complicated, because multiple parties are often involved in a single project. Owners, developers, general contractors, and subcontractors each have legal responsibilities to maintain a safe worksite under New York Labor Laws 200, 240, and 241. When they fail to meet those duties, and a worker is injured, they can be held financially responsible. In addition, third parties, such as equipment manufacturers, engineers, or delivery companies, may also be liable if their negligence contributed to the accident.
Negligent Contractors and Subcontractors
Construction projects usually involve multiple contractors and subcontractors. When one of them fails to follow safety regulations, they can be held liable for resulting injuries.
Property Owners and Developers
Under New York Labor Law, property owners and developers are responsible for ensuring construction sites are reasonably safe. They can be sued directly for failing to protect workers from site dangerous conditions.
Employers and Third Parties
In most cases, New York workers cannot sue their direct employer because of the state’s workers’ compensation system. However, New York’s Labor Laws 200, 240, and 241 allow injured workers to bring claims against property owners, general contractors, and their agents who failed to provide a safe work environment. In addition, third parties, such as equipment manufacturers, site managers, or negligent drivers, may also share liability.
Government Entities
If a construction worker is injured on a public improvement project, municipal property, or construction for a public authority, such as the New York City Transit Authority or the Port Authority, claims can also be filed against government entities. Strict notice requirements apply, however.
Compensation Available in a New York Construction Accident Claim
When you’re injured on a construction site in New York, workers’ compensation benefits rarely cover the full cost of your losses. That’s why it’s critical to explore whether you also have a Labor Law claim or third-party liability case. These claims allow you to recover full personal injury damages, not just basic medical bills or partial wage replacement. With help from an experienced New York work accident lawyer, injured workers can pursue compensation that reflects the true financial, physical, and emotional toll of their injuries.
Medical Expenses
Injuries from construction accidents often require emergency treatment, surgeries, long hospital stays, and rehabilitation. Victims can recover past and future medical costs.
Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity
Construction injuries frequently prevent workers from returning to the same line of work. You may be entitled to lost income, as well as damages for diminished earning potential.
Pain and Suffering
Physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life are compensable damages in personal injury and third-party liability claims.
Wrongful Death Damages
If a construction accident results in a fatality, surviving family members can pursue wrongful death damages, including funeral expenses and loss of financial support.
Don’t let the insurance company undervalue your claim. Call (212) 858-0503 to speak with our New York construction accident lawyers today.
How Our New York Construction Accident Lawyers Can Help
At the Law Offices of Michael H. Joseph, we don’t just file claims for injured construction workers and see how they pan out. We fight to maximize your recovery.
Our team will:
- Investigate your accident by reviewing site records, OSHA reports, and witness statements
- Identify all liable parties beyond workers’ compensation coverage
- Negotiate aggressively with insurers and corporate defendants
- Take your case to trial if necessary to get you full and fair compensation
Our New York City office is only a short subway ride from the courts in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. In Westchester County, our White Plains office is just a short walk from the Westchester Supreme Court and White Plains Federal Courthouse. With offices near key courts in both NYC and Westchester, we are positioned to represent injured construction workers throughout the Bronx, Midtown Manhattan, and Brooklyn.
Why Choose the Law Offices of Michael H. Joseph?
- Decades of Experience: Our attorneys have been representing New York construction workers for more than 20 years.
- Proven Results: We have secured millions in settlements and verdicts for injured workers.
- Local Advantage: With offices in both Manhattan and White Plains, we understand the nuances of city and suburban construction cases.
- Client-Focused Approach: We put our clients first, keeping you informed and supported throughout the claims process.
2024
Mike Joseph is by far the most detailed, hardworking, no surrender and tenacious attorney I have ever met and worked with. I have been involved with many attorneys in business and personal matters. Nobody, nobody even comes close.
I was treated professionally and extremely happy with the ability Michael had on getting me the money I was owed. He is smart and efficient! I would use him again in a heartbeat. If he takes your case, you will be lucky!
Frequently Asked Questions About Construction Accidents in New York
Do New York’s Labor Laws favor injured workers?
Yes. New York Labor Law 240 (the “Scaffold Law” or “The Ladder Law”), Labor Law 200, and Labor Law 241 are specifically designed to hold owners and contractors accountable for unsafe conditions. These laws give workers powerful rights that don’t exist in most other states.
Can I sue my employer after a construction accident?
In most cases, direct employers are protected by workers’ compensation laws. However, you may still file a lawsuit against negligent property owners, contractors, subcontractors, or equipment manufacturers.
How long do I have to file a construction accident lawsuit in New York?
In New York, the deadline depends on the type of claim you’re filing.
- Public Job Site Claim: If you are injured on a job site owned by the City of New York, Westchester County, or any other municipality or public authority, you have to file a notice of claim within 90 days. You only have one year and ninety days to file a lawsuit against the municipality or public authority.
- Personal Injury/Labor Law Lawsuit: If you are pursuing a case under Labor Law 200, 240, or 241, you generally have 3 years from the date of the accident to file in court.
- Wrongful Death: If the accident was fatal, surviving family members typically have 2 years from the date of death to bring a wrongful death lawsuit.
Because deadlines are strict, it’s important to contact a New York construction accident lawyer as soon as possible after an injury.
Take Action Today
If you or a loved one was injured in a construction accident in New York City or White Plains, don’t wait. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
Call the Law Offices of Michael H. Joseph, PLLC, at (212) 858-0503.