Construction Accident Lawyer Serving New York and New Jersey
Reviews Backed by Real Results
Our reviews don't stand alone. See the actual settlements behind the client experiences described above.
- $1,300,000 — Auto accident, Bronx, NY (spinal surgery)
- $1,100,000 — Auto accident, Ocean County, NJ (spinal surgery)
- $1,000,000 — Closed head injury, New York County
When a Job Site Injury Changes Everything, You Need the Right Legal Team
Construction work is one of the most physically demanding and dangerous occupations in the country. In New York, where high-rise development, infrastructure projects, and renovation work never slow down, the consequences of a job site accident can be catastrophic — broken bones, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, or worse. If you or a family member was hurt on a construction site, the legal landscape ahead is complicated, and the parties responsible will move quickly to protect themselves.
At IJA Law Group, we represent injured construction workers and their families across New York City, White Plains, and northern New Jersey. We take construction accident cases seriously because we understand what is at stake for you and your family.
Why Construction Accident Cases in New York Are Different from Other Injury Claims
New York has some of the strongest worker protections in the country when it comes to construction injuries. Labor Law Sections 200, 240, and 241 impose strict duties on property owners and general contractors to maintain safe work sites and provide proper safety equipment. Labor Law 240, often called the "Scaffold Law," holds owners and contractors absolutely liable for gravity-related injuries — falls from ladders, scaffolding collapses, and falling objects — regardless of any alleged worker negligence.
These statutes exist because the legislature recognized that workers have little control over the conditions imposed on them by owners and contractors. But asserting these protections requires an attorney who knows how to investigate the site, identify every responsible party, and build a case that withstands aggressive insurance defense. That is exactly what we do.
Common Causes of Construction Site Accidents We Handle
Construction accidents rarely happen by chance. Most result from preventable failures — inadequate safety planning, defective equipment, or pressure to move fast at the expense of worker safety. We handle cases involving:
- Falls from scaffolding, ladders, rooftops, and elevated platforms
- Scaffold collapses and defective rigging
- Struck-by accidents involving cranes, falling materials, and equipment
- Trench and excavation cave-ins
- Electrical accidents and electrocution
- Defective power tools and heavy machinery
- Inadequate or missing personal protective equipment
- Fires and explosions on job sites
- Third-party negligence by subcontractors or equipment manufacturers
If the cause of your injury is not listed here, contact us. The list of recognized construction accident claims in New York is broad, and we will tell you honestly whether you have a viable case.
Construction Accident Cases We Handle
One of the defining features of construction accident litigation in New York is the potential to pursue claims against multiple parties simultaneously. Your employer may carry workers' compensation insurance, but workers' compensation is rarely the only avenue available — and it is almost never sufficient to cover the full extent of a serious injury.
Depending on the facts of your case, we handle claims involving:
- Falls from height — scaffolding, ladders, rooftops, and elevated platforms covered under Labor Law 240
- Scaffold collapses and defective rigging — structural failures that should never happen with proper inspection and maintenance
- Struck-by accidents — cranes, falling materials, swinging loads, and out-of-control equipment
- Trench and excavation cave-ins — collapses caused by inadequate shoring or failure to follow OSHA standards
- Electrical accidents and electrocution — contact with live wires, faulty equipment, or unmarked hazards
- Defective power tools and heavy machinery — equipment failures that expose workers to serious harm
- Inadequate or missing personal protective equipment — employer and contractor failures to provide required safety gear
- Fires and explosions on job sites — incidents caused by improper handling of flammable materials or gas lines
- Slip, trip, and fall accidents at ground level — hazardous debris, uneven surfaces, and poorly maintained walkways
If your injury does not appear on this list, contact us anyway. Construction sites present a wide range of hazards, and we evaluate every case individually to identify every claim available under New York and New Jersey law.
Frequently Asked Questions About Construction Accident Claims in New York
Can I sue my employer if I was hurt on a construction site?
In most cases, New York workers' compensation law limits direct lawsuits against your direct employer. However, you may have strong claims against the general contractor, the property owner, subcontractors, and equipment manufacturers — parties who are not your employer but whose negligence contributed to your injury. These third-party claims can result in significantly larger recoveries than workers' compensation alone.In most cases, New York workers' compensation law limits direct lawsuits against your direct employer. However, you may have strong claims against the general contractor, the property owner, subcontractors, and equipment manufacturers — parties who are not your employer but whose negligence contributed to your injury. These third-party claims can result in significantly larger recoveries than workers' compensation alone.What is the Scaffold Law, and does it apply to my case?
New York Labor Law Section 240, known as the Scaffold Law, holds property owners and general contractors strictly liable for gravity-related injuries on construction sites — falls from heights and injuries caused by falling objects. If your injury falls into this category, the law does not allow the defense to shift blame onto you as a worker. An attorney can review your facts and confirm whether Section 240 applies.New York Labor Law Section 240, known as the Scaffold Law, holds property owners and general contractors strictly liable for gravity-related injuries on construction sites — falls from heights and injuries caused by falling objects. If your injury falls into this category, the law does not allow the defense to shift blame onto you as a worker. An attorney can review your facts and confirm whether Section 240 applies.How long do I have to file a construction accident lawsuit in New York?
The general statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New York is three years from the date of the accident. However, if a government entity owns or controls the property, you may have as little as 90 days to file a notice of claim. Do not wait to consult an attorney — early deadlines can permanently bar your right to recover.The general statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New York is three years from the date of the accident. However, if a government entity owns or controls the property, you may have as little as 90 days to file a notice of claim. Do not wait to consult an attorney — early deadlines can permanently bar your right to recover.What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault — but not eliminated. Even if you bear some responsibility for what happened, you may still be entitled to substantial compensation. The defense will attempt to maximize your assigned fault to minimize their payout, which is precisely why experienced legal representation matters.New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault — but not eliminated. Even if you bear some responsibility for what happened, you may still be entitled to substantial compensation. The defense will attempt to maximize your assigned fault to minimize their payout, which is precisely why experienced legal representation matters.What compensation can I recover after a construction accident?
Depending on the severity of your injuries and the strength of your claims, you may be entitled to recover medical expenses — past and future — lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and in cases of gross negligence, potentially punitive damages. We evaluate every category of loss when we assess your case.Depending on the severity of your injuries and the strength of your claims, you may be entitled to recover medical expenses — past and future — lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and in cases of gross negligence, potentially punitive damages. We evaluate every category of loss when we assess your case.
Serving Injured Construction Workers Across New York and New Jersey
Our office is located at 445 Hamilton Avenue in White Plains, and we represent construction accident victims throughout the region. We serve clients in White Plains, the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and Nyack, as well as injured workers in Essex County, Bergen County, and Hudson County in New Jersey.
You pay nothing unless we recover for you. Every construction accident case we take is handled on a contingency fee basis, so cost is never a barrier to getting the representation you deserve. Frank Filopei, a Top 100 Personal Injury Attorney and Metro Area Rising Star, personally handles serious injury cases — you will not be passed off to a junior associate when your case matters most.
If you were injured on a job site, contact us today for a free consultation. Call, text, or fill out our contact form, and someone from our team will respond promptly. When you reach us, you reach us directly.
Serving White Plains, the Bronx, Queens, New York County, Nyack, and northern New Jersey, including, but not limited to Essex County, Bergen County, Hudson County. Free consultations. Spanish-speaking service available.
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