New York City’s impressive skyline is built on the backs of skilled construction workers, but they are operating in one of the most dangerous environments in the country. Every year, hundreds of workers suffer life-changing injuries at local construction sites.
Traumatic amputation is one of the most devastating things that can happen to a construction worker. These accidents may result in permanent loss of earning capacity and overwhelming financial hardship.
The NYC construction accident lawyers at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP understand the serious challenges that workers face after traumatic amputation. Our attorneys have spent more than 50 years advocating for injured New Yorkers; holding construction companies, contractors, and property owners accountable under New York labor law.
Construction Amputations in NYC
In a city that never stops building, construction workers face constant risk. These hazards are amplified by the pressure to complete projects quickly and companies that don’t provide the legally required oversight.
In many cases, severe injuries are caused by inadequate safety measures that result in unguarded power tools, faulty cranes, defective hoists, improperly maintained saws, and other preventable hazards.
According to DOB accident reports, traumatic amputations often happen during:
- Crane operation or rigging
- Scaffolding collapses
- Forklift or man-lift incidents
- Mechanical failure of hydraulic tools
- Falls from heights resulting in crushed limbs
The Legal Importance of OSHA and DOB Records
In many instances, traumatic amputation could have been avoided if employers followed OSHA safety regulations and NYC building code requirements. In amputation cases, proving liability requires demonstrating that a safety failure occurred. This is where OSHA safety violations and DOB accident reports come into play.
When creating an injury claim, our construction accident attorneys conduct a full investigation into the employer’s compliance history, prior complaints, inspection records, and violations issued before or after the incident. Evidence may include:
- OSHA violations, which can demonstrate a pattern of negligence or failure to train employees properly
- DOB reports that may uncover code violations, unpermitted work, or ignored stop-work orders
- Site safety logs, contractor records, and internal communications that can help identify the negligent party or parties
Our legal team regularly works with construction safety experts, engineers, and former OSHA compliance officers to identify how the accident happened and who failed to protect workers.
New York City Construction Law
New York law offers some of the strongest legal protections for construction workers in the country. These laws hold owners, general contractors, and agents strictly liable when their failures cause harm.
The Scaffold Law
Labor Law 240(1) protects workers from falls and falling objects. If a fall-related injury causes a crush or traumatic amputation, the contractor or owner may be strictly liable, even if they were not directly supervising the work.
Protection Against Unsafe Equipment
Labor Law 241(6) requires compliance with specific Industrial Code rules, including guarding power tools and ensuring safe operation of heavy machinery. Violations of these rules are strong grounds for legal action.
General Duty to Provide Safe Work Environment
Labor Law 200 covers broader hazards such as unsafe work practices, debris, or poorly maintained workspaces.
What Causes Traumatic Amputation on Construction Sites?
Amputation injuries can happen in an instant, but their consequences last a lifetime. Some of the most common causes of construction amputations in include:
- Unguarded machinery (e.g., saws, drills, conveyors)
- Caught-in/between accidents with cranes or trucks
- Tool or equipment malfunctions caused by lack of maintenance
- Falling objects or collapsing scaffolds crushing limbs
- Electrocution or explosion-related injuries requiring surgical amputation
- Hoist and pulley failures resulting in crushed extremities
Damages Available in Third-Part Lawsuits
Traumatic amputations are catastrophic injuries because they permanently change the way a person lives and works. Victims often face multiple surgeries, prosthetic devices, psychological trauma, and long-term medical costs.
A successful third-party claim or lawsuit may provide significant compensation beyond your workers’ comp benefits.
Medical Expenses
When you add up emergency care, surgeries, physical therapy, prosthetics, and long-term rehabilitation, costs can be astronomical over a lifetime.
Lost Wage Benefits
Construction workers typically earn high hourly wages. A traumatic amputation may require temporary leave or prevent them from returning to the trade altogether. Our attorneys fight for lost current income and future earning potential. We can also seek damages for job retraining where appropriate.
Pain and Suffering
Courts recognize the lifelong physical and emotional toll of an amputation. Chronic pain, depression, PTSD, and phantom limb syndrome are all common among survivors.
Disfigurement and Loss of Enjoyment of Life
These injuries alter how a person appears or functions and often result in additional damages related to relationships, recreation, and daily routines.
Out-of-Pocket Costs
Out-of-pockets costs include home modifications (e.g., wheelchair ramps), travelling to meet with medical specialists, and regular prosthetic upgrades not covered by insurance.
Reasons to Choose Our Firm
At WRSMH, we prepare every case for trial, and we push back against stingy insurance companies with overwhelming evidence, high-caliber expert testimony, and strategic courtroom advocacy. We understand how to leverage DOB reports, expert testimony, and OSHA safety violations to prove negligence and maximize recovery.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Over $2 billion recovered for injured New Yorkers
- Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Law Firms
- Decades of experience handling high-value, catastrophic construction cases
What to Do After a Traumatic Amputation Occurs
If you suffered an amputation in New York City due to a construction site injury, you should:
- Get immediate medical attention.
- Report the injury to your supervisor or site safety officer.
- Preserve your gear, boots, and tools.
- Contact a construction attorney who understands NYC labor law and catastrophic injuries.
Speak With a Trusted NYC Construction Injury Attorney
Let Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP put our experience to work for you. Our attorneys have the legal resources and courtroom skills to take on construction companies, site managers, property owners, equipment manufacturers, negligent contractors, and their insurance companies. And we know how to win.
Call (212) 986-7353 today for a free consultation.