NYC Ladder Accident Attorneys

Helping Construction Workers Injured by Ladders in New York City

infographic construction accident safety

Ladders may be necessary equipment for many construction workers, especially when performing jobs such as painting, roofing, and electrical work. Ladders, however, can present a very real danger on a job site, especially when they are improperly placed or secured. Even a minor fall from a ladder can result in long-term consequences, such as a disability. Using ladders safely is the responsibility of everyone at a site - when someone acts negligently, serious injuries can occur.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to an accident involving a ladder, don’t suffer in silence. Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, has many years of experience fighting for the rights of construction workers injured on the job, including falls from ladders. Our team of New York City ladder accident lawyers can investigate your case and advocate for proper compensation for you and your family. Call (212) 986-7353 to schedule a free consultation and tell us what happened so we can discuss your options and make sure your rights are protected.

Are You in Need of a New York City Ladder Accident Lawyer?

New York has some of the most protective construction worker laws in the country, particularly when it comes to falls from heights. But the legal process for seeking justice is anything but simple. Injured workers often find themselves overwhelmed, juggling medical appointments, time off work, and pressure from employers or insurers.

Asserting your rights requires legal skill, evidence collection, and a team that knows the laws inside and out. That's where WRSMH comes in, with more than five decades of experience advocating for construction workers and laborers throughout New York City.

Whether you were installing drywall, repairing a ceiling, or doing electrical work when the accident happened, we can help protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Why Choose Us Over Other NYC Ladder Accident Lawyers?

Over 50 Years of Experience: We have been fighting for injured workers since the 1970s.
Over $2 Billion Recovered for Clients: Our track record includes some of the largest verdicts and settlements in New York.
Recognized by U.S. News & World Report: Named among the Best Law Firms for personal injury litigation.
Perfect Avvo Rating: Our firm holds a 10.0 Superb rating on Avvo.
Top 10 Ranking for Client Satisfaction: Honored by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys™.
Super Lawyers Recognition: Several of our attorneys are listed based on independent research and peer reviews.

Common Accidents Involving Ladders

Portable ladders, meaning ladders that can be moved, are designed for very specific tasks. Where a stepladder might be useful for reaching a ceiling, an extension ladder may be necessary to paint the side of a building. If a worker is supplied with the wrong type of ladder for a given task, he is put at risk of suffering a serious injury. In addition, if the ladder in question is faulty or damaged, it could collapse underneath a worker. While workers and employers should always follow OSHA ladder safety guidelines, serious accidents occur every day due to the actions of other workers, property owners, and manufacturers.

Some common types of ladder accidents include:

Falls: Falling off a ladder can have long-term consequences for the victim. How high up the person was will impact how serious the injuries are, though head injuries from a fall of any height can be traumatic, even fatal. Falls can occur in a wide variety of situations, such as if an extension ladder is not secured against a structure, the ladder’s steps are slippery, or the ladder is too short and a worker had to stretch to complete a task.
Falling objects: Construction workers routinely place other objects onto ladders, including hand-held tools, buckets, and work materials. If these objects are dropped or knocked off a ladder, people below and around the ladder can be struck and injured. Workers on ladders can also be struck by falling objects, such as a dropped power tool.
Ladders tipping over: Sometimes, the ladder itself becomes unstable and falls over. This may be because the ladder was placed on an unsafe surface, it was hit by heavy machinery, or it was not secured to a structure. Anyone on or near the ladder can be injured when this happens.
Improper Ladder Use: Ladders should be properly put in place and stable before workers use them. Using a ladder that is too short for a given task or placing one on an uneven surface can make it unstable. Each ladder also has specific height and weight limits, and if a worker is supplied with the wrong type of ladder, he may be inadvertently injured in an accident. Ladders should also have anti-slip guards to prevent falls, but if the steps of a ladder are wet, have paint on them, or are dirty, that could cause workers to lose their balance as well.
Defective Ladders: Ladders can become unstable due to overuse, poor maintenance, or bad design. For example, a rusty ladder may be difficult to fully open, meaning it is harder to secure on the ground. Or the legs of the ladder might be uneven, and it could wobble when a worker climbs it.
Direct contact: Due to the large size and awkward weight of ladders, they can be dangerous even when being transported. Workers who do not follow proper precautions and safety rules when carrying a ladder can harm others if they are not careful. The injuries from such carelessness can be very serious, often resulting in head trauma.

Legal Protections Under New York City Labor Laws

New York state law recognizes the dangers of working at heights and places strict responsibilities on property owners, contractors, and employers to ensure worker safety.

The most important protections come from New York Labor Law §240, often called the Scaffold Law, which statute requires contractors and property owners (except for owners of one- or two-family homes who do not direct or control the work) to provide adequate safety equipment for workers performing tasks at elevated heights. This includes secure, properly functioning ladders.

If a ladder is defective, not properly secured, or unsuitable for the task, and a worker falls as a result, the responsible parties can be held strictly liable for the injuries, meaning the worker does not need to prove negligence to recover compensation.

Labor Law §241 mandates that all areas where construction, excavation, or demolition work is performed be arranged and conducted in a safe manner. The law requires compliance with the rules of the New York State Industrial Code, which includes specific provisions on ladder safety.

Labor Law §200, the state's general workplace safety law, also requires that work areas be maintained in a safe condition. So if a ladder accident results from a hazard that the employer or property owner knew about—or should have known about—they can be liable under this statute.

Injuries from Ladder Accidents

construction safety infographic on fall hazards

The types of injuries that occur in ladder accidents usually depend on the nature of the accident and the ground below. Someone falling from a ladder will be harmed differently than another person struck by a falling hammer or paint bucket. With that in mind, injuries from ladder accidents often include:

Broken bones
Soft tissue damage
Spinal cord injuries
Traumatic brain injuries
Facial injuries
Internal injuries
Neck and shoulder injuries
Lacerations and bruises

Compensation Available for NYC Ladder Injury Victims

If you've suffered injuries in a ladder accident, your losses likely extend far beyond immediate medical bills. Our attorneys will evaluate every aspect of your case to pursue full and fair compensation, which may include:

Medical Expenses: Current and future treatment, hospital stays, rehabilitation, surgeries, and more.
Lost Income: Wages lost while you recover and diminished future earning capacity due to your injury.
Pain and Suffering: Physical discomfort, emotional distress, and mental anguish.
Disfigurement or Permanent Disability: Long-term or life-altering injuries are considered in settlement and verdict valuations.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injury has impacted your ability to participate in activities or live independently.
Wrongful Death Damages: If a loved one was killed in a ladder accident, certain family members may be entitled to compensation for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and companionship.

Negligence and Liability

construction safety infographic prevent falls

In ladder fall accidents, employers often blame the victim for being "clumsy" or not paying attention while on a ladder. The reality, however, is that many factors can cause these kinds of accidents, including improper maintenance, failing to replace defective ladders, improper safety training, or negligence by supervisors or other workers on a job site. In most cases, if you were injured while performing your duties at a construction site, you may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim.

While many workers in New York City can benefit from a workers’ compensation claim after a ladder accident, under certain circumstances, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim. In a personal injury claim, you may be able to receive significantly more in compensation, but you cannot file a claim against your employer if you receive workers’ compensation. However, if you can prove a third-party was negligent, thus liable for your injury, you may be able to file a New York personal injury claim against that person or group.

Negligence means that someone acted in a way that goes against what a reasonable person would have done in the same situation. Liability means that the act of negligence directly contributed to someone else’s injuries. In our experience, the parties that you can hold accountable for a ladder accident in a personal injury claim include:

Independent Contractors: Typically, if another employee at your construction company injures you in an accident, you are barred from filing a claim against them under New York workers’ compensation laws. However, if you were injured by an independent contractor, you can file a claim against them. For example, if an independent contractor caused your ladder to collapse during a demolition or while moving equipment, then you could file a third-party claim.
Property Owners: Property owners are responsible for making sure a job site is safe and secure for construction workers to complete their duties. If a property owner did not warn workers about a weak deck before the workers placed their ladders against it and the supports broke, causing the ladder to collapse, then the property owner would be liable for any injuries suffered by the workers.
Product Manufacturers: Product manufacturers have a certain amount of responsibility toward their customers, including construction workers. If a ladder manufacturer or designer created a faulty product that was prone to collapsing, then anyone injured in the collapse could file a product liability claim for compensation.

Discovering what truly caused an accident and proving liability is no small task, which is why you deserve to have an experienced NYC construction injury lawyer by your side.

Call a NYC Ladder Injury Lawyer When You've Been Hurt

A serious ladder accident is traumatic and can leave you in chronic pain, feeling depressed and isolated from friends and family—but you are not alone. There are people who care and who will fight to help you recover from your injuries.

Call Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, at (212) 986-7353 and tell us what happened in a free consultation. If we take your case, you owe us nothing unless we get you fair compensation for your injuries and other losses.

Other Locations We Serve in New York

Ladder Accident FAQs

Who is liable for a ladder accident on a construction site?

Depending on the circumstances, liability may fall on general contractors, property owners, subcontractors, or ladder manufacturers. Under NY Labor Law §240, owners and contractors can be held strictly liable for elevation-related injuries involving ladders.

Do I need to be a union worker to file a claim in NYC?

No. Both union and non-union workers have rights under New York labor laws and can pursue compensation for injuries sustained on the job.

What if I was using a ladder that wasn't provided by my employer?

You may still be entitled to compensation. For example, if the ladder was unsafe, improperly maintained, or otherwise failed to meet safety requirements, the party responsible for the site's safety could be liable.

What kind of injuries are common in ladder falls?

Ladder falls can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal bleeding, and even death. These are often severe and life-altering, requiring long-term medical care and recovery.

Is workers' compensation my only option?

Not necessarily. If your injury was caused by a third party, such as a property owner or contractor, you may also have grounds for a separate personal injury lawsuit in NYC, which can result in higher compensation than workers' comp alone.

How long do I have to file a ladder accident lawsuit in New York City?

The statute of limitations for most personal injury claims in New York is three years, but certain exceptions apply. For example, if you're filing against a government entity, the time to act may be significantly shorter. That's why it's crucial to speak with an attorney immediately to preserve your rights.

How much does it cost to hire WRSMH?

There is no upfront cost. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we secure compensation for you. We also offer free consultations.