Manhattan Construction Accident Lawyers

Injured in a Construction Accident in Manhattan?

Construction workers are exposed to countless risks and hazards every day. The use of heavy machinery, power tools, proximity to electrical power, and work performed at great heights make the construction business extremely dangerous.

They also have to deal with daily challenges and may share a worksite with fellow employees or contractors who, through acts of negligence, cause serious injuries or death.

At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, our law firm is proud to represent Manhattan's unsung heroes—construction workers who have risked their lives building homes, offices, and other structures we use, rely on, and enjoy a daily basis. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured while working on a construction site, we urge you to contact our firm at (212) 986-7353 to speak with us about your case.

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Are You in Need of a Manhattan Construction Accident Lawyer?

Workers' compensation benefits offer assistance with medical bills and partial wage replacement, but it isn't enough money to fully cover your expenses after a construction accident in Manhattan.

If you were injured in a construction site accident, Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, will find out if you're eligible to receive additional compensation to maximize the settlement you receive.

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Why Choose Us Over Other Manhattan Construction Accident Law Firms?

For over 50 years, our Manhattan construction accident attorneys at WRSMH have repeatedly seen the terrible impact a serious injury brings to the lives, health, and well-being of innocent workers—and we've successfully helped them get justice. In fact, we're one of the most successful personal injury law firms in the United States. We won't let anyone stop us from fighting for our clients.

Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP | Construction Accident Lawyers in Manhattan

• We offer a free initial case consultation.
• We are AV Premium Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
• We have won over $2 billion for our clients!
• We are recognized as one of the Best Law Firms by U.S. News & World Report.
• We are honored by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys™ as one of the top law firms in New York City.
• Several of our attorneys belong to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

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Do You Have a Construction Accident Case?

When you meet with the Manhattan construction accident attorneys at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, we'll go over your options for pursuing compensation. This may include a third-party lawsuit that covers situations where a third party contributed to the accident, including:

• Property owners who are responsible for ensuring the safety of the construction site.
• Independent contractors if their actions or negligence contributed to the accident.
• Equipment vendors who are responsible for providing safe and functional equipment.
• Manufacturers of defective equipment if equipment defects contributed to the accident.
• Drivers of vehicles near or at the accident site if they cause any injuries.

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What Steps Are Involved in Filing a Claim for a Construction Accident?

Filing a workers' compensation claim is an essential step for you to take after an accident. First, you should notify your employer about the accident. Next, complete the Employee Claim Form (Form C-3) and submit it to the New York Workers' Compensation Board. You'll want to include all medical and accident-related documents with your submission.

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Types of Construction Accidents

Construction is one of the busiest industries in Manhattan and other boroughs, with thousands of construction workers involved in projects of all sizes across the region.

Sadly, dangerous or deadly accidents on building sites throughout Manhattan are not rare. In fact, OSHA (U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration) acknowledges the most common types of accidents that statistically most often lead to death:

• Falls: Falls from heights are one of the leading causes of serious or fatal injuries on construction sites. While Manhattan construction projects are subject to very strict city and state regulations, not all construction firms follow safety regulations. Severe or fatal injuries can result from falls from heights, scaffolding falls, falls through floors or roof openings, or even what may seem like a simple trip and fall.
• Struck by an object: Construction workers can be struck by a flying, falling, swinging, or rolling object. One of the most common "struck by" accidents is vehicle-related. Other "struck by" injuries can occur due to improperly stacked materials, flying particles, improperly controlled power tools, materials falling, dropped tools, compressed air, nails from nail guns, or the collapse of a structure with poor bracing or construction. Any of these incidents, or other similar incidents, can leave a construction worker suffering permanent physical damage, unable to work, or worse.
• Electrocutions: Electrical accidents are, unfortunately, fairly common on Manhattan construction sites. Burns, shock, injuries from an arc flash or blast, or contact with live electricity can leave a worker with permanent physical damage, disfiguring burns, and unable to continue to work for months, years, or a lifetime.
• Caught in or between: Construction workers can be seriously or fatally injured by being squeezed, caught, crushed, pinched, or compressed between two objects on a construction site. Among other risks, these dangerous or fatal accidents can involve trench cave-ins, clothing or body parts being pulled into machinery, or being compressed between moving equipment, such as a forklift, and stationary objects.
• Crane accident. These often occur due to mechanical failure. These can result from poor maintenance or overlooked issues. Regular inspections identify and resolve potential problems before they escalate. Additionally, proper training for crane operators ensures construction safety, as it encompasses essential skills, qualifications, and ongoing education to keep operators up-to-date with the latest safety practices.

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Common Construction Accident Injuries in Manhattan

The consequences of a construction accident can last a lifetime. A construction worker can face the future unable to earn a living, permanently disabled and without the ability to support themselves or their families. Some of the most common serious or catastrophic injuries sustained on construction sites include but are not limited to:

• Brain injuries: Traumatic brain injuries can lead to permanent physical, mental, and emotional damage, leaving the injured person unable to function, enjoy life, or perform daily tasks without assistance, in a coma or a vegetative condition.
• Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries are among the most debilitating of all construction injuries, leaving workers with serious physical disabilities, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia, the inability to work, function normally in life, or experience the quality of life enjoyed before the accident.
• Amputations: Loss of an arm, hand, foot, or leg permanently reduces the quality of life of an injured worker, who will face a long and grueling rehabilitation, the use of prosthetics, and a future of a limited ability to work and earn a living.
• Internal injuries: Internal injuries may include internal bleeding, rib and upper body injuries, organ damage, blood vessel ruptures, and other serious injuries that are difficult to resolve. These occur as the result of penetrations from objects or the blunt trauma from being caught in between or crush injuries.
• Severe burns: Contact with live electricity, whether by arcing or contact with the body or equipment, often causes severe disfiguring burns, which require extensive medical attention and often lead to permanent disabilities.
• Disfiguring injuries: When the face or other visible area is seriously injured, whether by burns, cuts, lacerations, or a crush incident, the person faces both physical and emotional damage.

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How a Construction Accident Attorney Can Help

WRSMH has an impressive track record of winning cases for injured workers in the construction industry. Our attorneys will handle all the legal requirements so you can focus on taking care of yourself. We offer emotional support to help you deal with the distress and trauma and also provide the following legal services:

• Free consultation
• Investigating the accident
• Filing claims against liable parties
• Negotiating settlement offers
• Taking your case to court, if necessary

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What to Do After a Construction Accident in Manhattan

If you're involved in a construction accident, taking the right steps is crucial for protecting your rights and building a strong case:

1. Seek medical attention: Document all injuries and treatments received.
2. Report the accident: Notify your employer and ensure the accident is officially recorded.
3. Gather evidence: Collect evidence from the scene, such as photographs and witness contact information, to support your claims.
4. Call WRSMH: Reach out to an experienced construction accident law firm to discuss your options and determine the best course of action.

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Statute of Limitations—Your Right to Pursue Compensation

Under NY state law, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent party for a construction site accident. It is necessary to file the lawsuit within the time limit outlined in law, or you could lose your right to seek compensation for damages. While an injured construction worker has the right to workers' compensation benefits, these benefits are rarely enough, and valid claims may be denied, leaving you without resources to live.

A full evaluation of the incident will reveal whether a third-party lawsuit could be filed against another party on the job site. Our firm assists with workers' compensation challenges such as denied claims, wrongful death claims, and cases of gross negligence on the part of an employer.

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Types of Damages in Construction Accidents

The types of damages pursued in a lawsuit will include:

• Economic Damages: The actual financial losses associated with the injuries, including lost wages, cost of medical care, future estimated financial losses, loss of earning capacity, and other hard costs.
• Non-Economic Damages: Often the largest percentage of an injury claim, these damages reflect the pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and other personal losses resulting from the injury.

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Legal Representation for Construction Workers in Manhattan

At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, our Manhattan personal injury lawyers have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in damages for our clients over our years in practice.

Our law firm is highly regarded in the legal field and widely recognized for its achievements in construction accident lawsuits and claims. If you have been injured while working as a bricklayer, carpenter, or other type of construction worker, call WRSMH at (212) 986-7353 to discuss your case.

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What Labor Laws Protect Manhattan Construction Workers?

Construction workers' rights are crucial for maintaining safety on job sites. Construction companies and other responsible parties must take measures to provide a safe working environment and eliminate conditions that create accidents. More specifically, New York labor laws provide the legal framework for protecting workers and seeking compensation if you were injured on the job.

Labor Law 200

Labor Law 200 emphasizes the need for safe work conditions. It's often referred to as the general duty clause for employers. The law mandates that all job sites must be free from hazards that could cause harm to workers.

Employers are responsible for identifying potential dangers and rectifying them promptly. This includes proper maintenance of equipment and ensuring that the work area is safe.

Labor Law 240

Labor Law 240, commonly known as the Scaffold Law, plays a key role in preventing fall-related injuries in construction. It requires strict adherence to safety measures for construction workers working at heights. The law specifies that employers must provide proper safety equipment, such as harnesses and guardrails.

Labor Law 241

Labor Law 241 deals with construction, demolition, and excavation safety standards, setting forth detailed requirements for construction site safety. The law outlines various safety protocols, including proper signage, safe handling of equipment, and protective gear for workers. Employers must adhere to these standards to ensure a safe working environment.

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Some of Our Construction Accident Case Results

$1.5 Million - Construction Worker Injured in Fall From Scaffold

WRSMH obtained at settlement at trial in the amount of $1.5 million on behalf of our client, a 33-year-old Brooklyn construction worker. Our client was performing work in connection with a major renovation project on a building in the Bronx. He fell off a scaffold outside of the building, sustaining injuries to his neck and shoulder. The defendant, the owner of the building, disputed the plaintiff’s claims. The defense claimed that the plaintiff was specifically told to perform his work inside of the building, that he had been provided with adequate safety equipment inside the building, and that he ignored these instructions and chose to use what he knew was an unsafe scaffold outside of the building. The defense further claimed that the plaintiff had made a full recovery and returned to work shortly after the accident. The case was settled at trial for $1.5 million.

$1.6 Million - Construction Worker Falls from Ladder

WRSMH attorney, Kenneth J. Halperin, secured a $1,600,000 settlement for our client, a 55-year-old construction worker. Our client was injured after falling from a ladder when a pipe he was cutting fell and caused the ladder to collapse. The firm demonstrated that the general contractor neglected to adhere to safety standards, such as providing clamps to prevent pipe falls and ensuring the availability of a co-worker or safety devices to stabilize the ladder. The accident resulted in the client sustaining injuries that included a fractured wrist, a herniated disc, and a torn knee ligament, all of which required surgeries.

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What Our Clients Have to Say About Us

"They Truly Perform Life-Changing Work" - Ariel Rueda (5-Star Google Review)

I am/was a client at this firm, due to me being my daughter's legal representation. I am beyond blessed for Mr. Goldblum, Constantine, and the rest of the firm. My daughter won her case. They have my blessing and best wishes forever. I will always recommend this firm. May I help them the way they helped my daughter. They truly perform life-changing work.

"The Best Law Firm in New York City" -Jason Carpena (5-Star Google Review)

The [Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP] law firm is the best law firm in New York City—I put my word as a man on this. I needed a spinal fusion and was in pain, but was scared to go through with it. Joseph went above and beyond his duty as a lawyer and called me in the middle of the night to console me [and] tell me he understood. I got the surgery and feel great! Thanks to the prestigious doctor Andrew Cordiale that Joseph referred me to. After the surgery, Joseph reached out to check on me […] this is someone who has a passion for what he does and doesn't only see dollar signs in people. If you read this review, believe me: this man knows what he's doing.

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Other Locations We Serve in New York

• Bronx
• Brooklyn
• New York City
• Queens
• Staten Island

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Construction Accident FAQs

What Should I Do If I've Been Injured on the Job in New York?

See a doctor right away and inform your supervisor about the accident. Take pictures of the accident site and include any hazards. Get contact information from any witnesses and report the accident to the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB).

Can Family Members Sue for Wrongful Death After a Construction Accident?

Yes. If your loved one passed away due to a construction site accident, we could go over your options for seeking compensation to cover burial and funeral costs, hospital bills, loss of financial support, and other considerations.

What Type of Third Parties Can Be Liable for My Injuries?

Equipment vendors, property owners, drivers, contractors, manufacturers of defective equipment, and other third parties may be liable for your injuries.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Construction Accident Lawyer in Manhattan, New York?

It won't cost you a penny to hire WRSHM, and you won't owe us anything unless we win you a settlement.

Should I Contact a Lawyer Even if I'm Covered by Workers' Compensation?

Yes. Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, can tell you if you're eligible to receive compensation beyond your workers' comp benefits by filing a third-party lawsuit.

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Additional Information

• Manhattan Renovation Sites: A Growing Source of Construction Accidents
• Could AI Have Spotted the Risk Before the Midtown Manhattan Crane Collapse? A Legal Perspective