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Construction Accidents

Construction accidents can happen in seconds, but the consequences can last a lifetime.

We’ve stood beside hundreds of injured New Yorkers, and we know the challenges you’re facing right now. You’re not alone.

On this page, you’ll find clear answers about premises liability laws in New York. We’ll walk you through the smart steps to take after an accident and explain your legal rights. According to the NYC Department of Buildings, construction-related injuries fell 30% in 2024, with 482 reported injuries. Still, every single case matters. If you’re looking for guidance on your specific situation, keep reading. This information might help you make the best choices for your case.

New York’s Scaffold Law Offers Powerful Protection

We leverage one of the strongest worker protection laws in the country.

New York Labor Law Section 240, known as the Scaffold Law, was enacted in 1938 to protect construction workers from gravity-related accidents. This law is unique because it imposes absolute liability on property owners and contractors. No other state has protection this strong.

Here’s what makes this law powerful: If you’re injured in a fall or struck by a falling object, the property owner or general contractor is liable, period. They don’t have to be negligent. The law simply requires they provide proper safety equipment like scaffolding, harnesses, ladders, and guardrails.

According to the Rockefeller Institute of Government, Labor Law 240 protections cost approximately $785 million annually in New York, but they save countless lives.

Who does this protect?

Labor Law Section 241 works alongside Section 240. It addresses ground-level construction hazards like trench collapses, equipment failures, and unsafe site conditions. These laws work together to hold negligent parties accountable and maximize your compensation.

Legal Rights and Steps After a Construction Accident

We move fast because evidence disappears quickly.

First, notify your employer immediately after any accident. This starts your workers’ compensation claim, which covers medical bills and partial wages regardless of who’s at fault.

Document everything right away:

These details prove what really happened and who’s responsible.

You have multiple paths to compensation: Workers’ compensation provides immediate coverage for medical care and a portion of lost wages. But it doesn’t cover pain and suffering or full wage replacement.

Third-party liability claims open the door to much larger settlements. If a general contractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer acted negligently, you can sue them directly. These claims cover full lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical needs.

New York’s Labor Law Sections 240 and 241 provide unique protections. Under Section 240, property owners and general contractors face absolute liability for gravity-related accidents. Under Section 241, they’re responsible for maintaining safe ground-level conditions.

If a fatal accident occurred, surviving family members can pursue wrongful death compensation. The personal representative of the estate has two years from the date of death to file this claim.

Our legal team handles the complicated parts so you can focus on healing. We investigate liability, gather expert testimony, negotiate with insurance companies, and take your case to trial if needed.

How Onyx Law Group Supports Construction Accident Victims

We start working on your case immediately.

Our team collects every piece of evidence: accident reports, medical records, photos, witness statements, and safety violation records. Every detail matters when we’re building your case.

Construction accident law is complex. You might have a straightforward workers’ compensation claim, or you might have grounds for a third-party lawsuit under Labor Law 240 or 241. The difference can mean tens of thousands, even millions, of additional dollars in compensation.

Here’s what we do for you:

If tragedy strikes and someone loses their life in an accident, we support families through wrongful death lawsuits. We understand the emotional weight of these cases and handle them with the sensitivity they deserve.

Our clients often share how our approach changed their lives. We listen, we fight hard, and we keep things clear at every step. You get a real person on the line every time you call, not a voicemail system.

The insurance companies and property owners have legal teams working against you from day one. You need someone fighting just as hard for your side.

Conclusion

Construction accidents turn lives upside down in an instant.

We’ve helped many New York workers and families get answers, fair compensation, and justice after devastating job-site injuries. Our track record speaks for itself, but more important than the results is how we treat you throughout the process.

At Onyx Law Group, we listen closely. We explain your options in plain language, not legal jargon. We fight aggressively for every dollar you deserve, whether through negotiations or in court.

Don’t wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses move. Security footage gets deleted. The statute of limitations starts running the day of your accident, and you have three years to file your claim. Waiting too long could cost you everything.

Call us today if you need help with a construction accident case. Our team is ready to stand by your side from your first call until you get the justice and compensation you deserve.