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At Lipsig, Freund & Wisell, PLLC, our New York City personal injury attorneys have been fighting for accident victims for decades—delivering proven results and dedicated legal representation in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.

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Can You Sue After Being Injured by a Crane Accident in New York City?

November 01, 2026

| Construction Accidents

Tower cranes over Hudson Yards, Midtown, and Long Island City swing steel and concrete above crowded streets every workday. When one fails, the workers below and the people on the sidewalk can both get hurt, and many of them have the right to sue.

Whether you were on the crew or on the sidewalk, the question for Lipsig, Freund & Wisell, PLLC is which companies were involved in the lift. Each one goes on the list our NYC construction accident attorney reviews.

Can You Sue for a Crane Collapse in Manhattan?

Most injured crane workers can, though the case usually names someone other than their employer. Workers’ comp pays for treatment and a share of your wages, while a third-party lawsuit seeks to hold other companies on the site liable. Only that lawsuit can seek money for pain and suffering.

Pedestrians hit by falling debris on a Midtown sidewalk are in a different spot. Workers’ comp doesn’t apply to them, so they can sue the responsible companies directly.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Crane Accident?

Large cranes bring many businesses onto one site. Depending on what went wrong, a lawsuit may name:

A single collapse can point to more than one of them. A snapped cable might be traced back to the rigger, while a cracked boom might be traced back to the manufacturer.

Injuries Common in NYC Crane Accidents

A dropped load or falling boom hits with enormous force. Common results include:

When a crane accident takes a life, the family may bring a wrongful death claim. Family members generally have two years from the date of death to file.

NYC Crane Rules That Help Prove Fault

Anyone running a crane in the city needs a Hoisting Machine Operator license from the NYC Department of Buildings. Federal OSHA rules also require a competent person to inspect the crane before each shift. An unlicensed operator or a skipped inspection can show that a company cut corners.

Can You File Workers’ Comp and a Lawsuit at the Same Time?

You can collect workers’ comp benefits while your lawsuit moves forward in the New York State Supreme Court. If you win, the comp insurer may ask to be paid back from part of your recovery.

New York generally gives you three years to sue over a crane injury. If the city or a public agency owns the project, a notice of claim is generally due within 90 days.

Bring Your Crane Case to Our NYC Construction Accident Attorney

After a collapse, the companies involved hold the inspection logs, load charts, and operator records. Our attorneys can demand those files early, before the crane is taken apart or repaired.

Our trial lawyers have spent over 80 years combined fighting for injured New Yorkers. Book a free, confidential case evaluation online, or call 212-285-3300.