(212) 285-3300
A fall on a construction site can upend your life in seconds. One minute you’re framing, roofing, or setting forms; the next you’re staring at hospital bills, missed paychecks, and a long rehab. At Lipsig, Freund & Wisell, PLLC, our New York City construction site lawyers will move quickly to protect you. We’ll secure photos and video, preserve site logs and safety plans, interview witnesses, and lock down the evidence before it disappears so your claim starts strong.
Call 212-285-3300 to request a free case review and learn how our fall attorneys can help.
Proven Results in Construction Fall Cases
Our track record in fall cases spans many trades and circumstances. Recent results include a $3 million recovery for a laborer who fell from an unsecured ladder and required multiple surgeries, as well as a $2.6 million recovery arising from another construction site fall.
We also secured $6 million during trial for a roofer injured in a fall, $5 million for a construction laborer hurt amid debris that violated New York’s safety rules, and $4.75 million for a plumber injured when an unsafe ladder twisted and collapsed – cases that demonstrate how carefully built evidence turns into life-changing compensation.
How We Prove What Went Wrong in Your Construction Site Fall
Construction fall claims succeed on details. We review site-specific safety plans, toolbox talks, subcontractor agreements, and inspection records. We also verify whether scaffolds were properly erected and planked, whether wheels were locked on rolling platforms, whether ladder heights allowed for overreaching, and whether anchor points were present where required. When necessary, we engage construction safety engineers and medical specialists to explain how the fall occurred and its impact on your work capacity, pain, and future care.
Common Hazards Behind a Fall
Across New York’s job sites, our New York City construction site attorneys repeatedly see the same preventable hazards: unstable or improperly supported ladders, missing guardrails, unmarked floor openings, and exposed rebar that can turn a fall into a catastrophic injury. Even the most careful workers can get hurt when equipment is defective or a platform is set up incorrectly.
Workers’ Compensation is Only the Beginning in Many Cases
Workers’ comp helps with medical bills and part of your wages, but it doesn’t cover everything you’ll lose after a serious fall. That’s why we also pursue third-party claims against owners, general contractors, subcontractors, property managers, or equipment providers when New York Labor Law or Industrial Code violations caused your injuries. Those claims can recover full lost income and benefits, future medical and rehabilitation costs, and compensation for pain, loss of mobility, and limits on daily life.
Compensation We Can Pursue
A thorough construction-fall case accounts for emergency care and surgeries, therapy and medications, durable medical equipment, and the cost of retraining if you can’t return to your trade. It also addresses the human impact – chronic pain, sleep problems, and the activities you’ve had to give up. We document these losses with medical records, wage and union benefit data, vocational analyses, and testimony from the people who know your before-and-after best.
Our New York City Construction Site Fall Lawyers Are Ready to Help
If you were injured in a ladder, scaffold, roof, or floor-opening fall anywhere in the five boroughs, speak with the New York City construction site fall lawyers at Lipsig Law. Use our online form or call 212-285-3300 to start your investigation immediately. We charge no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
What should I do after a construction site fall in New York City?
After a construction site fall, your first priority should be getting medical attention, even if your injuries don’t seem serious. Some injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and internal damage, may not be immediately apparent.
You should also report the accident to your employer as soon as possible and ensure an incident report is completed. If you’re able, take photographs of the accident scene, the hazardous condition that caused your fall, your injuries, and any equipment involved. Collect contact information from coworkers or witnesses and keep copies of your medical records.
Construction sites change quickly, and valuable evidence can disappear within days. Speaking with an experienced NYC construction site fall lawyer early can help preserve evidence and protect your legal rights.
Can I sue after a construction site fall if I’m receiving workers’ compensation in NYC?
Yes. While workers’ compensation generally prevents employees from suing their employer, many injured construction workers can pursue a third-party personal injury claim against another responsible party.
Depending on the circumstances, you may have a claim against:
- A property owner
- A general contractor
- A subcontractor
- An equipment manufacturer
- A maintenance company
- Another contractor working on the site
New York’s Labor Law Sections 240 and 241 provide important legal protections for construction workers injured in falls from heights or because of unsafe working conditions. These laws may allow you to recover damages that workers’ compensation does not cover, including pain and suffering and future lost earnings.
Who can be held liable for a construction site fall in New York City?
Several parties may share responsibility for a construction site fall depending on how the accident occurred.
Potentially liable parties include:
- Property owners
- General contractors
- Subcontractors
- Building managers
- Scaffold companies
- Ladder manufacturers
- Equipment suppliers
- Third-party contractors
Liability often arises when safety regulations are ignored, fall protection equipment is missing, scaffolding or ladders are defective, walkways are hazardous, or dangerous conditions are left unaddressed.
An experienced NYC construction site fall attorney can investigate the accident, identify every liable party, and pursue all available sources of compensation.
What compensation can I recover after a construction site fall in NYC?
A serious construction site fall can leave you facing extensive medical bills, months away from work, and long-term physical limitations.
Depending on your case, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospital bills
- Surgeries
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
If the accident resulted in the loss of a loved one, surviving family members may also have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under New York law.
The amount of compensation depends on the severity of your injuries, the circumstances of the accident, and the parties responsible.
How long do I have to file a construction site fall lawsuit in New York City?
New York law establishes deadlines for filing personal injury claims, so it’s important not to delay.
The deadline to file a lawsuit depends on several factors, including who is responsible for your injuries. If a city agency, public authority, or other government entity is involved, special notice requirements and much shorter deadlines may apply.
Waiting too long can make it more difficult to secure witness statements, obtain construction records, and preserve evidence from the accident scene. Consulting an experienced NYC construction site fall lawyer as soon as possible can help protect your right to pursue compensation.