What You Need To Know About NY Labor Laws
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Watch VideoI’ve Just Been Injured In a Construction Site Accident in NYC: What Do I Need to Know?
How Do I Pay My Medical Bills and Support Myself and/or My Family?
If a construction site accident occurs on the job, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation laws give you the right to cash payments for lost wages and reimbursement for all medical expenses incurred due to a workplace accident.
However, these benefits may be wholly inadequate. The payments will diminish as time goes on and will ultimately be cut off. In addition, the reimbursement of lost wages is far less than what the salary of the worker was before the accident happened.
Can I Bring a Lawsuit for My Injuries in New York?
Yes. In New York, injured construction workers can bring a lawsuit against a property owner or other negligent parties. To prevail in a legal claim, a construction worker’s lawyer must prove that the accident occurred because of a violation of one of New York’s construction site safety laws. Here are three key state laws that apply to your construction site accident:
- New York Labor Law Section 240(1): Known as the ‘Scaffolding Law’, Labor Law 240(1) allows construction workers to hold property owners completely responsible for any falls from heights that occurred because of inadequate safety practices. This includes bodily injuries sustained either falling yourself, or being struck by falling objects/debris/construction material.
- New York Labor Law Section 241(6): Under Labor Law 241(6), an injured construction worker can sue for specific violations of New York’s Industrial Code.
- New York Labor Law Section 200: Labor Law 200 allows construction workers to sue defendants that fail to take reasonable safety precautions at worksites.
Who is Legally Responsible for My Construction Site Accident?
There are often multiple defendants in a New York construction site lawsuit. Landowners, developers, and other related parties can be held 100% responsible for injured workers.
This is especially true if OSHA rules and New York City Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) are violated. While the type and existence of multiple defendants can serve to complicate New York construction accident cases, they can also make them worth a lot of money when handled by a skilled lawyer.
What if I am an Undocumented Worker in NYC? What are My Rights?
Many undocumented workers injured at construction sites are afraid to bring a claim. However, your undocumented status cannot be considered in determining whether you are entitled to file for workers' compensation or a personal injury lawsuit.
If you are an undocumented worker and are injured, you have exactly the same rights as other New York City workers AND your status is protected and cannot be reported to authorities.
Call now for a free, confidential consultation with our winning team of construction accident attorneys in New York.
How Do I Choose the Right Attorney to Represent Me in My Lawsuit?
New York’s construction accident regulations are notoriously complex and the defendants are notoriously difficult. You need an aggressive and experienced construction accident attorney who knows how to fight for you.
Michael S. Lamonsoff, ‘The Bull’ and his team of highly trained and aggressive construction accident attorneys in New York City will never stop fighting for you. Call now for your free consultation to learn more.
Click here to learn more about how to choose the right construction attorney.
If a construction site accident occurs on the job, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation laws give you the right to cash payments for lost wages and reimbursement for all medical expenses incurred due to a workplace accident.
However, these benefits may be wholly inadequate. The payments will diminish as time goes on and will ultimately be cut off. In addition, the reimbursement of lost wages is far less than what the salary of the worker was before the accident happened.
Yes. In New York, injured construction workers can bring a lawsuit against a property owner or other negligent parties. To prevail in a legal claim, a construction worker’s lawyer must prove that the accident occurred because of a violation of one of New York’s construction site safety laws. Here are three key state laws that apply to your construction site accident:
- New York Labor Law Section 240(1): Known as the ‘Scaffolding Law’, Labor Law 240(1) allows construction workers to hold property owners completely responsible for any falls from heights that occurred because of inadequate safety practices. This includes bodily injuries sustained either falling yourself, or being struck by falling objects/debris/construction material.
- New York Labor Law Section 241(6): Under Labor Law 241(6), an injured construction worker can sue for specific violations of New York’s Industrial Code.
- New York Labor Law Section 200: Labor Law 200 allows construction workers to sue defendants that fail to take reasonable safety precautions at worksites.
There are often multiple defendants in a New York construction site lawsuit. Landowners, developers, and other related parties can be held 100% responsible for injured workers.
This is especially true if OSHA rules and New York City Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) are violated. While the type and existence of multiple defendants can serve to complicate New York construction accident cases, they can also make them worth a lot of money when handled by a skilled lawyer.
Many undocumented workers injured at construction sites are afraid to bring a claim. However, your undocumented status cannot be considered in determining whether you are entitled to file for workers' compensation or a personal injury lawsuit.
If you are an undocumented worker and are injured, you have exactly the same rights as other New York City workers AND your status is protected and cannot be reported to authorities.
Call now for a free, confidential consultation with our winning team of construction accident attorneys in New York.
New York’s construction accident regulations are notoriously complex and the defendants are notoriously difficult. You need an aggressive and experienced construction accident attorney who knows how to fight for you.
Michael S. Lamonsoff, ‘The Bull’ and his team of highly trained and aggressive construction accident attorneys in New York City will never stop fighting for you. Call now for your free consultation to learn more.
Click here to learn more about how to choose the right construction attorney.
Types of Construction Accidents and Injuries
Below are the most common types of construction accidents and injuries. Our top construction accident attorneys have years of experience handling each type. Please click on any of the below to learn more about each construction accident type:
Construction Worker Accident Statistics in New York City
From 2020 to 2023, New York City's construction industry saw notable fluctuations in incidents, injuries, and fatalities. Incidents decreased from 796 in 2020 to 752 in 2022 but rose again to 841 in 2023. Similarly, injuries dropped from 502 in 2020 to 505 in 2021 before increasing to 692 in 2023. Fatalities, however, remained relatively low, with 8 in 2020, 9 in 2021, and a rise to 11 in 2022, followed by a drop to 7 in 2023. These trends underscore the complex and evolving safety landscape in NYC's construction sector, highlighting the importance of ongoing safety measures and vigilance.
For more information, refer to this source.
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Contact UsConstruction Accident Cases Awards & Verdicts in New York
These are some of the recent construction accident case awards and verdicts won by Michael Lamonsoff “The Bull.”
$37,000,000 awarded to an elevator mechanic who was injured in a construction accident.
$6,500,000 settlement awarded to a New York City union construction worker who fell from an unsecured ladder and suffered a fractured leg as well as spinal injuries.
$5,500,000 verdict awarded to a New York construction worker who was injured when a wood bracing collapsed resulting in back injuries.
$4,750,000 verdict awarded to a New York construction worker who was injured by a falling concrete slab.
$4,100,000 settlement for a NYC construction worker who was injured when he tripped over a loose beam.
$3,500,000 verdict awarded to an injured New York City construction worker after he tripped and fell over a plumbing pipe that was covered and obscured by snow at a construction site.
$3,200,000 recovered in a case involving a New York construction worker injured by falling construction material.
$2,800,000 settlement for an ironworker who fell on a construction site in New York, resulting in significant lower back injuries.
$2,500,000 awarded in a case involving a union laborer who was injured when struck by improperly secured lumber.
$2,400,000 awarded to a construction carpenter struck by plywood that fell from the floor above.
$2,350,000 awarded to a New York City construction laborer who sustained serious injuries when he fell into an unprotected hole at a jobsite.
$2,200,000 awarded to a construction worker who was catastrophically injured when a trailer rolled back and crushed him against a jersey barrier.
$2,100,000 settlement for a New York construction worker injured by heavy equipment.
$2,000,000 award obtained for a construction worker who was hit on his head by a falling object.
$2,000,000 awarded to a construction worker who was struck by an unsecure beam.
$2,000,000 awarded to a New York City construction worker who was injured when a trench collapsed.
$1,950,000 awarded to a laborer who was severely injured when a platform he was working on collapsed.
$1,500,000 recovered in a case involving a construction worker who was injured when he fell from unsecured scaffolding on a job site in New York.
$1,000,000 awarded to a union plasterer who was injured on the job when he was burned by a torch.
$1,000,000 awarded to a construction worker who fell through a skylight in a warehouse.
What to do if you are involved in a construction accident in New York
Accidents can happen to anyone. You can protect your legal rights if you know what to do.
View PDFRelated Articles About Construction Accidents & Personal Injury Cases
Who is Liable in a Construction Accident in New York?
In New York, liability in a construction accident can extend to various parties, depending on the circumstances of the incident.
Can an Undocumented Worker Sue for a Construction Accident?
If you are an undocumented construction worker, it is important for you to know that you have the same rights and enjoy the same legal protections as documented workers.
Learn More About Undocumented Worker Construction Accident Cases
How Do I Make An Accident Report In Construction?
Accidents often happen on construction sites, leading to injuries and potential legal liability. In New York, it’s crucial to create a meticulous accident report to document the incident properly.
What To Expect During A Construction Accident Lawsuit
In this short guide, we will review the steps involved in a construction accident lawsuit in New York and what you can expect during the claims process.
How To Choose A Construction Accident Lawyer
In this guide, we will review the key factors you should consider while choosing a construction accident lawyer.
What Causes The Most Deaths On A Construction Site?
Construction sites in New York, while essential for progress and development, can be hazardous environments where accidents and injuries occur all too frequently.
Our Construction Accidents Lawyers Fight for the Rights of Union Workers
Union Workers built New York City. At the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff, PLLC, our NYC construction accident attorneys have deep experience representing union members in construction site accidents. Some of our past and present clients are members of local building and construction trade unions including:
- Construction and General Building Laborers Local 79
- Laborers Local 78
- Carpenters Local 157
- Pavers & Roadbuilders Local 1010
- Timbermen & Dockbuilders Local 1556
- Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 1
- Elevator Constructors Local 1
- Concrete Carpenters Local 212
- Laborers Local 66
- Cement & Concrete Workers Local 6A
- Tile Marble & Terrazzo B.A.C. Local 7
- Iron Workers Local 580
- Sheet Metal Workers Local 28
- Metallic Lathers Local 46
- Electrical Workers Local 3
- Plumbers Local 1
- Carpenters Local 45
- Steamfitters Local 638
- Building Concrete, Excavation & Common Laborers Local 731
- Asbestos Workers Local 12A
- Heat & Frost Insulators Local 12
- Concrete Workers Local 20
- Sheet Metal Workers Local 137
- Carpenters Local 926