Hiring A New York City Construction Accident Attorney To Help Maximize Your Claim

Last updated on July 17, 2026

It is not surprising that construction is consistently reported as one of the most dangerous occupations, as serious injuries occur frequently at construction sites. BLS data for 2024 show that private-sector construction recorded 1,034 fatal workplace injuries, with falls, slips and trips accounting for more than one-third of those deaths.

Rich & Rich, P.C. provides high-quality, personalized legal services to victims of serious injuries on construction job sites. There, scaffolding can collapse, cranes can topple, and workers can suffer head injuries from falls and falling objects. OSHA identifies struck-by hazards as a major cause of construction deaths and reports that heavy equipment, including trucks and cranes, is involved in about 75% of struck-by fatalities.

Jobsites are dangerous not only to workers but also to passersby. Brain damage and other serious injuries can occur, leaving the injured victim without wages and with mounting medical expenses.

At Rich & Rich, P.C., our construction accident attorneys helped an ironworker who fell 20 feet and suffered multiple fractures and severe internal injuries recover $2.75 million through settlement after mediation. For another client, who was a victim of a scaffolding accident that caused a fractured elbow, fractured nose and several herniated disks, our team recovered $1.6 million in settlement at mediation.

Labor Law Protections For Construction Workers

New York construction cases often involve more than ordinary negligence. New York Labor Law Section 240, often called “the Scaffold Law,” may apply when a worker falls from a height or is hit by a falling object because proper safety devices were not in place. Labor Law Section 241(6) may also apply when a specific construction safety rule was violated.

These laws can affect the strength of a claim. A New York City construction accident attorney can look beyond a co-worker’s mistake and examine whether an owner, general contractor or other party failed to provide required safety protection. This may matter in cases involving scaffolds, ladders, hoists, unsecured materials, open floors, falling debris and unsafe work platforms.

A serious injury can leave a worker unsure who may be responsible. The employer may tell the worker to file for workers’ compensation. However, the jobsite may also involve property owners, contractors, subcontractors, equipment suppliers and/or safety managers. One of our New York construction injury lawyers can review those roles and determine whether the facts support a claim involving New York construction site negligence.

Third-Party Claims Beyond Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation can help after a construction accident, but it has limits. It may pay medical expenses and part of a worker’s lost wages, but it usually does not cover the full impact of a severe injury. It also does not provide pain and suffering damages in the same way that a civil lawsuit can.

That difference can matter when a worker has permanent limits, multiple surgeries, nerve damage, spinal injuries, fractures or a long recovery. A Manhattan construction injury claim may involve both workers’ compensation and a third-party lawsuit. The third-party claim may seek damages from a property owner, contractor or another party whose safety failure helped cause the accident.

This is why hiring a lawyer early can matter. Evidence can disappear quickly on a construction site. Safety devices may be moved. Work areas may change. Reports may leave out important details. A Manhattan personal injury lawyer can help preserve evidence, identify the correct parties and explain whether workers’ compensation is only one part of the recovery available to you.

At Rich & Rich, P.C., our attorneys can review the accident, the jobsite roles and the safety rules involved in your claim.

Our Lawyers Can Protect Your Rights

If you have been injured in any type of construction accident, our skilled New York construction accident lawyers at Rich & Rich, P.C., have the knowledge and skill to examine all relevant laws and regulations and determine the appropriate parties to sue to maximize your recovery. Lost wages, medical expenses, costs of therapy, and damages for pain and suffering may be sought. If you were harmed while on the job, workers’ compensation may not cover all your expenses and injury-related damages.

Depending on the circumstances, parties that may be held legally responsible for negligence in causing injuries at construction sites include the following:

• The owner of the property
• The general contractor
• Subcontractors
• Product manufacturers, distributors or sellers

At Rich & Rich, P.C., a New York construction accident law firm, our lawyers are fully versed in the complex issues that may be involved in a construction accident case, including the following:

• Indemnification
• Workers’ compensation
• Building code violations
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violations
• Statutory violations

Call To Speak To Our Team

At Rich & Rich, P.C., our construction lawyers in New York have extensive experience in evaluating construction accident cases and proven results in obtaining maximum fair compensation for injuries that our clients have suffered. They will consult with and retain the experts necessary to prove your claim and fight for your recovery. If settlement is not in your best interests, they have the seasoned legal skills to aggressively represent you at trial.

One of our New York construction attorneys is waiting to hear from you about your construction accident case, so don’t wait. Contact us online or call 212-407-5570 today for a free initial consultation. We are conveniently located in Midtown Manhattan.