Work-site Accident Lawyer
Work-site Accident Lawyer Brooklyn, NY
A work-site accident can upend your life without warning. One moment you are on the job, and the next you are facing serious injuries, lost wages, mounting medical bills, and an uncertain future. Construction sites, warehouses, and other job sites in New York are among the most dangerous workplaces in the country, and injured workers deserve more than what workers’ compensation alone may provide.
New York Labor Law offers some of the strongest protections for injured workers in the nation. Under Sections 200, 240, and 241 of the Labor Law, property owners and general contractors can be held directly liable for work-site injuries, regardless of fault. Our Brooklyn attorneys have fought for injured workers since 2008, helping them recover the full compensation they are entitled to. You pay nothing unless we win.
$45M+
RECOVERED FOR CLIENTS
2008
ESTABLISHED IN BROOKLYN
$0
FEE UNLESS WE WIN
After the Accident
What to Do After a Work-site Accident in Brooklyn
Report the Injury Immediately
Notify your supervisor or site foreman as soon as possible after the accident. Make sure the incident is documented in writing. Failing to report a work-site injury promptly can hurt both your workers’ compensation claim and any third-party lawsuit you may have.
Seek Medical Attention Right Away
Get evaluated by a doctor the same day, even if your injuries seem manageable. Many serious conditions, including internal injuries, spine damage, and traumatic brain injuries, do not present their full symptoms immediately. A medical record established on the day of the accident is critical evidence.
Document the Scene
If you are physically able, take photos and videos of the exact location where the accident occurred. Capture any defective equipment, missing safety guards, unmarked hazards, lack of fall protection, and the overall site conditions. This evidence can disappear quickly once a contractor or property owner learns of the accident.
Collect Witness Information
Get the names and contact details of any co-workers, subcontractors, or bystanders who witnessed the accident. Witness testimony is often decisive in establishing liability against a property owner or general contractor.
Do Not Give Recorded Statements
Insurance adjusters representing the property owner or general contractor may contact you quickly after the accident. Do not give any recorded statements or sign any documents without first speaking with an attorney. What you say can be used to minimize or deny your claim.
Call Cherny & Podolsky
Work-site accident cases involve complex layers of liability and strict deadlines. The sooner we get involved, the sooner we can preserve critical evidence, identify all responsible parties, and begin building the strongest possible case on your behalf.
Common Causes
Common Causes of Work-site Accidents in Brooklyn
New York City’s constant construction activity, aging infrastructure, and high-density development make Brooklyn work sites particularly dangerous. The most common causes of serious work-site injuries include:
Falls from Heights
Falls from scaffolding, ladders, rooftops, and elevated platforms are the leading cause of construction worker deaths in New York. Under Labor Law Section 240, also known as the Scaffold Law, property owners and contractors are strictly liable for elevation-related fall injuries when proper protection is not provided.
Scaffold Collapses
Improperly assembled, overloaded, or defectively designed scaffolding can collapse without warning, causing catastrophic injuries to workers and bystanders below.
Being Struck by Falling Objects
Tools, materials, and debris falling from heights pose a serious and constant hazard on active construction sites. Employers and site owners are required to provide proper overhead protection.
Electrocution
Contact with exposed wiring, unguarded electrical panels, and overhead power lines causes severe injuries and deaths on work sites every year throughout Brooklyn and New York City.
Machinery and Equipment Accidents
Defective or improperly maintained heavy machinery, power tools, and equipment can cause amputations, crush injuries, and other catastrophic harm.
Trench and Excavation Collapses
Unshored or inadequately supported trenches and excavations pose a grave risk of burial and suffocation, yet violations remain common on New York job sites.
Toxic Exposure
Workers in demolition, renovation, and older construction projects frequently encounter asbestos, lead paint, silica dust, and other hazardous materials that cause serious long-term illness.
Injuries We Handle
Injuries We Handle
Work-site Injuries We Represent in Brooklyn
Our attorneys represent injured workers who have suffered serious harm on construction sites and other job sites throughout Brooklyn and greater New York. We handle cases involving:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures
- Crush injuries and amputations
- Burn injuries and electrocution injuries
- Shoulder, knee, and joint injuries
- Herniated and bulging discs
- Internal organ damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Occupational illness from toxic exposure
- Wrongful death of a family member
Your Recovery
What Compensation Can You Recover
Injured workers in New York may be entitled to compensation through multiple channels, including workers’ compensation benefits and a separate personal injury lawsuit against the property owner, general contractor, or other liable third parties. These claims can be pursued at the same time.
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Vocational rehabilitation costs
- Home care and personal assistance costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
Why Cherny & Podolsky
Brooklyn's Trusted Work-site Accident Law Firm Since 2008
Established in Brooklyn Since 2008
We are not a national call center. We are a Brooklyn law firm with a physical office at 2681 East 14th Street and attorneys who know the local courts, judges, and the specific demands of New York Labor Law litigation.
Over $45 Million Recovered
Our track record speaks for itself. We have recovered millions in settlements and verdicts for injured construction workers and other work-site accident victims throughout Brooklyn and greater New York.
Deep Knowledge of New York Labor Law
Sections 200, 240, and 241 of the New York Labor Law create powerful protections for injured workers that go far beyond what workers’ compensation provides. Our attorneys know how to use these laws to hold property owners and contractors fully accountable.
Multilingual Staff
Our team serves clients in English, Russian, Spanish, and other languages, ensuring every client fully understands their rights and the progress of their case at every stage.
No Fee Unless We Win
We handle all work-site accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay absolutely nothing unless we recover compensation for you. No upfront costs, no financial risk to you.
Direct Attorney Access
You will work directly with your attorney, not a paralegal or case manager. We maintain close, personal relationships with every client from the first call to the final resolution.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue my employer for a work-site accident in New York?
In most cases, workers’ compensation is the exclusive remedy against your direct employer, meaning you generally cannot sue your employer directly. However, you may be able to bring a separate personal injury lawsuit against the property owner, general contractor, subcontractors, or equipment manufacturers who contributed to your accident. These third-party claims are often where the most significant compensation is recovered, and our attorneys are experienced in identifying every liable party.
What is the Scaffold Law and how does it help me?
New York Labor Law Section 240, commonly called the Scaffold Law, holds property owners and general contractors strictly liable for elevation-related injuries caused by falls or falling objects when proper safety equipment was not provided. Strict liability means you do not have to prove the owner or contractor was negligent, only that the protection was inadequate. This is one of the most powerful worker protection laws in the country.
What if I am an undocumented worker? Can I still make a claim?
Yes. Your immigration status does not affect your right to bring a personal injury claim under New York Labor Law. All workers injured on a job site in New York, regardless of immigration status, are entitled to pursue compensation for their injuries.
How long do I have to file a work-site accident lawsuit in New York?
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New York is generally three years from the date of the accident. However, if a government entity owns the property where you were injured, you may have as little as 90 days to file a Notice of Claim. Workers’ compensation claims also have their own separate filing deadlines. Contact us immediately so no deadline is missed.
Can I collect workers' compensation and still sue a third party?
Yes. Workers’ compensation and a third-party personal injury lawsuit are two separate legal remedies and can be pursued at the same time. Workers’ compensation provides wage replacement and medical coverage. A third-party lawsuit can recover pain and suffering, full lost wages, and other damages that workers’ compensation does not cover. Many work-site accident victims pursue both simultaneously.
How much is my work-site accident case worth?
The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical treatment, your lost income, the degree of the violation of safety requirements, and who is liable. Cases involving permanent disability, catastrophic injury, or a clear Labor Law violation often result in substantial recoveries. We offer free consultations to evaluate your case and give you an honest, realistic assessment.
Injured on a Brooklyn Work Site?
Every day you delay, key evidence can disappear. Hazardous conditions get fixed, equipment is replaced, and witnesses move on. Acting quickly gives you a stronger chance to build your case and hold the responsible parties accountable. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
