Common Construction Site Injuries in New York

Construction sites are high-risk environments where accidents can lead to serious and often life-altering injuries. Common incidents include falls from heights, being struck by falling objects, machinery malfunctions, electrical shocks, and injuries caused by collapsing structures or scaffolding. These types of accidents frequently result in broken bones, head trauma, spinal injuries, and other severe physical harm.

A New York City construction accident lawyer at Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb, Green & Bagley, P.C., who understands New York’s complex labor laws, can help you explore all avenues of compensation and fight to maximize your total financial recovery after a serious construction accident in New York. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

What Are the Most Common Construction Site Injuries?

Construction sites are among the most physically demanding and dangerous workplaces, where even a momentary lapse in safety can lead to devastating consequences. Serious injuries impact a worker’s ability to earn a living and can also result in long-term pain, disability, and emotional trauma.

Below are some of the most common and severe injuries sustained on construction sites:

• Back and Neck Injuries. Lifting heavy materials, falling, or being struck by equipment can cause acute or chronic injuries to the back and neck. These can range from muscle strains to herniated discs, often leading to long-term discomfort or mobility issues.
• Broken Bones. Falls from scaffolding, ladders, or rooftops and being struck by tools or construction materials frequently result in fractures. Depending on the severity, broken bones may require extensive recovery time, surgery, or physical therapy.
• Crushing Injuries. When a worker becomes caught between objects or pinned by machinery, the resulting compression can damage muscles, bones, and internal organs. Crushing injuries often require emergency medical care and can lead to permanent disability.
• Internal Organ Damage. High-impact falls, or blunt force trauma may injure vital organs such as the lungs, liver, or kidneys. These injuries can be life-threatening and may not be immediately visible, making prompt medical evaluation critical.
• Spinal Cord Injury. Falls from heights or severe impacts can damage the spinal cord, potentially resulting in partial or total paralysis. These injuries are among the most life-altering and require extensive medical care and support.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Being struck by falling objects, slipping and hitting the head, or other high-force impacts can cause a TBI. Symptoms can range from mild concussions to severe cognitive and physical impairments, often requiring long-term care.

Each of these injuries underscores the inherent risks construction workers face every day and the serious consequences that can follow a workplace accident.

How Do Construction Site Injuries Happen?

Construction sites are legally required to follow stringent safety standards set by agencies like OSHA to protect workers from harm. However, when these regulations are ignored or poorly enforced, the consequences can be severe, including the following:

Falls from Scaffolding, Ladders, and Rooftops

Falls constitute the most common cause of construction site injuries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that falls, slips, and trips account for approximately 35 percent of construction accident fatalities. Thousands more suffer serious injuries annually from falls on construction sites.

Struck by Object

Another frequent cause of construction accidents is being struck by falling objects—ranging from tools and building materials to unsecured debris dislodged from scaffolding or upper levels. These incidents can result in severe head injuries, fractures, or even fatalities, especially when proper protective equipment is not used.

Heavy Machinery Accidents

Heavy machinery accidents involving bulldozers, forklifts, or cranes pose a constant threat on construction sites. They often result from operator error, poor maintenance, or failure to follow safety protocols. They result in struck-by or caught-between incidents, which cause severe injuries or fatalities. Approximately 75 percent of struck-by fatalities involve heavy equipment.

Electrical and Explosion-Related Injuries

Electrocutions occur due to contact with overhead power lines, malfunctioning or poorly maintained electrical tools, and exposure to wet conditions near live wiring or outlets.

Explosions are another serious hazard, typically caused by the ignition of flammable substances such as fuel, gas, or improperly stored chemicals. These events may also result from gas leaks or accidental damage to underground gas lines during excavation.

Lack of Protective Equipment or Safety Violations

Many construction site accidents are avoidable if the worker is supplied with adequate protective equipment and safety regulations are followed. As per the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), the most frequently violated standards in 2024 relating to the construction industry are:

• Fall protection
• Construction ladders
• Fall protection training
• Scaffolding
• Eye and face protection

What Are Your Legal Rights After a Construction Injury in New York?

If you’re injured on the job, in most cases, you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. However, workers’ compensation laws generally prevent you from suing your employer.

In return, the system provides benefits such as medical treatment, partial wage replacement—usually two-thirds of your average weekly wage up to a state cap—and vocational rehabilitation. Except in emergencies, your treatment must be obtained from a medical provider authorized by the employer’s insurer.

If a worker dies from their injury, the surviving spouse, minor children, and other dependents may receive survivor benefits. 

Filing a Third-party Lawsuit for Negligence

In many construction site accidents, negligent parties other than the injured worker’s employer may bear responsibility. When a third party’s negligence contributes to an accident, the injured worker may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit against that party. Unlike workers’ compensation claims, third-party lawsuits allow for the recovery of broader damages, including reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other non-economic damages.

To succeed in such a claim, your personal injury lawyer must prove that a third party’s negligence directly caused the injury. An experienced attorney will conduct a detailed investigation to identify all potentially liable parties.

These may include:

• Property owners who fail to maintain safe working conditions
• General contractors overseeing the site
• Subcontractors responsible for specific job functions
• Engineers involved in project design or site safety
• Manufacturers of defective tools or machinery
• Material suppliers who provide faulty or unsafe products
• Operators of delivery vehicles involved in on-site incidents

Identifying all sources of liability is critical in pursuing full and fair compensation through a third-party claim.

Legal Protections under NY Labor Laws

New York’s Labor Laws provide specific legal protections to construction workers, particularly under Sections 200, 240, and 241 of the New York Labor Law.

• Section 200 codifies the general duty of employers and property owners to provide a reasonably safe work environment. It applies broadly to worksites and includes protections against unsafe conditions or practices.
• Section 240, commonly referred to as the Scaffold Law, imposes strict liability on property owners and general contractors for gravity-related injuries (such as falls from heights or being struck by falling objects) when proper safety devices like scaffolds, hoists, or ladders are not provided.
• Section 241 specifically regulates safety standards during construction, demolition, and excavation activities. It places responsibility on owners and contractors to meet those standards.

Statute of limitations

In New York, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is generally three years from the accident date. If the person succumbs to their injuries, surviving family members have two years from the date of death in which to file a wrongful death lawsuit. However, if the accident occurred on public property, the statute of limitations for filing a Notice of Claim is just 90 days from the injury date.

Wrongful Death Compensation for Families

When a loved one dies due to a construction accident, a wrongful death lawsuit may be filed under New York law. However, only the personal representative (executor or administrator) of the deceased’s estate is legally permitted to bring the claim—not individual family members directly.

The deceased’s spouse, children, parents, or other close relatives may receive a share of any compensation awarded based on their relationship to the person who died and who would legally inherit if there is no will.

Why Choose a Construction Accident Lawyer in NYC at Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb, Green & Bagley, P.C.?

We are a trusted legal ally for injured construction workers in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and throughout the NYC metropolitan area. 

Our results handling construction accident claims speak for themselves, and include: 

• $4.2 million settlement for a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 14-14B who fell on the job and was left permanently disabled 
• $3.4 million settlement for a painter who was injured by falling wall panels. 
• $3 million settlement for an electrician injured when a switch gear fell on his legs. 

These are only a few of the outstanding results we have achieved for injured New Yorkers in our more than 50-year history of practicing personal injury law.  If you entrust us with your legal claim, an experienced New York construction accident lawyer at our firm can help you understand your rights and fight for the maximum amount of compensation you deserve. 

Schedule a Free Consultation

Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today at Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb, Green & Bagley, P.C. Because we work on a contingency basis, you pay no fee unless you obtain compensation. We know the fair value of your case based on your losses and damages. While most cases are settled, we will go to trial if the insurance company fails to agree to a reasonable settlement.

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