Staten Island Construction Accident Attorneys
Staten Island Construction Accident Lawyers Who Hold Owners Accountable
Staten Island's building boom means more construction sites, and more opportunities for workers to get hurt. When property owners and contractors cut corners on safety, we make them pay.
New York's Labor Law Protects Staten Island Construction Workers
Construction sites are dangerous. New York recognizes this, and provides some of the strongest protections for injured workers in the country. When property owners and contractors fail to provide proper safety equipment, they can be held strictly liable for resulting injuries.
At AEE Law, we've spent over 35 years fighting for injured construction workers throughout Staten Island and New York City. We know Labor Law inside and out. We know which safety violations create the strongest claims. And we know how to take on the biggest contractors and their insurance companies.
The Scaffold Law: Your Strongest Protection
Labor Law 240, the "Scaffold Law" : imposes absolute liability on property owners and general contractors when workers fall due to inadequate safety equipment. This means:
- They're liable even if you weren't wearing a harness that wasn't provided
- They're liable even if a subcontractor controlled the work
- Your own comparative negligence is NOT a defense
- The duty to provide safety equipment cannot be delegated
Types of Staten Island Construction Accidents We Handle
- Scaffold collapses and falls
- Ladder accidents
- Falls from roofs and elevated platforms
- Falling object injuries
- Crane and hoist accidents
- Trench and excavation collapses
- Electrocutions
- Machinery and equipment accidents
- Falling through unsecured openings
Construction Boom Means More Injuries
Staten Island has seen significant development in recent years, new residential construction, commercial projects, and infrastructure work. More construction means more workers at risk.
Common construction sites where we've helped injured workers include:
- Residential developments throughout the North Shore
- Commercial projects along Richmond Avenue
- Infrastructure and road work
- Renovation projects on older buildings
- Bridge and waterfront construction
Why Property Owners Fight These Claims
Construction injury claims under Labor Law 240 are worth significant money, often hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. Property owners and their insurance companies fight hard to avoid paying.
Common defense tactics include:
- Claiming the work wasn't covered by the Labor Law
- Arguing you were the "sole proximate cause" of your injury
- Disputing the extent of your injuries
- Blaming other contractors
We've seen every defense tactic. We know how to counter them. That's why we prepare every case for trial, and why insurance companies take our clients seriously.
Injured on the Job?
You may have claims beyond workers' compensation. Don't let your employer's insurance company tell you otherwise. A third-party claim against the property owner or general contractor can provide full compensation for your injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Scaffold Law and how does it protect Staten Island construction workers?
New York Labor Law 240, the "Scaffold Law," holds property owners and general contractors strictly liable when workers fall due to inadequate safety equipment. If you fell from a height on a Staten Island construction site because of missing or defective fall protection, the owner is responsible, even if you made a mistake.
Can I sue my employer after a construction accident on Staten Island?
Generally no, workers' compensation is your exclusive remedy against your direct employer. However, you can sue property owners, general contractors, and other third parties whose negligence caused your injury. These claims are often worth far more than workers' comp alone.
What types of construction accident cases do you handle?
We handle all construction injuries: scaffold and ladder falls, falling objects, crane accidents, electrocutions, trench collapses, machinery accidents, and more. We have particular expertise in Labor Law 240 and 241(6) claims that hold owners and contractors accountable.
How long do I have to file a construction accident lawsuit in New York?
You generally have 3 years to file a personal injury lawsuit. For workers' compensation, you must report within 30 days and file within 2 years. If a government entity is involved, notice of claim deadlines can be as short as 90 days. Contact a lawyer immediately after any serious injury.
What compensation can I receive for a Staten Island construction accident?
You may recover medical expenses (past and future), lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, and permanent disability. Construction injuries are often severe, broken bones, spinal damage, traumatic brain injuries, and settlements frequently reach into the millions.
What was the worst construction accident in US history?
On December 3, 1907, the Quebec Bridge collapse killed 75 workers during construction over the St. Lawrence River, making it one of the deadliest single construction failures in North American history. In the United States, the 1981 Hyatt Regency walkway collapse in Kansas City claimed 114 lives, and the 1978 Cooling Tower collapse at Willow Island, West Virginia killed 51 workers in a single incident. These tragedies directly shaped modern federal safety standards, including OSHA regulations that now govern scaffold, structural, and fall-protection requirements on Staten Island job sites and across New York State. If you or someone you know was seriously injured in a construction accident, New York Labor Law § 240 and § 241 provide significant protections for workers hurt by falls or structural failures on New York job sites.
What is the #1 cause of death in construction?
Falls from elevation are the leading cause of fatal construction injuries nationwide, a pattern the Occupational Safety and Health Administration consistently documents as part of its "Fatal Four" categories alongside struck-by incidents, electrocutions, and caught-in/between hazards. In New York, Labor Law § 240(1), often called the Scaffold Law, imposes absolute liability on property owners and general contractors when a worker suffers a gravity-related injury because proper fall protection was not provided. On Staten Island, construction activity tied to ongoing residential and commercial development means scaffold, ladder, and roof-edge falls remain a persistent source of serious claims filed in Richmond County Supreme Court. If a fall caused a fatality, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death action under EPTL § 5-4.1, and an attorney can evaluate whether the Labor Law's strict liability provisions apply to the specific worksite conditions.
How many people died during the construction of twin towers?
This question is historical rather than directly related to a current Staten Island construction accident claim, but the record shows that 60 workers died during the construction of the World Trade Center towers between 1966 and 1971, according to historical accounts of the project. New York's construction industry has long carried serious risks, and today those risks are addressed through Labor Law § 240 and Labor Law § 241(6), which impose strict liability on property owners and general contractors when workers are injured or killed by elevation-related hazards and unsafe site conditions. If you or a family member has been injured or killed in a Staten Island construction accident, a wrongful death claim may be available under EPTL § 5-4.1, and speaking with an attorney about your rights is an important first step.
Injured on a Staten Island Construction Site?
Property owners have a legal duty to keep you safe. When they fail, we hold them accountable.