Scaffolding Accident Attorney in New York City

We help you recover full compensation for scaffolding accidents.

Scaffolding Accident Attorney NYC

What Our Clients Say

Do You Need to Hire an Attorney for a Scaffolding Accident in NYC?

You need a scaffolding accident attorney if you were injured on or near scaffolding and someone else's negligence played a role. This includes construction workers who fell from scaffolding or were hit by falling tools and materials, pedestrians struck by debris from overhead scaffold platforms, and workers injured when scaffolding collapsed or was improperly assembled.

Many workers across Manhattan's job sites, Brooklyn's residential construction zones, and the Bronx's ongoing development projects face these dangers every day. Whether you are a union or non-union worker, a laborer, carpenter, ironworker, or electrician, you have rights under New York law. Even if your employer pressures you to stay quiet, you are entitled to seek compensation. Our firm also works with immigrant workers who have concerns about coming forward. Your immigration status does not affect your right to file a claim.

Common Situations We Handle

Falls From Scaffolding

Workers fall when planks are missing, guardrails are absent, or scaffolding is not properly secured to the building. These falls can happen from just a few feet or from dozens of stories up. The injuries are often catastrophic, including spinal fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and broken limbs.

Scaffold Collapses

When scaffolding is poorly assembled, overloaded, or made with defective materials, it can give way without warning. Workers on the platform and those below face life-threatening injuries. These cases frequently involve multiple responsible parties.

Falling Objects and Debris

Tools, materials, and equipment dropped from scaffolding platforms can cause serious head injuries, even to workers wearing hard hats. Pedestrians and bystanders on NYC sidewalks have also been seriously hurt by falling debris from overhead work platforms.

Defective Scaffolding Equipment

Some scaffolding collapses are caused by faulty parts, corroded connections, or equipment that was never safe to begin with. In these cases, the manufacturer of the defective scaffold may also be liable.

Swing Stage and Suspended Scaffold Accidents

Window washers, painters, and exterior maintenance workers rely on suspended scaffolding systems. When cables snap, motors fail, or platforms are improperly rigged, the results can be fatal.

Scaffolding Near Public Sidewalks

In New York City, pedestrian scaffolding (sidewalk sheds) surrounds thousands of buildings. When these structures are poorly maintained, improperly secured, or collapse under weather conditions, nearby pedestrians and workers can be seriously injured.

Why Hiring a Scaffolding Accident Lawyer Makes Sense

Without an attorney, you are likely to receive far less than your case is worth. Property owners, general contractors, and their insurers have teams of lawyers working immediately after an accident to reduce or deny your claim. They gather evidence, take statements, and build their defense while you are still in the hospital.

New York's Scaffold Law (Labor Law § 240) gives injured workers powerful protections. Under this law, property owners and general contractors can be held strictly liable for gravity-related accidents involving scaffolding. That means you do not have to prove they were negligent in the traditional sense. If the scaffolding was inadequate and that failure caused your injury, liability can attach. But these cases are still complex. Defendants will argue that you were the sole cause of your own injury, or that you refused safety equipment. You need an attorney who knows how to counter those arguments.

Workers' compensation also only covers a portion of your losses. It does not pay for pain and suffering. A third-party lawsuit, which is separate from your workers' comp claim, can recover those damages and more.

Who Can Be Held Responsible?

Scaffolding accident cases often involve multiple responsible parties, and a thorough investigation is needed to identify all of them.

Property owners are frequently liable under New York Labor Law § 240(1), which imposes non-delegable duties on owners to provide proper scaffolding and fall protection. They cannot avoid responsibility simply by hiring a general contractor.

General contractors who oversee job site safety and direct the work are also regularly held liable. If they knew about unsafe scaffolding conditions and failed to correct them, they may face full liability.

Subcontractors who erect, modify, or maintain scaffolding can be responsible when their negligence contributed to the accident.

Scaffolding and equipment manufacturers may be liable under products liability law if a defective component caused or contributed to the collapse or fall.

Building managers and property management companies who control the premises can share responsibility, depending on the circumstances of the accident.

Our firm investigates every angle. We visit job sites, review safety logs, consult with engineering experts, and identify every party whose negligence put you in harm's way.

What You May Be Entitled To Recover or Achieve

Scaffolding accident victims in New York City can pursue compensation for a wide range of losses.

Financial losses you may be able to recover include past and future medical expenses, lost wages during your recovery, reduced future earning capacity if you cannot return to your trade, and the cost of long-term care or rehabilitation.

Non-financial losses you may be able to recover include compensation for physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and in serious cases, loss of consortium for the impact on your family relationships.

In cases involving the death of a worker, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and grief and loss of companionship.

No attorney can guarantee a specific result, but our firm has a long track record of recovering significant compensation for workers injured in construction and scaffolding accidents throughout New York City.

Important Deadlines and Legal Rules to Know for Scaffolding Accidents

Time limits for scaffolding accident claims in New York are strict. Missing a deadline can permanently bar you from recovering compensation, so acting quickly matters.

For most third-party personal injury lawsuits involving scaffolding accidents, New York's statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident. However, there are important exceptions.

If the property owner or contractor is a government entity (such as the City of New York, the MTA, or a public authority), you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident. Suit must then be filed within one year and 90 days. Missing the Notice of Claim deadline in a government case can end your claim entirely.

Workers' compensation claims carry their own deadlines. You must report the accident to your employer within 30 days, and file a workers' comp claim within two years of the accident.

The sooner you contact an attorney, the better. Evidence at construction sites disappears fast. Safety logs get altered. Witnesses become harder to locate. Call us at (212) 725-8500 as soon as possible.

What to Expect When You Work With Us

Working with Michael Gunzburg, P.C. means you get direct attention from an experienced attorney from day one. Here is how the process works.

Step 1: Free Consultation

We listen to what happened, review the facts of your accident, and explain your legal options. There is no cost, no obligation, and no pressure. We will tell you honestly what we think your case is worth.

Step 2: Investigation

We move quickly to preserve evidence. That means visiting the accident site, photographing conditions, reviewing OSHA reports and safety logs, identifying witnesses, and consulting with engineering and medical experts who understand scaffolding failures.

Step 3: Building Your Case

We identify every responsible party, including property owners, contractors, subcontractors, and equipment manufacturers. Every case is prepared as if it is going to trial, because that preparation is what forces fair settlements.

Step 4: Fighting for Compensation

We handle all communication and negotiation with insurance companies and defense attorneys. We do not settle for low offers. If an insurer refuses to pay what your case is worth, we take it to a jury.

Step 5: Resolution

Whether through settlement or a jury verdict, our goal is to recover the full compensation you deserve, covering your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future needs.

Benefits of Hiring Michael Gunzburg, P.C. for Scaffolding Accidents

39+ Years of Construction Accident Experience

Michael Gunzburg has handled scaffolding and construction accident cases for nearly four decades. He knows the Labor Law inside and out, and he knows the tactics insurance companies and defense attorneys use to deny or reduce claims. That experience makes a real difference in the outcome of your case.

We Pursue Every Dollar You Are Owed

Workers' compensation is often not enough. It does not cover pain and suffering or your full lost wages. We file third-party lawsuits against property owners, contractors, and equipment manufacturers to recover the complete picture of what your injuries have cost you.

We Protect Immigrant Workers

We understand that many construction workers in New York City worry about what comes next if they speak up. Your immigration status has no bearing on your right to compensation under New York law. We handle your case with full confidentiality.

No Upfront Costs

We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win your case. We advance all investigation costs, expert fees, and legal expenses.

Trial-Ready From Day One

Insurance companies take cases more seriously when they know the other side is ready for trial. We have taken numerous cases to juries and won. That reputation helps our clients at the negotiating table.

Proven Results & Client Experience

Michael Gunzburg, P.C. has recovered millions of dollars for workers injured in construction and scaffolding accidents across New York City.

$4.5 million settlement for a construction worker who fell 20 feet at a job site.

$2.5 million settlement at trial for a 31-year-old ironworker who fell 6-8 feet from the 7th floor at 5 Times Square after the developer and general contractor failed to provide proper safety equipment. The ironworker suffered a brain injury, multiple herniated discs, perilymphatic fistulas in both ears, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, ultimately leaving him unable to return to work.

$2.5 million settlement for an ironworker injured when safety equipment failed.

$10.1 million settlement for a worker struck by falling ice on a New York City job site.

Client Max, a construction worker, described his experience: "Michael Gunzburg, P.C. sat down with me and patiently explained the legal proceedings so that I could understand everything. Throughout my time working with him, I never felt neglected or ignored." Max received a multi-million dollar settlement after being injured when a 200-lb. bucket fell from a hoist and caused him to fall, sustaining injuries to his back, neck, spine, and brain. Read Max's full review at https://www.gunzburglaw.com/client-reviews/maxs-client-review/.

With 39+ years of experience, thousands of clients represented, and cases argued before New York's Appellate Division and Court of Appeals, Michael Gunzburg brings the depth of knowledge that only comes from handling complex cases from beginning to end.

Common Questions About Scaffolding Accident Cases in NYC

What should I do right after a scaffolding accident?

Get medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor. Report the accident to your supervisor and make sure it is documented in writing. If you are physically able, photograph the scene, the scaffolding, and any unsafe conditions. Collect contact information from witnesses. Do not sign anything or give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with a lawyer. Call us at (212) 725-8500 as soon as possible. The earlier we can begin investigating, the stronger your case will be.

Can I sue if workers' compensation already covers me?

Yes. Workers' compensation and a personal injury lawsuit are separate claims. Workers' comp pays limited medical and wage benefits, but it does not compensate you for pain and suffering. A third-party lawsuit against the property owner, general contractor, subcontractor, or equipment manufacturer can recover those additional damages. Many injured workers in New York pursue both at the same time.

What is New York's Scaffold Law and how does it help me?

New York Labor Law § 240(1), commonly called the Scaffold Law, imposes strict liability on property owners and general contractors for gravity-related accidents involving scaffolding, ladders, hoists, and similar equipment. If the required safety device was absent or inadequate and that failure caused your injury, owners and contractors can be held fully liable without needing to prove they were careless in the traditional sense. This is one of the strongest worker protection laws in the country, and it is why New York scaffolding accident cases often result in significant recoveries.

Does the Scaffold Law protect bystanders and pedestrians?

New York Labor Law § 240 primarily protects workers engaged in construction, repair, demolition, or alteration work. Pedestrians hurt by falling scaffolding debris typically pursue claims under different legal theories, including negligence and premises liability. These cases can still be strong claims against the property owner and contractor responsible for the scaffolding's condition.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Under the Scaffold Law's strict liability provisions, comparative negligence is generally not a defense when the statutory protection applies. Defendants may argue that you were the "sole proximate cause" of your accident or that you refused to use available safety equipment, but these arguments are hard to win. Even in cases that fall outside the Scaffold Law, New York's comparative fault rules allow you to recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault. An attorney can assess exactly how these rules apply to your situation.

Can I still file a claim if I am an undocumented immigrant?

Yes. Your immigration status does not affect your right to workers' compensation benefits or a personal injury claim in New York. These rights apply to all workers injured at construction sites, regardless of how you came to be in the United States. We handle cases involving immigrant workers with full discretion and confidentiality.

How long does a scaffolding accident case take?

Most scaffolding accident cases in New York City take between one and three years to resolve, depending on the complexity of the injuries, the number of parties involved, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Cases involving severe injuries with long-term medical needs often take longer because it is important to fully understand the extent of your damages before settling. We keep you informed throughout the entire process.

What if the scaffolding accident happened on a city-owned property or public project?

If the property owner or contractor is a government entity, including the City of New York, the MTA, or any public authority, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident. Missing this deadline typically bars your claim entirely. This is one of the most important reasons to contact an attorney immediately after any scaffolding accident involving public property.

Will I have to go to court?

Most scaffolding accident cases settle before trial. However, some cases do go to a jury, especially when insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation. Our firm prepares every case for trial from day one, and we are not afraid to take cases in front of a jury when that is what it takes to get our clients what they deserve.

What does it cost to hire a scaffolding accident attorney?

Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. We also advance all costs associated with the investigation, expert witnesses, and litigation. There is no financial risk to you in calling us for a free consultation.

Areas We Serve Scaffolding Accident Clients

Michael Gunzburg, P.C. represents scaffolding accident victims throughout New York City and the surrounding region. Our office is located in Manhattan, and we handle cases in all five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. We also serve clients in Nassau County and Suffolk County. If you were injured at a construction site anywhere in the New York metropolitan area, we want to hear from you.

Other Kinds of Personal Injury Cases We Handle

• Michael Gunzburg, P.C. handles a wide range of personal injury cases across New York City. If your situation involves one of the following, we can help:

  • Construction Accident Lawyer
  • Slip and Fall Attorney
  • Premises Liability Attorney
  • Wrongful Death Attorney
  • Product Liability Attorney
  • Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney

  For a full overview of our personal injury practice, visit our New York City Personal Injury Attorney page.

  Want to learn more about the Scaffold Law and how it protects construction workers in New York? Read our blog post: What Is the Scaffold Law in New York City?