What Makes New York Construction Accident Cases Different
New York is one of the few states that imposes strict liability on property owners and general contractors for certain job site injuries. That means the injured worker does not have to prove negligence — only that the injury occurred and that the law applies. For construction workers hurt on Long Island job sites, at NYC development projects, or anywhere in between, that distinction can be the difference between a minimal workers' comp payout and full financial recovery.
Dallas Law represents laborers, ironworkers, electricians, roofers, and other construction professionals in claims under New York Labor Law and beyond. We identify every liable party, pursue every available legal pathway, and handle the full case while you focus on getting better.
The Three New York Labor Laws That Protect Injured Construction Workers
New York's construction injury framework is built around three statutes. Understanding which ones apply to your situation determines how strong your case is and who can be held accountable.
Labor Law 240 — The Scaffold Law
Labor Law 240 imposes strict, non-delegable liability on property owners and general contractors for elevation-related injuries on construction sites. Falls from scaffolding, ladders, and rooftops, as well as injuries from falling objects and tools, are covered under this statute. "Strict liability" means that if the law applies to your injury, the property owner and general contractor are liable regardless of whether they were directly at fault. This is one of the most powerful legal protections available to any worker in the United States.
Labor Law 241(6) — Industrial Code Violations
Labor Law 241(6) covers construction injuries caused by violations of New York's specific industrial safety codes. Unlike 240, this statute requires showing that a specific code was violated, but it expands coverage to a broader range of accident types beyond elevation-related incidents.
Labor Law 200 — General Negligence
Labor Law 200 is New York's codification of general premises liability as it applies to job sites. It covers situations where a property owner or general contractor had notice of a dangerous condition and failed to correct it. This statute often works alongside 240 or 241(6) claims to build a complete liability picture.
In most construction accident cases, we evaluate all three statutes to determine which applies — and which combination produces the strongest claim.
Types of Construction Injuries We Handle on Long Island and in NYC
Long Island and New York City are in the middle of sustained construction booms — commercial development across Suffolk County, residential projects throughout the boroughs, and infrastructure work that puts workers at risk every day. These are the injury types we see most often.
Falls From Heights
Falls from scaffolding, ladders, or roofs are among the most common — and most serious — injuries we see on job sites.
Falling Objects or Debris
Unsecured tools, building materials, or debris can cause traumatic head and neck injuries. We investigate site safety violations and accountability.
Faulty Equipment or Machinery
If unsafe or defective tools caused your injury, there may be grounds for a product liability or third-party negligence claim.
Electrocution or Burn Injuries
Faulty wiring, lack of signage, or inadequate training can lead to serious electrical injuries — and someone may be responsible beyond your employer.
Trench Collapses
Trench and excavation work carries serious cave-in risk when shoring and safety protocols are ignored. These incidents are often fatal or catastrophic and typically implicate multiple parties beyond the direct employer.
Questions Construction Workers Ask Before Calling an Attorney
If you’ve been injured at work, here’s what you should know now.
Workers Refer Us to Other Workers
Construction accident clients come to us with some of the most serious injuries we handle. They still refer their coworkers and family members to us when those people need a lawyer. That trust is the standard we hold ourselves to on every case.
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Hurt on a Construction Site? Find Out Every Claim You're Entitled to File.
Workers' comp is a floor, not a ceiling. Dallas Law represents construction accident victims across Long Island and New York City — evaluating every applicable statute, tracing every liable party, and pursuing the full recovery the law allows.