Construction Accident Attorneys

Construction Work Shouldn’t Cost You Your Life

In New York, construction work remains one of the deadliest jobs you can have. Even with regulations in place, preventable accidents happen every day. From high-rise developments in Manhattan to infrastructure jobs upstate, construction workers face serious risks that often stem from avoidable safety failures. Whether it’s skipped inspections, poorly maintained equipment, or a foreman pushing to meet a deadline, the cause is usually the same: someone put profits before people.

You have rights under New York law. Labor Law Sections 200, 240, and 241(6) were written specifically to protect construction workers. If someone else’s carelessness led to your injury, Horn Wright, LLP, is ready to help. Our attorneys know how to hold negligent contractors, property owners, and third parties accountable. We understand the complex web of state laws, and we’re ready to make sure your voice is heard. 

The Hidden and Obvious Dangers on Job Sites

Construction sites are full of dangers, both in plain sight and hidden behind walls or floating in the air. Most workers are aware of the risks that come with scaffolding, forklifts, or power tools. But it’s often the silent threats that do the most damage over time.

Toxic dust from silica, asbestos, and drywall compounds can lead to life-altering illnesses like silicosis or mesothelioma. Paints and solvents release fumes that attack the lungs. A lack of proper ventilation or protective gear only makes the problem worse. And yet, some employers still fail to provide even the most basic safety equipment.

Even everyday site conditions can become deadly. Poor lighting hides spills or gaps. Materials stacked the wrong way become trip hazards. Power tools with worn-out cords or faulty brakes become unpredictable. Under both OSHA and New York’s Industrial Code, employers are responsible for preventing these kinds of risks. When they don’t, workers face consequences that last a lifetime.

When Safety Rules Fail: The Accidents That Change Lives

Construction accidents often start with one ignored safety rule. That’s all it takes. The difference between getting through your shift safely or ending up in a hospital bed can come down to a missing guardrail or an unsecured load.

Falls from scaffolds, ladders, or platforms remain some of the most devastating accidents on New York sites. Labor Law §240, often called the Scaffold Law, makes owners and contractors strictly liable for these types of injuries. It doesn’t matter if you were told to "be careful" or "watch your step." If they didn’t provide the right safety equipment, they’re responsible.

Other dangers come from above. Beams, bolts, or tools can fall from high points and cause traumatic brain injuries or worse. Materials that aren’t secured properly often end up crashing down on unsuspecting workers.

Slip-and-fall hazards are just as dangerous. Wet concrete, icy walkways, and scattered debris are too often ignored until someone gets hurt. Vehicles and machinery add to the chaos—forklifts, bulldozers, cranes all operating in tight spaces with little margin for error. When chemicals, gas lines, or faulty wiring enter the mix, fires and explosions follow.

Each one of these accidents usually ties back to a choice: someone chose to skip a step, ignore a warning, or rush a job.

The Law That Protects Construction Workers

New York doesn’t just suggest safety; it demands it. The Labor Law exists to protect workers from exactly the kind of dangers that show up on job sites every day.

Labor Law §200 sets the general expectation: if you control a worksite, you must keep it safe. That includes making sure walkways are clear, tools work properly, and training is thorough. It covers both owners and contractors.

Labor Law §240 focuses on height-related injuries. This is the law that makes contractors and property owners automatically liable if you fall or get hit by something falling. If you were working at a height and didn’t have proper protection, you don’t have to prove negligence. That law is on your side.

Labor Law §241(6) deals with the nuts and bolts of safety: excavation rules, demolition procedures, and how equipment must be used. It works hand-in-hand with New York’s Industrial Code and gives workers another way to hold people accountable.

Don’t forget OSHA. While it’s a federal standard, it still plays a huge role. OSHA violations often signal that state rules were broken too. If your injury happened on a public project, like a government building or transit site, you might also need to file a Notice of Claim within 90 days. Miss that deadline, and you could lose your chance to sue.

When the Employer Isn’t the Only One at Fault

Sometimes the danger doesn’t come from the jobsite itself, but from the tools you were handed. A nail gun that fires on its own. A lift that tips because of a design flaw. A harness that snaps under pressure. These are the result of product failures.

When equipment fails, there may be multiple parties responsible. The manufacturer who designed it. The distributor who sold it. The contractor who put it into use without inspection. Each link in the chain can be liable under product liability law.

Design flaws, missing safety labels, and poor-quality parts are all red flags. Keeping the broken equipment, taking photos, and tracking maintenance logs can turn a confusing incident into a solid case. Your attorney can trace the failure back to its source.

How Negligence Becomes Proof

Negligence leaves a trail, but it fades fast. After a construction accident, evidence can vanish within hours. That’s why acting quickly is so important.

Photos and videos can show exactly what went wrong. Skid marks, bent scaffolds, unsecured ladders, or leaking lines tell a story. OSHA citations, inspection records, and safety meeting logs support that narrative. Even eyewitness accounts and time-stamped medical records can play a huge role.

To prove liability, your legal team needs to answer two key questions: who controlled the site and who ignored a known danger? When employers have a history of OSHA violations or failed inspections, it helps prove they didn’t just make a mistake, they acted recklessly.

Permanent Disability and Life After the Accident

Some injuries never fully heal. Brain trauma, spinal cord damage, and amputations change your body—and your future. You may not return to work. You may need help with basic daily tasks. That loss goes far beyond medical bills.

Long-term effects also include emotional struggles. PTSD, depression, anxiety—, they’re all real and deeply felt. Families feel the weight too, dealing with financial strain, caregiving duties, and lifestyle changes.

Compensation has to cover more than surgeries or hospital stays. It needs to include:

• Ongoing care and rehabilitation
• Home modifications and medical devices
• Lost earning potential
• Pain and suffering

Medical experts, occupational therapists, and economists all help calculate these damages. You deserve a settlement that reflects the full picture of what you’ve lost.

Your Rights as an Independent or Subcontracted Worker

Being classified as a 1099 contractor doesn’t mean you gave up your rights. Misclassification is a trick employers use to dodge liability and deny you benefits. But courts see through it.

If you were controlled like an employee, i.e., told where to work, how to work, and when, you may still qualify for legal protection. Subcontractors and temp agencies still owe you a duty of care.

That includes training, proper equipment, and clear instructions. Skipping safety briefings or ignoring language barriers is a sign of negligence. If you were hurt and denied workers’ comp because of your status, you may still have a valid third-party claim.

Proving misclassification opens the door to both compensation and accountability.

From Claim to Compensation

Filing a claim after a construction accident isn’t just about paperwork. It’s a process that takes time, strategy, and grit.

You start by reporting the injury and seeking medical help. Your attorney investigates the site, preserves evidence, and identifies who’s liable. From there, they negotiate with insurance companies. If a fair settlement isn’t offered, they take the case to court.

Workers’ compensation may cover medical bills and some lost wages. But third-party lawsuits can go further, addressing pain, suffering, and full wage loss.

Insurance companies often:

• Delay claims
• Deny responsibility
• Offer lowball settlements

A strong case pushes back. The threat of trial often brings insurers to the table with a better offer.

Holding Negligent Companies Accountable

Construction accidents aren’t just personal tragedies. They reveal patterns. When a contractor skips inspections or ignores hazards, it’s not just one worker they’re putting at risk. It’s every person who steps onto that jobsite.

Litigation forces companies to confront these decisions. When you win a case, you send a message: workers aren’t disposable. That pressure changes behavior, improves safety policies, and saves lives.

Your claim could be the reason someone else makes it home tomorrow.

What to Do Right After a Construction Accident

Every second after an accident counts. Here’s what to do:

1. Get to a safe place and call 911
2. Report the accident to your supervisor and insist on documentation
3. Take photos of the scene and any hazards
4. Collect names and numbers of witnesses
5. Get immediate medical treatment and follow all care instructions
6. Don’t give recorded statements without legal advice

Early action protects both your health and your case.

How Horn Wright, LLP, Fights for Construction Workers

At Horn Wright, LLP, we’ve represented injured construction workers across New York for decades. We know how to navigate municipal, state, and federal liability. We’ve handled complex claims involving owners, general contractors, and subcontractors, and we know where responsibility hides.

Our attorneys fight hard to expose ignored warnings, uncover safety failures, and secure full compensation. We’re here to restore your dignity and rebuild what was taken from you. Our work isn’t about closing cases fast. It’s about making sure the system doesn’t fail you twice.

Construction creates cities, but safety builds lives. You shouldn’t have to risk your future just to earn a paycheck. If you’ve been injured because someone cut corners or ignored a hazard, Horn Wright, LLP is ready to help. 

Let us stand beside you and fight for the recovery you deserve. Contact our offices today for a FREE consultation.