A scaffold fall can disrupt your work and your daily life, but New York law gives injured construction workers a way to regain stability and move forward.
Scaffold accidents often happen when guardrails are missing, platforms aren’t secure, or safety equipment fails. And when that happens, New York Labor Law §240, known as the Scaffold Law, allows you to hold property owners and contractors legally accountable.
At Stanley Law Offices, we’ve handled scaffold collapse claims for painters, roofers, masons, and laborers who just wanted to get back to work. We help injured construction site workers across Syracuse, Binghamton, Rochester, and Watertown recover the compensation they’re owed for medical care, lost wages, and long-term injuries.
You pay nothing unless we win for you.
What You Get With a Free Scaffold Accident Case Review in New York?
Your first consultation with Stanley Law Offices is completely free and focused on giving you clarity, not pressure. You’ll speak directly with an experienced New York construction accident attorney who knows how Labor Law §240 applies to your situation. During your consultation, we:
- Review how and where the accident happened.
- Look at your injuries and available medical or job site records.
- Determine whether the Scaffold Law applies and who may be responsible.
- Break down your legal options and what to expect next
If your case qualifies, we’ll take over the legal process while you focus on recovery. Start your free case review today.
Hire a New York Scaffold Accident Lawyer Who Wins High-Value Claims
Not all construction injury cases are the same, and scaffold accidents often involve complex laws and serious long-term injuries. That’s why experience matters. Our legal team has handled high-stakes scaffold cases across New York, recovering full compensation for injured workers and their families.
Here’s how we build a strong construction accident claim:
- Gather Evidence: Investigate the job site and preserve critical evidence before it disappears.
- Build Expert Support: Work with safety and medical experts to prove what went wrong and how you were hurt.
- Handle the Insurance: Deal directly with insurance companies that try to delay, deny, or underpay your claim.
- Maximize Compensation: Negotiate aggressively and take your case to trial if needed.
The right lawyer can be the difference between a lowball offer and a life-changing recovery. Below is Stanley Law Offices’ recent settlements in NY construction accident cases.
Our Successful Construction Accident Verdicts and Settlements
A sixteen-year-old girl was misdiagnosed at the hospital. The physicians believed that she had the flu however she really had pseudotumor cerebri, which is a build-up of pressure on the optic nerves. Given the delay in diagnosis, she was rendered permanently blind. She received 3.2 million at trial.
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A construction worker fell from a scaffold
A construction worker fell from a scaffold on a construction site and sustained a herniated disc requiring surgery. He received $750,000 settlement.
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Use New York’s Scaffold Law (§240) to Strengthen Your Injury Claim
New York Labor Law §240, known as the Scaffold Law, holds cladderontractors and property owners legally responsible when workers are injured due to missing safety gear, unsecured platforms, or falling objects. You don’t need to prove anyone was negligent. If basic safety rules weren’t followed, this law protects your right to full compensation.
We use this law to cut through insurance delays and fight for the results injured workers deserve, covering medical costs, lost income, and long-term harm. We’ve helped scaffold injury victims across New York use §240 to pursue the recovery they need to move forward.
Parties We Hold Accountable in New York Scaffold Accident Claims
Scaffold accidents often involve multiple failures, and more than one party may be legally responsible. Our legal team investigates every angle to hold all liable parties accountable, including:
- Property Owners: For unsafe conditions or failure to enforce safety requirements.
- General Contractors: For ignoring fall protection rules or allowing dangerous setups.
- Subcontractors or Site Supervisors: For cutting corners or skipping inspections.
- Scaffold Manufacturers or Installers: For defective parts or improper assembly.
We’ve seen contractors point fingers at injured workers to avoid responsibility, and we know how to prove what really happened. The more we uncover, the more you are positioned to recover.
Urgent Legal Protection for Scaffold Accident Victims in New York
After a scaffold accident, job sites get cleaned up fast, safety records go missing, and insurers act quickly to protect their bottom line, not your recovery. That’s why time matters more than most people realize. We step in immediately to secure your claim:
- Send Time-Sensitive Legal Notices: Some claims must be filed within 30-90 days.
- Preserve Job Site Evidence: Secure photos, safety logs, and materials before they’re lost.
- Interview Witnesses Quickly: Get accurate accounts while details are fresh.
- Block Early Insurance Pressure: Prevent insurers from devaluing your claim before you’ve had legal review.
The earlier you get legal help, the stronger your case and your recovery will be.
Compensation We Fight to Recover for Scaffold Accident Victims
The aftermath of a scaffold accident often includes steep medical bills, missed income, and months of physical recovery and financial pressure, and we fight to make sure you don’t carry that burden alone. We pursue full compensation that reflects the real impact of your injury, including:
- Medical Expenses and Rehabilitation: From emergency care and surgery to physical therapy and long-term treatment needs.
- Lost Wages and Future Earnings: Covering time missed at work now and your reduced ability to earn moving forward.
- Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Impact: Accounting for the day-to-day toll the injury takes on your body, mind, and quality of life.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits After Fatal Scaffold Accidents in New York
When a scaffold accident leads to a fatality, New York law allows the surviving family to pursue a wrongful death claim. A spouse, child, or estate representative can seek compensation for the financial and emotional impact of losing a loved one.
Compensation may include funeral expenses, lost income, medical bills incurred before death, and loss of guidance or support.
While no legal result can undo the loss, our focus is on helping you regain financial security and hold the right parties accountable.
Scaffold Accident Cases We Handle Across New York
Scaffold accidents happen in different ways and each one requires a legal approach that fits the cause, the injury, and who’s responsible. Here are the types of scaffold-related cases we routinely handle:
- Falls from Elevated Platforms/heights: Common on high-rise and renovation sites, often due to missing guardrails or unstable planks.
- Collapsed or Overloaded Scaffolds: Caused by poor assembly, faulty parts, or exceeding weight limits.
- Falling Tools or Materials: Struck-by injuries from unsecured objects dropped from above.
- Electrocution Near Power Lines: Scaffold placement too close to live wires, violating OSHA and state safety codes.
- Permanent, Disabling Injuries: Brain, spinal, and amputation injuries that require lifelong care and full financial recovery.
No matter how the accident happened, we’re prepared to investigate, prove liability, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Legal Strategies That Maximize Settlements in Complex Scaffold Injury Cases
Once your claim is filed, strategy becomes everything. Scaffold injury cases often involve finger-pointing between contractors, subcontractors, site owners, and insurers. We build each case to cut through the noise, prove liability under Labor Law §240, and block any attempt to shift blame onto the worker. Our legal strategies are designed to win high-value results:
- Use Expert Testimony: Show what safety failures occurred and who was responsible.
- Reconstruct the Scene: Create diagrams or models to explain the accident visually.
- Document Long-Term Impact: Work with medical experts to prove your ongoing medical and financial needs.
- Negotiate from Strength: Treat every case like it’s going to trial to increase leverage.
Why Injured Workers Choose Our New York Scaffold Injury Attorneys
Construction workers across Upstate New York turn to us after serious scaffold injuries, not just for results, but because they know we’ll fight for them. Here’s what sets our firm apart:
- Focused Experience: We’ve spent decades handling scaffold accident cases under New York’s unique labor laws.
- Union and Non-Union Representation: We fight for all trades: laborers, painters, roofers, electricians, and more.
- Local Access, Personal Support: With offices in Syracuse, Rochester, Watertown, Binghamton, and Oneonta, we’re where our clients work and live.
- No Win, No Fee: You pay nothing unless we secure compensation for you.
You don’t need promises: you need results, answers, and a legal team that knows how construction cases really work.
Proven Case Results in New York Scaffold Accident Claims
Our success in scaffold injury claims shows how preparation, experience, and knowledge of New York Labor Law can lead to meaningful results for injured workers. Our recent settlements and verdicts include:
$3.2 million trial verdict: A worker fell when a scaffold collapsed during a commercial project. We proved multiple safety violations under Labor Law §240 and secured compensation for long-term injuries.
$750,000 settlement: A construction worker suffered a herniated disc after falling from a scaffold. Surgical records and job site evidence supported full liability and damages.
$595,000 settlement: A school district employee was hit in the head by falling ice at a construction site. We held the site operator accountable for failing to clear hazards.
$550,000 settlement: A laborer fell when the scaffold beneath him collapsed. He required back surgery, and we built a claim under Labor Law §240 that led to a favorable pre-trial resolution.
Every case is different, but our goal remains the same: to hold negligent parties accountable and secure maximum compensation for injured workers.
Legal Deadlines That Can Impact Your Scaffold Injury Lawsuit in New York
New York law limits the amount of time you have to take legal action after a scaffold injury. Missing a deadline could mean losing your right to compensation, no matter how strong your case is. Acting quickly helps your attorney preserve evidence, notify the right parties, and keep your claim on track. Key filing deadlines include:
- Personal Injury Lawsuit: 3 years from the date of the accident.
- Wrongful Death Lawsuit: 2 years from the date of death.
- Workers’ Compensation Claim: 2 years from the date of injury or last wage replacement benefit.
These deadlines are strict, and in some cases, shorter notice periods apply if a municipality or public agency is involved.
Understanding Your Rights Under New York Labor Law §240 After a Ladder Fall
This law, often referred to as the Scaffold Law, offers strong legal protections for construction workers injured in gravity-related accidents, including ladder falls. This law holds property owners and general contractors strictly liable if they fail to provide proper safety equipment on elevated job sites.
Unlike workers’ compensation, New York’s Scaffold Law allows injured workers to file a third-party lawsuit against owners and general contractors and pursue full compensation for injuries.
Your Rights Under New York’s Elevation Safety Law:
- Sue property owners and contractors, not just your employer.
- Hold others accountable for missing safety devices or improper setups.
- Recover compensation beyond medical bills and lost wages.
New York Construction Accident Resources
- What to Do After a Construction Accident: Legal and Safety Tips?
- How to Make a Construction Accident Report
- What Are the Most Common Causes of Construction Accidents?
- Ten Common Construction Accidents and How to Stay Safe
- The Most Common Construction Injuries
Frequently Asked Questions About Scaffold Accident Lawsuits in New York
What should I do if my scaffold accident happened on a non-union construction site in New York?
If your scaffold accident happened on a non-union construction site, you can still file a claim under Labor Law §240. Non-union status does not limit your legal rights to pursue compensation for scaffold-related injuries.
Does New York’s Scaffold Law still protect me if I was partly at fault?
Yes. New York’s Scaffold Law still protects you if you were partly at fault. It imposes strict liability, so your right to compensation is not reduced by comparative negligence.
Can subcontractors or day laborers file a claim under Labor Law §240?
Yes. Subcontractors and day laborers can file a claim under Labor Law §240. The law protects all workers performing elevation-related construction, repair, or maintenance work.
How long does it usually take to resolve a scaffold accident case in NY?
A scaffold accident case in New York usually takes several months to two years to resolve. The timeline depends on case complexity, medical evidence, and the insurer’s willingness to settle.
Do I have to pay upfront legal fees to hire a New York scaffold accident lawyer?
No. You do not pay any upfront legal fees to hire a New York scaffold accident lawyer. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you owe nothing unless we win your case.
What is New York Labor Law §241(6), and does it apply to scaffold accidents?
Labor Law §241(6) is a New York law that protects construction workers by requiring job sites to follow specific safety codes. It can apply to scaffold accidents if a safety rule under the Industrial Code was violated.
Take the Next Step in Your Scaffold Accident Claim
Every day you wait helps the insurance company, not you.
Scaffold accidents move fast. Job sites change, records disappear, and contractors shift blame. Acting now strengthens your case and protects your rights.
You’ve done everything right. You showed up, did the work, and got hurt because someone else didn’t follow the rules.
We’ll handle the legal side, so you can focus on getting your life back.
Start your free consultation today.
