Construction sites in Rochester are high-risk environments where safety regulations are often ignored, leading to catastrophic injuries. At Stanley Law Offices, we litigate these cases with a proven track record of success. As your Rochester construction accident lawyers, we aggressively enforce New York Labor Law 240 and 241 to secure the maximum compensation for injured tradesmen across Monroe County. Our results speak for themselves, including a recent $3.2 million recovery for a worker injured in a collapsing scaffold fall.
While Workers’ Compensation covers basic medical bills, it rarely addresses the true cost of a life-altering injury. To recover damages for pain and suffering, lost future wages, and permanent disability, you need a firm that excels in third-party liability lawsuits. We identify every negligent party, including general contractors and property owners, who violated OSHA and NY safety standards. Whether you are a union member or a non-union laborer, your financial future depends on holding the right people accountable.
We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis; you pay no legal fees unless we win a verdict or settlement for you.
Call (800) 608-3333 today for a free consultation with an elite Rochester construction accident lawyer.
Types of Construction Accidents We Handle in New York
Stanley Law Offices establishes liability for specific high-risk incidents under New York State statutes. Our New York worksite incidents attorneys represent Rochester workers injured in accidents caused by regulatory violations and contractor negligence. We litigate claims involving:
- Scaffold and Ladder Falls (Labor Law 240(1)): Gravity-related injuries caused by the failure to provide proper safety devices, harnesses, or secure scaffolding trigger strict liability against owners and contractors.
- Trench Collapses and Excavation: Cave-ins resulting from a failure to install proper shoring, shielding, or sloping systems required by OSHA and state regulations.
- Crane and Heavy Equipment Accidents: Injuries caused by operator error, mechanical failure, or signaling mistakes constitute violations of the Industrial Code (Rule 23).
- Falling Objects: “Struck-by” injuries caused by unsecured tools or building materials at heights are actionable under site safety statutes.
- Electrocution and Arc Flash: Contact with live power lines or exposed wiring violates Labor Law Section 200 (Safe Place to Work) and specific lockout/tagout procedures.
- Forklift and Machinery Incidents: Crush injuries, rollovers, and equipment failures stemming from inadequate training or site supervision.
- Dangerous Site Conditions: Slips, trips, and burns resulting from debris, poor lighting, or hazardous chemicals.
We identify the specific breach of duty in the site safety plan to demand full compensation for your medical costs and lost income.
What to Do After a Construction Accident in Your Community
The actions taken immediately following an injury determine the success of both workers’ compensation claims and third-party lawsuits. Follow this protocol to preserve evidence and protect your legal rights under New York law.
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Establish an official medical record documenting the severity and cause of the injury. This record is the foundation of the claim.
- Report the Incident: Notify the site supervisor or general contractor immediately. Demand a written incident report to satisfy statutory notice requirements.
- Document the Scene: Photograph the specific hazard, such as the defective ladder, unshielded machinery, or lack of safety netting, before site conditions change.
- Secure Witness Testimony: Collect names and contact information from coworkers or bystanders who observed the accident.
- Refuse Recorded Statements: Do not provide a recorded statement to insurance adjusters without legal counsel. Insurers use these statements to admit partial fault or minimize damages.
Contact Stanley Law Offices: Retain a Rochester construction accident lawyer immediately to preserve site evidence and identify all liable third parties.
Common Injuries on Monroe County Construction Sites
Construction accidents result in life-altering trauma that exceeds the coverage limits of standard workers’ compensation. We represent Monroe County workers who suffer permanent disabilities due to site negligence. We structure claims to cover immediate surgery, long-term rehabilitation, and future lost earning capacity.
We litigate cases involving:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Concussions and penetrating head injuries resulting in permanent cognitive impairment, behavioral changes, and the need for 24-hour care.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Falls and crush accidents causing paraplegia, quadriplegia, or chronic nerve damage requiring Life Care Plans and home accessibility modifications.
- Complex Fractures: Compound breaks and crushed bones requiring multiple orthopedic surgeries, hardware implants, and extensive physical therapy.
- Amputations: Loss of limbs due to unguarded machinery or heavy equipment accidents, necessitating prosthetic devices and vocational rehabilitation.
- Severe Burns: Electrical and chemical burns resulting in skin grafts, scarring, and permanent disfigurement.
- Vision and Hearing Loss: Permanent sensory damage caused by arc flashes, flying debris, or explosions.
These injuries end careers. We demand full compensation for your pain and suffering, medical equipment, and the income you will never be able to earn again.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Construction Site Injury?
Construction accidents often involve multiple defendants. Under New York Labor Law, liability extends beyond your direct employer. Our attorney identifies every entity responsible for the safety failure to maximize your recovery through third-party lawsuits. We pursue claims against:
- Property Owners and General Contractors: New York law imposes strict liability on owners and GCs for gravity-related accidents (Section 240) and code violations (Section 241), even if they were not present at the time of the accident. They have a non-delegable duty to maintain a safe worksite.
- Subcontractors: Other trades (electricians, plumbers, masons) are liable if their negligence created the hazard that caused your injury.
- Equipment Manufacturers: Companies that design or build defective machinery (cranes, power tools, scaffolding) are sued under Products Liability laws for design defects or failure to warn.
- Architects and Engineers: Liable for injuries resulting from collapsed structures or unsafe building plans.
- Third-Party Vendors: Delivery drivers or external maintenance crews whose negligence causes site accidents.
While workers’ comp provides basic benefits, these third-party claims are the only way to recover damages for pain and suffering and full lost wages. We hold these corporate entities accountable.
Compensation a Rochester Construction Accident Attorney Can Pursue for You
Workers’ compensation provides limited benefits that often fail to cover the true cost of a catastrophic injury. We file third-party lawsuits to secure damages that are unavailable through the workers’ comp system and demand full restitution for both economic and non-economic losses.
We pursue the following damages in civil court:
- Economic Damages:
- Medical Expenses: Full coverage for emergency care, surgeries, physical therapy, medication, and future life-care costs.
- Lost Wages: Reimbursement for all income lost during recovery.
- Diminished Earning Capacity: Compensation for the difference in income if you are forced to take a lower-paying job or cannot work at all.
- Vocational Rehabilitation: Costs associated with retraining for a new career due to permanent disability.
- Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and Suffering: Financial compensation for physical agony and emotional distress.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Damages for the inability to participate in hobbies, family activities, or daily tasks.
- Loss of Consortium: Compensation for the impact of the injury on spousal relationships.
- Permanent Disability: Damages for scarring, disfigurement, or the loss of a limb.
- Wrongful Death Damages:
- Estate Claims: Funeral costs and medical bills incurred prior to death.
- Survivor Claims: Loss of financial support, inheritance, and parental guidance for surviving family members.
While workers’ comp pays a fraction of your wages, a third-party claim is the only legal avenue to recover the full financial value of your life-altering injury.
Proven Case Results for New York Workers
Stanley Law Offices defines success by the financial security we secure for our clients. We have recovered significant settlements and verdicts for construction workers injured by negligence in Rochester and across Upstate New York.
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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NY Statute of Limitations for Construction Injuries
Strict legal deadlines govern your ability to recover compensation. Stanley Law Offices ensures that all filings comply with the New York Civil Practice Law & Rule (CPLR). Failure to file within these timeframes results in the permanent dismissal of your personal injury lawsuit.
Critical Deadlines for Rochester Construction Claims:
| Claim Type | Deadline to File | Legal Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Notice of Claim (Gov. Entity) | 90 Days | Required for accidents on public property (bridges, roads, schools). |
| Workers’ Compensation | 30 Days (Notice) / 2 Years (Claim) | Notice must be given to the employer immediately. |
| Personal Injury Lawsuit | 3 Years | From the date of the accident (CPLR Section 214). |
| Wrongful Death Claim | 2 Years | From the date of death (EPTL Section 5-4.1). |
Do not wait. Evidence disappears, and statutory windows close quickly. Call 800-608-3333 immediately to protect your right to sue.
Why Local Construction Workers Trust Stanley Law Offices
Construction litigation requires more than general legal knowledge; it demands mastery of New York Labor Law. Union representatives and non-union tradesmen across Monroe County chose Stanley Law Offices because we possess the specific trial credentials required to win against large insurance carriers.
Our qualifications include:
- 90+ Years of Combined Experience: We rely on decades of trial practice to navigate the complexities of Labor Law Sections 240(1) and 241(6).
- Local Court Authority: We possess deep familiarity with the Monroe County Supreme Court, local judges, and the defense tactics used by Rochester construction firms.
- Contingency Fee Structure: We operate on a strict contingency basis. You pay zero legal fees unless we secure a verdict or settlement in your favor.
From the initial Notice of Claim to the final judgment, we provide the aggressive advocacy necessary to secure your future.
Call 800-608-3333 now. We are ready to review your case.
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
Request Your Free Case Evaluation in Rochester
Time is a critical factor in construction injury claims. Statutory deadlines for filing a Notice of Claim or personal injury lawsuit are strict. Stanley Law Offices reviews your case immediately to preserve evidence and protect your right to compensation.
During your free consultation, we provide:
- Liability Assessment: Identification of all liable third parties, including general contractors and property owners.
- Statutory Review: Analysis of potential violations of New York Labor Law Sections 240(1) and 241(6).
- Damages Calculation: An estimation of your full economic and non-economic losses.
- Risk-Free Representation: We operate on a contingency fee basis, you pay no attorney fees unless we secure a verdict or settlement.
Call 800-608-3333 now or submit our online inquiry form. We litigate on behalf of injured workers across Monroe County and Upstate New York.
