Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in New York. When a job site injury happens, you’re dealing with medical bills, lost income, and an employer or insurer looking to minimize what they pay you. A construction accident lawyer in Babylon can help you pursue every dollar you’re entitled to, through workers’ compensation, a personal injury lawsuit, or both.
At Shulman Hill, we’ve recovered over $1 billion for personal injury clients across New York. We represent construction workers, laborers, and tradespeople who get hurt on the job and need someone in their corner. As a Babylon workers’ compensation lawyer with significant experience in construction cases, we know New York’s labor laws inside out.
What to Do After a Jobsite Injury
The steps you take after a construction accident directly affect your claim. Here is what we’d recommend:
- Report the injury to your employer immediately. In New York, you must report within 30 days to preserve your workers’ comp rights.
- Get medical attention right away. Even if you feel okay. Document everything.
- Don’t sign anything from your employer or their insurer before speaking to a lawyer.
- Take photos of the hazard, the scene, and your injuries if you’re able.
- Write down what happened while it’s fresh, including the equipment involved, the conditions, and who was present.
A Babylon personal injury lawyer will tell you that the biggest mistakes injured workers make are waiting too long to report and accepting early settlement offers before the full extent of their injuries is known.
Construction Accident Claims We Handle
Construction sites involve multiple contractors, subcontractors, property owners, and equipment suppliers, all of whom may share liability for your injuries. We handle claims involving:
- Falls from scaffolding, ladders, and elevated surfaces
- Struck-by accidents involving falling objects or moving equipment
- Electrocution and electrical hazards
- Trench collapses and cave-ins
- Machinery and equipment accidents
- Crane and rigging failures
- Fires and explosions
Frequent Hazards and Site Conditions
Beyond specific accident types, dangerous site conditions contribute to many injuries, such as inadequate fall protection, missing guardrails, unmarked hazards, defective equipment, and insufficient safety training. A construction accident lawyer in Babylon will examine the full site conditions, not just the immediate cause of your accident.
Your Rights to Workers’ Compensation Benefits in New York
If you’re injured on a construction site in New York, you’re entitled to workers’ compensation benefits regardless of fault. That means:
- Medical benefits covering all necessary treatment related to your injury
- Lost wage benefits at two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to the state maximum
- Disability benefits: temporary or permanent, total or partial, depending on your condition
- Schedule loss of use awards for permanent impairment to a specific body part
You don’t have to prove your employer was negligent to receive workers’ comp. But workers’ comp alone often doesn’t cover everything, which is where a third-party lawsuit comes in.
Third-Party Lawsuits for Unsafe Worksites
Workers’ comp doesn’t cover pain and suffering or full lost wages. But if someone other than your direct employer contributed to your injury, including a general contractor, property owner, equipment manufacturer, or subcontractor, you can file a separate personal injury lawsuit against them.
New York’s Labor Law may apply to your claim. Three statutes in particular protect construction workers:
| Labor Law § 240, also known as the Scaffold Law, imposes strict liability on property owners and general contractors for gravity-related injuries. If you fell or were struck by a falling object, this law may apply even if you were partially at fault (though exceptions exist where the worker’s own conduct was the sole cause of the accident). | Labor Law § 241(6) requires worksites to comply with specific safety regulations. A violation that causes your injury creates liability. | Labor Law § 200 covers general worksite safety and negligent supervision. |
A Babylon workers’ compensation lawyer who handles construction cases knows how to use these statutes to maximize your recovery beyond what workers’ comp alone provides.
How a Construction Accident Lawyer in Babylon Builds Your Case
Building a strong construction accident claim requires moving fast. Evidence disappears, sites get cleaned up, and witnesses move on to other jobs. Shulman Hill acts immediately to:
- Preserve the accident scene and document conditions
- Identify all potentially liable parties, not just your direct employer
- Obtain contracts and safety plans between contractors and property owners
- Secure OSHA inspection reports and violation records
- Work with engineering and safety experts where needed
Evidence That Helps Prove Liability and Damages
The stronger your evidence, the harder it is for insurers and defendants to minimize your claim. Key evidence in construction accident cases includes:
- Incident reports and OSHA records
- Site photographs and video footage
- Witness statements from coworkers
- Medical records linking your injuries to the accident
- Equipment maintenance and inspection records
- Employment and wage records for lost income calculations
- Expert testimony on safety standards and violations
Deadlines and Notices You Cannot Miss
- 30 days to report your injury to your employer for workers’ comp
- 2 years to file a C-3 claim with the Workers’ Compensation Board
- 3 years to file a personal injury lawsuit under CPLR § 214(5)
- 90 days to file a Notice of Claim if a government entity owns the worksite, under General Municipal Law § 50-e
Missing any of these can end your case. A construction accident lawyer in Babylon will track every deadline from day one.
Babylon Worksite Laws That Protect You
Beyond New York’s Labor Law, construction workers in Babylon are protected by OSHA regulations governing fall protection, scaffolding, excavation, electrical safety, and personal protective equipment. When an employer or contractor violates these standards, and you get hurt as a result, those violations become evidence of negligence in your civil claim.
What Your Case May Be Worth
Every case is unique, but construction accident claims can involve significant compensation, particularly when Labor Law § 240 applies, which creates strict liability and often involves large insurance policies. You may be entitled to:
- Full medical expenses, past and future
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability compensation
- Additional damages in cases involving intentional or reckless disregard for worker safety
How Shulman Hill Supports Injured Construction Workers
Shulman Hill has significant experience with New York Labor Law cases, including complex multi-party construction accident claims.
We know the Scaffold Law, we know how to identify every liable party on a worksite, and we know how to go up against large insurers and property owners. We represent the laborers, tradespeople, and construction workers who build this city, and we fight for them the same way they show up every day.
No upfront fees. You don’t pay us anything unless we win.
Start Your Free Case Review
If you were hurt on a construction site in or around Babylon, don’t wait. Evidence disappears fast, and deadlines are strict. Call Shulman Hill today for a free consultation.
Every Borough. Every Block. New York, We Got You.