Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
Falling tools, crumbling structures, and collapsing scaffolds threaten the safety of pedestrians and construction workers in New York City. You may be eligible to recover compensation if you were injured while working on or passing by a scaffold. Contact a New York City workers compensation lawyer to file your workers’ compensation or personal injury claim. Schedule a consultation with Shulman & Hill today for your no-obligation, no-cost case review.
Constant construction is the norm in New York City. Thus, most New Yorkers accept scaffolding as just another part of the city’s landscape. Yet, scaffolding poses significant risks to construction workers and passersby alike. The structures can collapse, or objects may fall from them. New York law holds owners, contractors, and manufacturers responsible for safe scaffolding. If you were injured while passing by or working on scaffolding, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
Shulman & Hill is home to top New York City scaffolding accident lawyers. Our team represents workers and pedestrians who have been injured or killed due to construction accidents. We are ready to fight for you, whether through a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
Why Choose the New York City Scaffolding Accident Lawyers at Shulman & Hill?
At Shulman & Hill, your case is personal to us. We focus on workers’ compensation and personal injury claims. Our multilingual staff provides exceptional service to injured New Yorkers throughout all five boroughs. Visit our conveniently located offices in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Long Island, and Staten Island.
With over a decade of experience, our proven New York scaffolding accident attorneys have what it takes to go to bat for you.
We’re proud to have won recognition from prestigious national organizations. Founding partner Alex Shulman has been named one of the National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 40 Under 40. Also, since 2017, he has been selected as a New York Super Lawyer—an honor reserved for only 5 percent of attorneys in the state—for every year since 2017. When you need compassionate, client-centered legal representation, Shulman & Hill is here for you.
Notable Construction Accident Case Results
Since our founding, Shulman & Hill has helped clients recover over $1 Billion+ in compensation for welding, electrocution, and scaffolding accidents. Our case results speak for themselves. Recent highlights include the following:
- $2.5 million for a non-union laborer injured by improperly secured rebar on a construction site
- $1.5 million for an undocumented day laborer injured by the uncontrolled descent of a steel beam
- $850,000 for a 67-year-old union worker injured in a fall from a scaffold
Hazardous Conditions That Can Lead to Scaffolding Accidents
Most New York City scaffolding accidents can result from safety violations, poor maintenance, defective equipment, and other unsafe worksite conditions.
In some cases, scaffolds are improperly maintained. Construction sites using scaffolding must inspect these structures often, checking for issues such as rusting and loose connections. Failing to clean or repair scaffolds compromises their structural integrity, placing lives at risk.
In others, the equipment itself is defective or poorly designed. Manufacturers may be responsible when pulleys, fall arrest systems, or scaffolding materials fail. In addition, improper installation may cause equipment failure.
Finally, many construction companies and contractors fail to comply with the required safety measures. They may accidentally or intentionally ignore federal regulations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Construction sites must adhere to its stringent guidelines for scaffolding capacity, use, and fall protection.
Examples of these safety regulations include the following:
- Each scaffold must be capable of supporting a minimum of four times its maximum intended load.
- Employees must wear hard hats.
- Laborers cannot work on platforms covered with clutter, snow, or ice.
- Laborers must use guardrails or personal fall arrest systems on scaffolding exceeding 10 feet in height.
- Construction site operators must install debris nets to protect employees and passersby.
Common Types of Scaffolding Accidents in NYC
Scaffolding comes in multiple forms, including supported systems, suspended scaffolds, and mobile scaffolding set on wheels or casters. These temporary platforms are generally made of metal or wood. The materials used depend on the height of the scaffold. Many use “sidewalk sheds” to protect people walking under the construction, especially if workers will use the scaffolding for an extended period.
The most common scaffolding accidents in New York City include the following:
- Construction equipment and other items dropped from the scaffold
- Laborers falling from scaffolding
- Scaffolds collapsing due to improper maintenance or construction
- Workers falling due to safety violations
- Scaffold failure related to manufacturing defects
How an Attorney Can Help With Your Scaffold Accident Case
The NYC scaffolding accident lawyers at Shulman & Hill handle workers’ compensation cases and personal injury claims. Our knowledgeable attorneys guide you through the complex process of filing your claim.
We understand how frightening and confusing a scaffolding accident can be. That’s why the team at Shulman & Hill handles every facet of your case, including:
- Thoroughly explain all your legal options
- Independently investigate your scaffolding accident
- Determine how your accident occurred and who’s responsible
- Gather evidence and secure witness testimony
- Apply relevant city and state laws to your case
- Evaluate your expenses and the accident’s effects
- Negotiate with insurance agencies and at-fault parties
- Fight for you in court, if necessary
If you are injured on the job, you typically can pursue compensation through a workers’ compensation claim. State law requires employers to purchase an insurance policy to compensate injured employees for losses sustained in work-related accidents.
Worker’s compensation is a no-fault system, so you don’t need to establish that your employer was to blame for your accident. However, you are limited to recovering medical benefits and some of your lost wages.
If someone other than your employer is responsible for or contributed to your accident, you may also be able to pursue additional compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit. Potentially liable parties include property owners, contractors, and equipment manufacturers.
What To Do After a Scaffolding Accident in NYC
Whether you’re an employee injured on a job site or a pedestrian hit by falling debris, follow these steps after experiencing a scaffolding accident in NYC.
1. Immediately Seek Medical Attention
Your health always comes first. Even if you seem uninjured, visit a hospital or doctor to get evaluated. Invisible injuries such as brain damage and internal bleeding can be life-threatening if left untreated.
2. Alert Your Employer
If you are injured on the job, you must inform your employer immediately. Promptly alerting your employer protects your right to workers’ compensation and lays the groundwork for a future third-party claim. In New York, you must notify your employer within 30 days of your accident to be eligible for workers’ compensation.
3. Listen to Your Doctor
In the following weeks, record your medical diagnoses and obey all your health care provider’s instructions. Adhering to medical advice and attending follow-up appointments will strengthen your claim.
4. Collect Evidence
Gather as much proof as possible. A New York City scaffold accident lawyer can help with this process. Examples of useful documentation include the following:
- Surveillance camera footage of the incident
- Photos of your injuries
- Videos of the accident site
- An official report from the responding New York Police Department officer
- Witness statements and contact information
5. Speak With an NYC Scaffolding Accident Lawyer
Seek legal advice from an experienced scaffolding accident lawyer in New York City. Professionals such as those at Shulman & Hill will handle complex tasks for you. We’ll investigate, interview witnesses, review your case, determine fault, build your claim, and handle all communication with the insurance companies.
