Scaffold and Ladder Accident Lawyer NYC
NYC scaffold and ladder accident lawyers using Labor Law 240 absolute liability for falls from height, collapses and missing safety devices.
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Labor Law 240 — the Scaffold Law — is the strongest claim in New York
When a scaffold, ladder, hoist, sling, brace or harness is absent or inadequate and a worker falls, or is struck by a falling object, Labor Law 240(1) imposes absolute liability on the property owner and general contractor. Your own carelessness is generally not a defence. This is why an injured worker with a comp claim alone is often leaving the most valuable part of their case untouched.
Situations covered
- Scaffold and sidewalk shed collapses, and planks giving way.
- Unsecured A-frame and extension ladders shifting or kicking out.
- Missing guardrails, toe boards, safety nets or anchorage points.
- Harnesses provided without a place to tie off — legally the same as no harness.
- Falls through unguarded openings, shafts and skylights.
- Objects, tools and materials falling from height onto workers below.
- Hoist, bucket and lift failures.
What must be preserved
The scaffold, ladder or harness itself, before it is dismantled or repaired; site photographs and safety logs; DOB permits, violations and stop-work orders; the site safety manager's records; and the full permit chain identifying the owner, GC and every subcontractor. Lawyers typically send preservation demands within days, because sites change weekly.
Injuries these falls cause
Spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, complex fractures, and fatal falls. Valuation runs on lifetime care and lost earning capacity — see how cases are valued.
Comp and the third-party claim together
You can receive workers' compensation and simultaneously bring a Labor Law claim against the owner and general contractor. The comp carrier holds a lien on the recovery, which lawyers typically negotiate. Immigration status does not affect your right to bring the claim.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about this topic.
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To ask about your situation, use the free enquiry form on this page or book a call. Personal Injury NYC is not a law firm, and an enquiry does not create an attorney-client relationship. Many New York injury attorneys work on a contingency fee, but the percentage and case costs vary, so ask for the terms in writing before you sign.
Sources and editorial review
Last reviewed: . Written and checked by the Personal Injury NYC editorial team against the official New York sources listed. This page has not been reviewed by an attorney. Time limits vary by claim — many personal injury lawsuits must be started within three years (CPLR 214), claims against a city or other public body can require a notice of claim in as little as 90 days, and medical malpractice and wrongful death have different limits. Check the official sources below and confirm your deadline with a New York-licensed attorney.
- NY Courts — Statute of limitations timetable
- NY Courts — What is a statute of limitations?
- NY Senate — CPLR 214 (three-year actions)
- NY Department of Financial Services — Auto insurance resource center
Personal Injury NYC is a legal-information and case-enquiry website operated by Pearl Lemon Group. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or representation. Information on this page is general and is not legal advice. About this website · How enquiries are handled
Send an enquiry about your injury
Tell the Personal Injury NYC team what happened and how to reach you. Your enquiry goes to the Pearl Lemon Group team that runs this website, not to a law firm. Sending it does not create an attorney-client relationship, hire a lawyer or stop a legal deadline.