Queens Construction Accident Lawyer

At The Law Offices of Darren T. Moore, our Queens construction accident lawyer represents injured workers across one of New York City's most active construction markets. Queens sees ongoing high-rises in Long Island City, commercial development in Flushing, and infrastructure projects along the Van Wyck Expressway and BQE. OSHA's "Fatal Four" hazards, including falls, struck-by incidents, electrocution, and caught-in/between accidents, account for more than 60% of all construction worker deaths nationwide. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports roughly 1,000 construction worker fatalities per year across the United States.

New York's Labor Law gives injured Queens construction workers legal options well beyond standard workers' compensation. These laws hold property owners and general contractors to a high standard on every construction project. We have recovered $11.25 million, $6.5 million, $5.25 million, and $4.06 million in construction accident cases across New York.

Our Queens Construction Accident Lawyer Fights for Your Rights

The Law Offices of Darren T. Moore fights for injured construction workers across Queens, from Long Island City's tower sites and Flushing's commercial corridors to Maspeth's industrial zone and Jamaica's infrastructure projects. Darren T. Moore has tried construction accident cases in New York state and federal courts. He has earned recognition from the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, Super Lawyers, and 10 Best Attorneys. Our results speak clearly: $11.25 million, $6.5 million, $5.25 million, and $4.06 million recovered for Queens construction workers.

We know New York Labor Law §§ 200, 240, and 241(6) inside and out. These statutes impose strict duties on property owners and general contractors at every construction site. Our firm works on a "No Win, No Fee" basis, so you pay nothing unless we win. Call (917) 994-9808 today for a free consultation.

New York Labor Law Protections for Injured Construction Workers

New York provides some of the strongest legal protections for construction workers in the country. Three key Labor Law statutes give injured workers powerful tools to pursue full compensation beyond workers' compensation. The sections below explain each statute and how it can help your case.

Labor Law § 240: The Scaffold Law

Labor Law § 240, known as the Scaffold Law, places strict liability on property owners and general contractors for gravity-related injuries. This covers falls from scaffolding, ladders, and roofs, as well as injuries from falling objects. The injured worker does not need to prove the defendant was negligent. They only need to show that proper fall protection and safety devices were absent. This makes § 240 one of the strongest legal tools for construction workers in the United States.

Labor Law § 241(6): Industrial Code Violations

Labor Law § 241(6) places a non-delegable duty on property owners and general contractors to follow specific New York Industrial Code safety regulations. A violation of a specific Industrial Code rule, such as guardrail requirements or trench protection standards, can establish liability without proving general negligence. This statute covers a broader range of hazards than § 240, including struck-by incidents, defective equipment, and unsafe surfaces. It is a critical tool in cases involving structural collapses and machinery failures.

Labor Law § 200: General Duty of Care

Labor Law § 200 requires property owners and general contractors to maintain a reasonably safe workplace. Unlike §§ 240 and 241(6), this statute requires the injured worker to prove the defendant had notice of the hazard or controlled the work that caused the injury. We often pair § 200 claims with § 240 or § 241(6) claims to broaden liability. This layered approach maximizes recovery for every client we represent.

Common Types of Construction Accidents in Queens

Queens' mix of high-rise construction, pre-war building renovations, highway safety projects, and infrastructure work, results in a wide range of accident types. Construction sites near active roadways, including those along the Van Wyck Expressway, South Conduit Avenue, Nassau Expressway, and Queens Blvd, pose a danger due to flagging traffic and passing vehicles. We handle every category of construction accident for Queens construction workers. Common accident types include:

• Falls from heights: Scaffolding collapses, ladder failures, unguarded roof edges, and open floor holes are the leading causes of construction fatalities.
• Struck-by incidents: Falling tools, materials, debris, and crane loads striking workers below
• Caught-in/between hazards: Workers trapped in or between machinery, structural collapses, trenches, or heavy equipment
• Electrocution: Contact with exposed wiring, overhead power lines, or faulty electrical systems during demolition or renovation
• Defective equipment and machinery accidents: Malfunctions involving forklifts, hoists, concrete pumps, and power tools
• Elevator shaft and stairwell falls: Open shafts and unprotected stairwells on active construction sites.
• Highway construction accidents: Workers struck by vehicles, including hit-and-run driver incidents, while flagging traffic near South Conduit Avenue, Nassau Expressway, or the Van Wyck Expressway

The New York State Department of Transportation sets specific highway safety rules for roadway construction zones. Violations of those rules strengthen every negligence claim we build.

Who Is Liable for a Construction Accident in Queens?

Multiple parties are typically liable in a Queens construction accident. Workers' compensation is your exclusive remedy against your direct employer. However, third-party lawsuits against all other responsible parties allow recovery of full damages, including pain and suffering. We investigate every angle to identify all liable parties and maximize your total recovery. Potentially liable parties include:

• Property owners: Strictly liable under Labor Law §§ 240 and 241(6) regardless of direct supervision
• General contractors: Share the same non-delegable duties as property owners under New York Labor Law
• Subcontractors: Liable for their own negligence in creating unsafe conditions or providing defective equipment
• Equipment manufacturers: Product liability claims for defective scaffolding, harnesses, hoists, power tools, or safety gear
• Architects and engineers: For negligent design or approval of unsafe construction methods
• Government entities: For safety regulation failures on public infrastructure projects, subject to notice of claim requirements

Identifying all liable parties is the key to maximizing the insurance coverage available for your recovery.

Injuries Commonly Sustained in Queens Construction Accidents

Construction accidents result in some of the most severe injuries among workplace accidents. Many victims suffer long-term conditions that require lifelong care from medical specialists. We work with medical specialists and a life care planner to document the full cost of every injury our clients sustain. Common injuries in Queens construction accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries: Violent impact forces from falls or being struck cause concussions and lasting cognitive damage
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis: Falls and crush injuries can damage the spine and lead to partial or complete paralysis
• Lumbar herniated disc and spinal stenosis: Construction falls frequently cause serious disc injuries that require epidural injections, surgery, and long-term rehabilitation.
• Bone fractures: Arms, legs, pelvis, and ribs often break in falls and caught-in accidents
• Internal organ damage: Blunt force trauma to the chest and abdomen can damage organs with no visible signs
• Amputation and permanent disfigurement: Crush injuries from heavy machinery or structural collapses can result in limb loss
• Wrongful death: The most catastrophic construction accidents claim lives and leave families with devastating losses

A precise calculation of future medical costs, including ongoing care from medical specialists, epidural injections, and adaptive equipment, is critical to securing full compensation.

Compensation Available to Queens Construction Accident Victims

Queens construction accident victims may pursue substantial compensation through a third-party personal injury lawsuit in addition to their workers' compensation claim. Our multi-million-dollar recoveries reflect the significant compensation available when New York Labor Law protections are used to their full extent. Types of compensation available include:

• Medical expenses: Emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, prosthetics, epidural injections, and projected lifetime medical costs
• Lost wages and earning capacity: Income lost during recovery and permanently reduced future earnings for disabling injuries.
• Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, PTSD, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life, damages NOT available through workers' compensation
• Wrongful death damages: Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship for surviving family members

We fight to recover every dollar our clients deserve, from immediate medical bills to long-term costs documented by a life care planner.

Frequently Asked Questions About Construction Accident Claims in Queens

Can I file a lawsuit if I was injured on a Queens construction site?

Yes. You can file a third-party personal injury lawsuit against property owners, general contractors, and other non-employer parties alongside your workers' compensation claim.

• Workers' comp covers medical bills and partial lost wages
• A third-party lawsuit recovers pain and suffering and full lost wages
• Both claims can run at the same time to maximize your total recovery

What is the Scaffold Law, and how does it help my case?

Labor Law § 240 holds property owners and contractors strictly liable for gravity-related injuries. You do not need to prove negligence to win your case.

• Covers falls from scaffolding, ladders, and roofs
• Also covers injuries from falling objects at construction sites
• One of the strongest worker protection laws in the United States

How long do I have to file a construction accident lawsuit in New York?

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims is 3 years from the date of the accident. Workers' compensation claims must be filed within two years of the injury.

• Personal injury lawsuit: three years from the accident date
• Workers' compensation claim: two years from the date of injury
• Claims against government entities may require a 90-day notice of claim

Can I receive both workers' comp and a lawsuit settlement?

Yes. Injured workers may collect workers' compensation benefits and pursue a separate third-party lawsuit for additional damages, including pain and suffering.

• Workers' comp covers immediate medical costs and partial lost wages
• A third-party lawsuit recovers the full value of your losses
• We coordinate both claims to maximize your total compensation

What if I am an undocumented worker injured on a construction site?

Immigration status does not prevent you from filing a construction accident claim in New York. You are entitled to the same legal protections as any other worker.

• New York Labor Law protections apply to all construction workers
• Workers' compensation benefits are available regardless of immigration status
• We handle your case with full confidentiality and respect

How much does it cost to hire The Law Offices of Darren T. Moore?

Our firm works on a "No Win, No Fee" basis. You pay nothing up front and owe no fees unless we recover compensation for you.

• Zero upfront costs to start your case
• We only collect a fee when we win
• Call (917) 382-1746 for a free consultation today

Contact The Law Offices of Darren T. Moore for a Free Queens Construction Accident Consultation

The Law Offices of Darren T. Moore has recovered $11.25 million, $6.5 million, $5.25 million, and $4.06 million in construction accident cases for injured workers across all five boroughs. Our firm holds recognition from the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, Super Lawyers, and the American Association for Justice. We work on a "No Win, No Fee" basis, so there are no upfront costs and no fees unless we win.

Evidence on active construction sites changes daily as work continues. Safety logs, records of defective equipment, and site conditions must be preserved before they disappear. Our office serves Queens construction workers throughout the borough, including clients near 75-60 188th St, Flushing, NY. Call (917) 382-1746 today for a free consultation with an experienced Queens construction accident lawyer.