Manhattan’s skyline is constantly evolving, but behind every construction project is a job site filled with serious risks. When safety rules are ignored, construction accidents can leave workers facing catastrophic injuries, lost income, and an uncertain future. During these overwhelming moments, having the right legal advocate matters. The construction accident lawyers in Manhattan at Aviles Law Firm PLLC stand with injured workers and their families, combining compassion with relentless strength.
Our team is committed to providing our clients with the highest level of legal representation while holding negligent parties accountable. Call today to get started with our Manhattan personal injury attorneys.
Why Injured Construction Workers Trust Aviles Law Firm PLLC
Construction accident cases are rarely simple. They often involve:
- Multiple contractors
- Property owners
- Insurance carriers
- Overlapping state and federal safety laws
We are known for stepping in where other firms step back. Many of our cases come from referrals by other law firms that recognize our ability to handle the most complex and high-stakes matters. Our lawyers prepare every case as though it will go to trial, using advanced personal injury litigation tactics and deep trial court experience to uncover negligence and build powerful claims.
That approach has led to some of the most significant results in New York history. Our lawyers secured a $44,706,444 verdict for a union construction worker who suffered catastrophic spinal injuries resulting in paraplegia, along with multiple multi-million-dollar settlements for workers injured in falls from ladders and unsafe job sites. These outcomes reflect more than numbers; they demonstrate our ability to take on powerful defendants, navigate complicated liability issues, and fight relentlessly for injured workers facing life-altering harm.
Just as important, we never lose sight of the human behind each case. As the premier Hispanic-owned personal injury law firm in the history of New York, our diverse, bilingual team understands the communities we serve and the stakes our clients face.
What to Do After a Construction Accident in Manhattan
A construction accident can leave you injured, shaken, and unsure of what to do next. The steps you take immediately after the incident can protect both your health and your ability to pursue compensation. Acting carefully and deliberately can make a meaningful difference in the strength of your case.
Seek Medical Attention Right Away
Get emergency care or see a medical professional as soon as possible. Serious injuries, including head, spinal, and internal injuries, are not always obvious at first. Getting medical treatment quickly helps establish a clear link between the accident and your injuries and ensures you get the care you need.
Report the Accident
Notify your supervisor, foreman, or site manager immediately. Ensure an official accident report is completed. This creates an important paper trail that supports your claim.
Document the Scene if You Are Able
Take photos or videos of the hazardous condition, equipment involved, and your injuries. Try to document the area before conditions change or hazards are removed. Collect names and contact information for any witnesses as well.
Avoid Speaking With Insurance Companies Alone
Insurance companies often look for ways to reduce or deny claims. Do not give recorded statements or sign documents without legal guidance.
Contact a Manhattan Construction Accident Lawyer
Construction accident cases often involve multiple parties and complex New York labor laws. We understand these laws and how they affect your case.
Recoverable Compensation After a Manhattan Construction Accident
A construction accident can leave you facing overwhelming physical, emotional, and financial losses. When your injuries are caused by unsafe conditions or negligence, New York law allows you to pursue compensation that reflects the full impact of what you’ve endured. The Manhattan construction accident attorneys at Aviles Law Firm PLLC focus on uncovering every category of damages so injured workers are not left carrying the burden alone.
- Medical expenses, such as emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, future medical treatment, long-term care, medications, and medical equipment
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity, including income lost while you are unable to work, reduced earning ability if you cannot return to your prior job or trade, and loss of union benefits, retirement contributions, or pensions
- Pain and suffering for the physical pain caused by serious or catastrophic injuries, emotional distress, anxiety, psychological trauma, and ongoing mental and emotional strain during recovery
- Loss of quality of life for the inability to participate in activities you once enjoyed, loss of independence or need for daily assistance, and strain on family relationships and personal life
- Scarring, disfigurement, and permanent disability for any visible scarring or permanent disfigurement and life-altering impairments such as paralysis, amputations, or loss of mobility
If you lost a loved one, we can build a wrongful death claim on your behalf. While no amount of money will bring your loved one back, it can allow you the space to grieve without worrying about making ends meet.
We Have the Results You Want
Our lawyers have secured significant results for workers facing catastrophic harm. While these results demonstrate our ability to take on the most complex construction accident cases, they are not a guarantee of future outcomes.
The construction accident attorneys at Aviles Law Firm PLLC are committed to fighting for our clients and pursuing compensation that truly reflects the severity of their injuries and the long-term consequences they face.
We Build Robust Cases Against All Liable Parties in a Manhattan Construction Accident
Construction accident claims are rarely limited to a single negligent party. Manhattan job sites often involve countless contractors, owners, and third parties, each with overlapping safety responsibilities. Identifying who is liable is only the first step. Building a strong case requires proving how each party’s actions or failures contributed to your injuries. We are known for handling these complex, multi-defendant cases with precision and trial-ready preparation.
Below are the parties who may be held responsible, along with how our lawyers build the evidence needed to hold them accountable.
- Property owners are often held strictly liable under New York labor laws for unsafe conditions. Our lawyers review ownership records, contracts, and site control to establish legal responsibility. We analyze whether owners failed to provide required safety devices or allowed dangerous conditions to persist.
- General contractors are responsible for overall site safety and coordination. We examine safety plans, daily logs, supervision practices, and prior violations. Failure to enforce safety rules or correct known hazards can establish liability.
- Subcontractors from trade-specific companies whose work created or exposed workers to hazards can be liable. We investigate which subcontractor controlled the work area, tools, or equipment involved. Witness statements and job-site sequencing often play a key role.
- Construction managers may be liable if they had authority over site safety and compliance. We review contracts to determine the scope of their control and safety obligations. Liability often hinges on whether they had the power to stop unsafe work.
- Equipment and machinery manufacturers could be liable for defective equipment and machinery, such as scaffolds, ladders, tools, or safety devices. Our team works with engineers and industry experts to analyze design flaws or manufacturing defects. These claims can significantly increase available compensation.
- Maintenance and repair companies responsible for inspecting or servicing equipment can share liability if their failure caused or contributed to the accident or injury. We obtain maintenance records to identify skipped inspections or improper repairs.
- Third-party vendors or delivery companies whose negligence introduced dangerous conditions onto the site can be liable. Vehicle records, delivery schedules, and surveillance footage can be critical evidence.
- Government entities may be liable for public or municipal projects. Our lawyers act quickly to meet strict notice and filing deadlines unique to these claims.
How We Build Strong Construction Accident Cases
To build a case against the liable party(s), our attorneys:
- Conduct immediate, on-site investigations when possible
- Preserve critical evidence before it is altered or destroyed
- Review contracts to uncover hidden layers of responsibility
- Analyze OSHA findings and New York labor law violations
- Work with construction safety experts, engineers, and medical professionals
- Prepare every case as though it will go to trial
Our firm has built a reputation for taking on construction accident cases that other firms will not, cases involving multiple defendants, disputed liability, and catastrophic injuries. By identifying every liable party and building a detailed, evidence-driven case, our lawyers place injured workers in the strongest possible position to pursue meaningful compensation.
How Long Do I Have to Take Action After a Construction Accident?
In most cases, you have three years to file a construction accident lawsuit, per CPLR § 214. However, some cases may have shorter deadlines. If you fail to file before the deadline, you risk recovering nothing.
We recommend that you get in touch with us as soon as possible to protect your right to compensation.
See What We Can Do for You
A serious construction accident can change your life in an instant, but you do not have to face the aftermath alone. If you were injured on a job site, the construction accident lawyers at Aviles Law Firm PLLC are ready to stand between you and the powerful parties trying to avoid responsibility. Our lawyers take on the most complex cases and fight relentlessly for injured workers and their families.
Contact our firm today for a free, confidential consultation and take the first step toward protecting your rights and your future.
FAQs
Can I Sue if I Receive Workers’ Compensation?
Yes, in many cases you can. Workers’ compensation generally prevents you from suing your direct employer, but it does not stop you from pursuing a lawsuit against third parties whose negligence contributed to your injuries. Liable third parties may include:
- Property owners
- General contractors
- Subcontractors
- Equipment manufacturers
- Other outside companies on the job site
These third-party claims are often where injured construction workers can recover full compensation beyond workers’ compensation benefits. Our team regularly handles these complex claims.
What Laws May Affect My Construction Accident Case?
Construction accident cases in Manhattan are often governed by powerful New York labor laws designed to protect workers, including:
- Labor Law § 200, which addresses general workplace safety
- Labor Law § 240 (the Scaffold Law), which protects workers injured in height-related accidents
- Labor Law § 241(6), which applies to violations of specific construction safety regulations
Depending on the circumstances, OSHA regulations, contract provisions, and other state laws may also apply. These laws can shift liability away from the injured worker and onto owners and contractors, making experienced legal representation very beneficial.
These laws are complex and require a deep understanding of construction accident law. Our team has that.
What Are Common Causes of Construction Accidents?
Construction sites are dangerous environments, especially when safety rules are ignored. Common causes of construction accidents and injuries include:
- Falls from scaffolds, ladders, roofs, or elevated platforms
- Falling objects and unsecured materials
- Crane, hoist, and heavy equipment accidents
- Electrical hazards
- Trench collapses and structural failures
- Defective or improperly maintained tools and machinery
Many of these accidents are preventable and stem from failures to follow safety regulations or provide proper protective equipment.
What Injuries Do We Handle?
Our law firm focuses on serious and catastrophic construction injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, paralysis, and herniated discs
- Severe orthopedic injuries and multiple fractures
- Crush injuries and amputations
- Burns and electrocution injuries
- Fatal construction accidents
Our lawyers are known for taking on the most complex, high-stakes construction accident cases in New York.
Can I Afford a Lawyer?
Our team takes cases on a contingency fee basis. You don’t pay anything upfront, and you only pay for our time if we win your case. This allows you to get the legal representation you deserve without throwing thousands of dollars down.
