Nearly $1 Billion Recovered | 40+ Years of Experience | No Fee Unless We Win
In New York City, construction workers build our ever-changing vertical skyline. In Brooklyn, that means the high-rises transforming Downtown Brooklyn, the waterfront projects reshaping Greenpoint and Williamsburg, and the steady renovation work across neighborhoods from Park Slope to Bed-Stuy.
If you were injured doing one of the toughest jobs there is, you’re likely dealing with doctors, medical bills, and an employer or insurance company that may not be giving you straight answers. You need to know where you stand and whether you're positioned to collect the maximum compensation the law allows.
Our Brooklyn construction accident lawyers have been answering those questions for injured workers for over 40 years. We know the Labor Laws that protect you. We know the tactics insurance companies use. And we've recovered nearly a billion dollars for people in situations like yours.
If you're ready to talk, we're ready to listen. Contact us online or call us today for a free consultation.
Can You Sue for a Construction Accident in Brooklyn?
Yes, and New York law provides injured construction workers with powerful protections that are not available in most other states.
Under Labor Law Section 240 (the Scaffold Law), property owners and general contractors are strictly liable when a worker falls from a height or is struck by a falling object due to inadequate safety equipment. You may not need to prove negligence—only that you were hurt in a gravity-related accident without proper protection.
Beyond the Scaffold Law, you may also have claims under Labor Law Sections 200 and 241(6), workers' compensation benefits, and third-party lawsuits against equipment manufacturers or subcontractors.
Identifying every available source of compensation takes experience and thorough investigation—exactly what we bring to the table.
Why Brooklyn Workers Trust The Perecman Firm
When you're injured on a construction site, you're going up against well-funded insurance companies and their legal teams. You need attorneys who won't be outmatched in a construction accident. Here's why injured workers throughout Brooklyn choose us:
A Track Record That Speaks for Itself
We've recovered nearly a billion dollars for our clients. In construction accident cases alone, we've secured verdicts and settlements including:
- $19 million for a worker struck by a falling steel beam
- $15.2 million jury verdict for a worker who fell when a ladder was kicked out from under him
- $12 million for a union driver injured in a ladder fall from a truck container
- $11.9 million for a union worker who fell from a scaffold and injured his back
- $10 million verdict for a laborer who fell from a suspended scaffold
Every case is unique, and past results don't guarantee future outcomes. But these numbers reflect our commitment to fighting for maximum compensation and our ability to deliver when it counts.
Deep Knowledge of New York Labor Laws
Construction accident cases involve a web of labor laws, building codes, and U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
We've been handling these cases for over four decades. We understand what evidence the courts require and how to get it. When insurance companies try to minimize your claim, we know challenge their tactics.
You're Never Just a Case Number
Some firms sign up hundreds of clients and hand cases off to paralegals. When you work with us, you work with experienced attorneys who know your name, understand your injuries, and are personally invested in your outcome. We treat our clients like family because we understand what's at stake.
Award-Winning Legal Team
Our attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and the National Trial Lawyers Top 100. We've earned a reputation as attorneys who prepare every case for trial and aren't afraid to go the distance to secure the settlement. See our awards and recognition.
Ready to discuss your case? Contact us today for a free consultation.
What Types of Brooklyn Construction Accident Cases Do You Handle?
From the high-rises going up near Atlantic Terminal to renovation projects along Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn's construction boom creates jobs, but also serious hazards. Our attorneys represent workers injured in every type of construction accident:
Scaffold and Ladder Falls
Falls remain the leading cause of construction fatalities in New York City. When scaffolding collapses, ladders shift, or workers lack proper fall protection, the injuries are often catastrophic—spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, shattered bones. Under Labor Law 240, property owners and contractors are strictly liable when safety measures fail.
Falling Object Injuries
Tools, steel beams, and debris falling from above cause devastating injuries to workers on the ground. Whether you were struck by construction materials or improperly secured equipment, the Scaffold Law's strict liability protections extend to these accidents as well.
Crane and Heavy Equipment Accidents
Cranes, forklifts, and excavators can cause fatal injuries when operators aren't properly trained or when equipment isn't maintained. These cases often involve multiple responsible parties, including equipment manufacturers, site supervisors, and companies that failed to inspect the machinery.
Electrocution and Electrical Burns
Construction workers face electrical hazards from exposed wiring, contact with overhead power lines, and defective equipment. Electrocutions can cause cardiac arrest, severe burns, and nerve damage requiring extensive treatment and long-term rehabilitation.
Trench Collapses
Excavation work carries serious risks when trenches aren't properly shored. These accidents can cause crushing injuries, suffocation, and death. OSHA requires specific safety measures for trench work, and violations help establish liability against contractors who cut corners.
Struck-By Accidents
Being struck by vehicles, swinging loads, or moving equipment is one of OSHA's "Fatal Four" leading causes of construction deaths. Proper signaling, barriers, and safety protocols can prevent these accidents. When they fail, the parties responsible should be held accountable.
Whatever caused your injury, we'll investigate the circumstances, identify all responsible parties, and pursue every source of compensation. Our goal is to maximize your recovery, even if it means going to court.
What Are the Most Common Construction Accident Injuries?
Brooklyn construction workers are at especially high risk for on-the-job injuries. Common construction site accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Partial or total paralysis
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Burns, electrical shocks, and electrocutions
- Toxic exposure or inhalation injuries
- Loss of hearing or vision
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Brooklyn Construction Accident?
Construction sites involve multiple contractors, subcontractors, and property owners—any of whom may share responsibility when a worker gets hurt. Identifying all liable parties is critical to maximizing your compensation, which is why a construction accident attorney is essential. Depending on the circumstances, you may have claims against:
Property owners
Under New York's Labor Laws, owners face strict liability for gravity-related accidents even if they didn't directly cause the hazard. They have a non-delegable duty to ensure worker safety. They can’t hand that responsibility off to someone else.
General contractors
The general contractor controls the job site and bears responsibility for overall safety. When they cut corners, fail to provide equipment, or ignore hazards, they can be held liable.
Subcontractors
If a subcontractor's negligence contributed to your accident through faulty work, inadequate supervision, or safety violations, you may have a third-party claim.
Equipment manufacturers
Defective scaffolding, machinery, or safety equipment can trigger product liability claims against the companies that made them.
We work with construction safety experts and engineers to uncover every liable party and build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Construction Accident?
Construction accidents often cause severe injuries requiring extensive treatment and keeping workers off the job for months or permanently. You may be entitled to compensation through multiple channels:
Workers' compensation
Workers’ comp is a no-fault system that covers medical expenses and partial wage replacement regardless of fault, but doesn't compensate for pain and suffering or your full income loss. That's why pursuing other claims matters.
Third-party claims
If other parties besides your employer caused or contributed to your injuries, you may be able to file a third-party claim against the negligent parties. These claims may recover full lost wages (past and future), complete medical expenses, including rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and diminished earning capacity if you can't return to your previous work.
Labor Law claims
New York labor laws Sections 240, 241(6), and 200 provide some of the most powerful protections for construction workers in the U.S. These claims provide additional avenues for recovery, with Section 240 imposing strict liability for gravity-related accidents.
Determining which claims apply to your situation and how to pursue them effectively requires experienced legal guidance. Our Brooklyn construction accident lawyers will evaluate your construction accident case and explain all your options.
What If a Loved One Died in a Brooklyn Construction Accident?
Losing a family member to a construction accident is devastating. No legal claim can undo that loss. But holding responsible parties accountable can provide financial security for your family and help prevent similar tragedies from happening to others.
New York law allows wrongful death claims to recover funeral and burial expenses, the lost financial support your loved one would have provided, loss of parental guidance for children, and compensation for conscious pain and suffering before death.
We understand that discussing legal matters during such a painful time feels impossible. Our attorneys handle these cases with the compassion your family deserves while still fighting aggressively for the compensation you're owed.
How Long Do You Have to File a Construction Accident Lawsuit?
Time matters in construction accident cases. Under New York's statute of limitations, you generally have three years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Wrongful death claims must typically be filed within two years of the date of death.
These deadlines may seem far off, but building a strong case takes time. Evidence must be preserved, witnesses interviewed, and experts consulted. Starting early gives your legal team the best chance to prepare a compelling construction accident in NYC case.
Workers' compensation has separate deadlines: report your injury to your employer within 30 days and file your claim within two years. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the better protected your rights will be.
What Should You Do After a Construction Accident in Brooklyn?
If you've received medical attention, there are small steps you can take to protect your rights and the full value of your claim:
- Talk to a lawyer first. Construction cases involve complex liability questions and multiple potential defendants. An experienced attorney helps you avoid mistakes that could hurt your claim.
- Keep all medical appointments. Follow your treatment plan and attend all follow-ups. Gaps in treatment give insurers excuses to minimize your injuries.
- Document everything. Keep a journal of pain levels, limitations, and how injuries affect daily life. Save all medical bills, pay stubs, and receipts.
- Report the accident to your employer within 30 days to preserve workers' compensation rights. Get this in writing if possible.
- Don't give recorded statements to insurance adjusters. Politely decline and direct them to your attorney.
- Pause your social media activity to safeguard against defense teams and insurers that often look for evidence to use against you on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, and other social media platforms.
Taking these steps early can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
Serving Construction Workers Across Brooklyn
From our Manhattan office near Columbus Circle, we represent injured workers from job sites throughout Brooklyn.
From the tower cranes near Barclays Center to renovation projects in Park Slope, and from the waterfront development in Greenpoint to infrastructure work along the Belt Parkway, we’re ready to help.
The Brooklyn construction accident attorneys at The Perecman Firm are experienced with Kings County Supreme Court, where most Brooklyn personal injury cases are filed, and have decades of experience litigating construction claims throughout New York's court system.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brooklyn Construction Accidents
How much does a Brooklyn construction accident lawyer cost?
We handle construction accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront fees, and we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. The initial consultation is free, and there's no financial risk.
Can I sue if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Yes. New York's pure comparative negligence rule lets you recover damages even if partially at fault, but your award is reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
However, in Labor Law 240, comparative negligence generally isn't a valid defense because property owners and contractors are absolutely liable, making these personal injury claims particularly strong for injured workers.
What if I'm undocumented? Can I still file a claim?
Yes. Immigration status doesn't affect your right to file workers' compensation or personal injury claims in New York. The law protects all workers, regardless of documentation status. We treat all consultations with strict confidentiality.
Will I lose my job if I file a claim?
New York law prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who file workers' compensation claims. Firing, demoting, or harassing an employee for exercising their legal rights is illegal. If you experience retaliation, you may have additional legal remedies.
How long do construction accident cases take?
Every case is different. Some settle within months, while others may take longer. The timeline depends on liability complexity, injury severity, whether you've reached maximum medical improvement, and many other factors unique to your case. Our goal is always to resolve your claim efficiently while securing full compensation.
Talk to a Brooklyn Construction Accident Lawyer Today
A construction accident can upend your life, but you don't have to face this alone, and you may have stronger options for compensation than you realize.
If you have been injured on a construction site in Brooklyn, don’t hesitate to reach out to The Perecman Firm. One of our experienced Brooklyn construction accident lawyers can discuss your concerns and explain your legal rights. Your consultation is free and comes without obligation. And you’ll never pay us anything out of pocket for our services.
When you work with The Perecman Firm, you get a team of relentless advocates who will pursue every dollar you're owed. Contact us online for your free case review today.