NYC Cement and Concrete Burns Lawyer

When wet cement touches your skin, it easily results in a chemical burn. With a pH level similar to drain cleaner, wet cement is a highly alkaline substance that eats through layers of skin and tissue, causing deep, permanent damage. If you've suffered a cement burn on a construction site in New York City or Long Island, your situation is governed by specific laws that could entitle you to significant compensation beyond a standard workers' compensation claim.

Why? Because New York Labor Law places a direct and non-delegable duty on property owners and general contractors to ensure their sites are safe. This means if they failed to provide the right protective gear or proper washing facilities, they can be held financially responsible for the full extent of your injuries. This opens the door to a personal injury lawsuit, a separate track from workers' comp that allows you to pursue payment for pain, suffering, and scarring—damages workers' comp doesn't cover.

At The Perecman Firm, we focus on construction accident cases. Recovering from a severe burn is your job; let us handle the legal process. 

For a free, confidential conversation about your case, call us at (212) 977-7033.

Why Choose The Perecman Firm for Your NYC Cement and Concrete Burn Injury Case?

For over 40 years, The Perecman Firm has been a pillar of support for injured workers in New York City and Long Island. Our history is built on holding negligent parties accountable, and our results include recovering more than half a billion dollars for our clients. We know the challenges you face because we have dedicated our careers to this specific area of law.

Our track record includes some of the highest verdicts and settlements in New York State, such as a $15.2 million verdict for an injured sheet metal worker and a $12 million settlement for a union driver. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, a strategy that ensures we are always negotiating from a position of strength.

We believe that justice should be accessible to everyone. That is why we offer:

• A Free Case Review: We will listen to your story and explain your legal options without any cost or obligation.
• A No-Win, No-Fee Promise: You will not pay us any attorney's fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. This is called a contingency fee basis.
• Personalized Attention: Your case will be handled by our dedicated team, and we are available 24/7 to answer your questions. Our multilingual staff can assist clients in Spanish, Russian, Slovakian, and Polish.

Our main office is conveniently located at 250 West 57th Street in Midtown Manhattan, just a short walk from Columbus Circle and major subway lines, making it easily accessible from anywhere in the five boroughs and Long Island.

What Is the Potential Value of a Cement Burn Injury Claim?

While no two cases are identical, a personal injury claim is designed to provide financial stability for every loss you have suffered. The compensation we pursue is divided into different categories. 

These categories include:

• All Medical Bills: This covers everything from the initial emergency room visit to future surgeries, skin grafts, physical therapy, and medication.
• Lost Income and Wages: Compensation for the paychecks you have already missed while unable to work.
• Diminished Earning Capacity: If your burn injury results in permanent limitations that prevent you from returning to your previous job or earning the same income, this compensates you for that future lost income.
• Non-Economic Damages: These damages are meant to compensate you for the intangible, but very real, human cost of the injury.
• Economic Damages: These are the tangible, calculable financial losses tied directly to your injury.

• Pain and Suffering: For the physical pain associated with the burn and the recovery process.
• Scarring and Disfigurement: Cement burns often leave significant, permanent scars. This part of the claim addresses the emotional and psychological impact of living with a visible disfigurement.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: For the ways the injury has taken away your ability to participate in hobbies and activities you once loved.
• Punitive Damages: In some rare instances where the defendant's conduct was exceptionally reckless or malicious, a court may award punitive damages. This is not meant to compensate you for a loss, but rather to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.

How Common Are Cement Burns on Construction Sites?

As mentioned above, wet cement is one of the most alkaline substances on a job site, with a pH as high as 13 (which is similar to drain cleaner), and it’s responsible for a large number of work-related chemical burns. Yet, the true frequency of cement burns remains obscured due to gaps in public reporting.

Government Data Is Limited and Outdated

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not publish detailed breakdowns of cement burns in its annual injury data. Chemical burns are lumped into broad categories like “skin disorders” or “contact with harmful substances,” making it impossible to extract exact numbers specific to cement exposure. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) similarly tracks chemical burns without identifying the agents that caused them.

This lack of visibility hides the real risk. Medical journals and case studies routinely cite cement as one of the most common sources of work-related chemical burns, particularly among construction laborers, masons, and concrete finishers.

Medical Research Fills in the Gaps

Studies published in The Journal of Burn Care & Research, Burns, and The Journal of Emergency Medicine consistently report that cement burns account for 25% to 30% of occupational chemical burns in the United States. These injuries are frequently severe due to a delayed pain response—by the time a worker feels the burn, deep tissue damage has already occurred. Treatment commonly requires debridement, skin grafts, and lengthy rehabilitation.

One study from Burns found that the average hospital stay for a moderate-to-severe cement burn was over two weeks, with many patients needing ongoing outpatient care for months. These injuries are permanently disabling in some cases, particularly when nerve damage or infection sets in.

No Local Tracking in New York City

Despite being one of the busiest construction hubs in the country, New York City does not maintain public databases or safety reports that track cement-specific injuries. City agencies report general construction incidents, but cement burns are rarely identified. Given how commonly cement is used—from sidewalks to high-rise foundations—the absence of localized data is concerning.

However, anecdotal reports and legal case histories suggest that these injuries are far from rare. The New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) has flagged chemical exposure as a recurring problem on sites that lack proper protective gear or washing facilities—two of the main culprits in cement burn cases.

How Cement Burn Injuries Happen and Who Is Responsible

A cement burn is a serious injury that typically results from a breakdown in safety protocols. Wet cement causes first, second, or even third-degree burns that destroy all layers of skin and damage the muscle and bone underneath. These injuries frequently lead to permanent scarring, chronic pain, nerve damage, and dangerous infections.

Common causes include:

• Defective Protective Gear: Gloves with holes or boots that are not waterproof allow wet cement to seep in and remain trapped against the skin.
• Cement Splashes: When cement splashes into a boot or onto exposed skin, the chemical process begins immediately if not washed off.
• Kneeling in Wet Concrete: Workers who must kneel in fresh concrete without proper waterproof knee pads are at extreme risk.
• Lack of Washing Facilities: OSHA requires employers to provide clean water and pH-neutral soap. The absence of these facilities turns a minor exposure into a major injury.
• Insufficient Training: Workers who are not properly trained on the chemical dangers of wet cement may not understand the urgency of washing it off immediately.

New York Laws That Protect You

This is where New York's specific labor laws become so important. They create a framework for holding property owners and general contractors accountable.

• New York Labor Law § 241(6): This law is central to cement burn cases. It requires owners and general contractors to ensure that all construction areas are operated to provide "reasonable and adequate protection and safety." This duty is "non-delegable," meaning they cannot pass the responsibility to a subcontractor.
• New York Industrial Code Rule 23-1.7(h): This rule specifically addresses protection from corrosive substances. It mandates that workers using such materials must be given proper eye, face, and body protection. A failure to do so is direct evidence of negligence.

What to Expect from the Insurance Company

After an injury, you are not just dealing with a construction company; you are dealing with their insurance carrier. An insurance company's primary goal is to protect its bottom line by paying out as little as possible on claims. 

Some strategies an insurer might use include:

• Offering a Quick, Low Settlement: They may contact you shortly after the injury with a fast payment offer. This amount is almost always a fraction of what your case is truly worth and is designed to get you to sign away your rights before you understand the full extent of your injuries.
• Disputing the Injury's Severity: An insurer might claim the burn is not as severe as your doctors say or that you do not need the future medical care being recommended.
• Blaming You for the Accident: They may try to argue that you were careless, even when the ultimate responsibility for site safety lies with the owner and general contractor under New York law.
• Delaying the Process: By dragging out the claims process, they hope you will become frustrated and desperate enough to accept an unfair offer.

What Should I Do to Protect My Rights After a Cement and Concrete Burn Injury?

While your legal team builds your case, there are several things you can do to help document the reality of your injury and its impact on your life. 

1. Follow Your Doctor's Treatment Plan: Attending all your medical appointments and following your doctor's orders creates an official record that demonstrates the seriousness of your injury.
2. Keep a Photographic Record: Take clear photos of your burn every few days, especially in the beginning. This creates a visual timeline of the injury's progression and healing process, which can be much more impactful than medical records alone.
3. Write in a Journal: Briefly jot down notes each day about your pain levels, the challenges you face with daily tasks, and any activities you can no longer do. This journal can be a powerful tool for demonstrating your pain and suffering.
4. Hold on to All Paperwork: Keep every receipt for medical co-pays, prescriptions, and any other out-of-pocket expenses. Also, keep any work-related documents you have.
5. Stay Off Social Media: Insurance companies will search your social media profiles for anything they can use against you. A single photo or post can be taken out of context to argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim. It is best to avoid posting altogether while your case is ongoing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cement Burn Cases

Let Us Help You Rebuild

The law provides a path to hold the responsible parties accountable and secure the resources you need to move forward.

Our construction accident lawyers at the Perecman Firm is ready to be your guide and your advocate through this process. We have the experience, the resources, and the dedication to see your case through to the best possible outcome.

Your first step is a simple phone call. Contact us today at 212-977-7033 or fill out our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation.