Construction elevators in New York City are heavily regulated for a reason. When they malfunction due to poor maintenance, improper installation, or failure to follow safety protocols, workers get hurt. These accidents can involve elevator shaft falls, hoist failures, or crushing injuries, many of which require long-term medical care and lead to permanent work restrictions.
Workers’ compensation may help with medical expenses and lost wages, and for most injured construction workers, it’s the go-to for financial support after an accident. But it may not be the only source of compensation. A skilled NYC construction elevator accident lawyer can evaluate your case to identify other sources of compensation besides your employer.
If a general contractor, building owner, or elevator maintenance company caused or contributed to your accident, you may be able to pursue broader compensation in a third-party liability claim.
Key Takeaways from NYC Construction Elevator Accident Lawyer
- Elevator accidents on NYC construction sites often involve serious physical injuries such as spinal cord damage, head trauma, and broken bones.
- Many elevator accident injury cases result from equipment defects, missed inspections, or violations of New York Labor Law protections.
- Building owners, contractors, and elevator maintenance companies may all share legal responsibility for elevator-related construction accidents.
- Injured workers may have multiple legal options, including third-party personal injury claims on top of workers’ compensation.
- Third-party claims may result in compensation for medical bills, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and more.
- The Perecman Firm builds ironclad cases for injured NYC construction workers and aggressively pursues fair compensation from all responsible parties.
Why Injured Construction Workers Choose The Perecman Firm
Construction accidents result in the worst workplace injuries we’ve seen. Each one is different, but what remains constant is how severely they affect your health, finances, and future.
The Perecman Firm brings an unwavering commitment to every case we take. When you partner with us, you're not just hiring any law firm. You’re gaining a dedicated legal team that knows the stakes, understands New York labor law, and treats your case with the urgency and care it deserves. We provide:
Compassionate, client-centered representation
You’re more than a case file. We listen closely to your story, help you understand your legal options, and answer your questions in plain language. The trust our clients place in us means everything. We take it to heart and we work hard to honor it.
A long history of results in NYC construction accident cases
We’ve recovered nearly $1 billion for clients throughout New York City, including a $19 million settlement for a worker struck by a falling beam and a $15 million jury verdict for a worker injured in a ladder fall. View more results here.
Award-winning attorneys known across New York
Our attorneys consistently receive local and national recognition. Visit our awards page to learn more about our honors, rankings, and industry recognition.
No fees unless we win
We work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing up front or out of pocket. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
Built for complex elevator accident cases
We routinely handle construction elevator accident cases and have a deep understanding of how New York labor laws protect workers using hoists, scaffolds, and lifts on construction sites.
HOW IT WORKS
FREE CASE REVIEW
Our NYC construction accident attorneys discuss options for your immediate financial needs, assess if your case is worth pursuing, and estimate the timeline for full compensation.
AN IRONCLAD CASE
As your counsel, we thoroughly analyze all evidence and expert testimonies to build an ironclad case proving liability and the extent of your injuries.
BATTLE THE BULLIES
As your trusted advocate, we pursue maximum compensation under the law, standing firm against intimidation and unfair settlement offers.
What Causes Elevator Accidents on NYC Construction Sites?
High-rise buildings and active construction projects dominate New York City’s skyline. Elevators and hoists are critical for transporting workers and materials, but these systems become dangerous when safety protocols are ignored. Many elevator accidents occur because someone—often a property owner, subcontractor, or maintenance company—failed to follow the rules.
Construction elevator accidents often involve:
- Caught-in or crushed-between incidents during elevator movement
- Falling objects or debris striking workers near the shaft
- Electrical malfunctions resulting in shock or electrocution
- Sudden drops or uncontrolled descents caused by system failure
- Overloaded lifts exceeding safe operating limits
- Improper installation or failure of safety mechanisms
Every detail matters in an elevator accident case. Our attorneys investigate the accident scene, equipment records, maintenance history, and safety procedures to determine what went wrong and who’s at fault.
Who’s Legally Responsible for an Elevator Accident on a Construction Site?
When you’re injured at work, it’s not always clear who’s responsible. You might assume workers’ compensation is your only option. In many cases, that’s not true. Depending on how your accident occurred, you may have the right to file a personal injury claim against a third party whose actions contributed to the incident.
We investigate every elevator accident case to uncover liability, which may include:
- Building owners who failed to maintain safe premises or violated inspection rules
- General contractors who ignored safety hazards or violated New York Labor Law
- Elevator maintenance companies that installed defective parts or skipped critical repairs
- Product manufacturers of unsafe elevator components or hoists
Under New York Labor Law § 240, contractors and property owners may be strictly liable for injuries caused by falling objects or falls from heights, including elevator shaft accidents and scaffold failures. These legal protections apply broadly across NYC construction zones and are especially important in elevator accident cases.
What Types of Compensation Are Available After a Construction Elevator Accident?
If your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to pursue a personal injury claim beyond workers’ compensation. Personal injury lawsuits offer broader compensation for long-term losses that aren’t covered by workers’ comp.
Depending on the facts of your case, you may be eligible to seek compensation for:
- Emergency medical bills and long-term rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Assistive devices, home modifications, and long-term care
- Wrongful death damages for family members of deceased workers
Workers who suffer serious injuries from elevator malfunctions often need extensive medical treatment and long recovery periods. If you are left with permanent impairments or disability, your claim must reflect the full impact on your future.
What to Do After an Elevator Accident on a Construction Site
Once you’ve received medical care, there are important steps you can take to protect both your health and your legal rights. Each step strengthens your potential claim and helps ensure no detail is overlooked.
- Hire an NYC elevator accident lawyer
An attorney can investigate quickly, secure evidence, and handle all legal communications on your behalf. - Keep all medical appointments
Gaps in treatment give insurers an excuse to argue your injuries aren’t serious. - Track your recovery in detail
A simple journal or video log showing pain levels and daily struggles can support your claim for damages. - Save evidence from the accident
Photos, work gear, and witness names help document unsafe site conditions. - Avoid direct contact with insurers
Insurance adjusters look for statements that reduce payouts—let your lawyer handle them.
These steps can help strengthen your personal injury claim and increase your chance of recovering compensation for your injuries, pain, and lost income.
How New York Labor Law Protects Construction Workers in Elevator Accidents
New York has some of the strongest worker protection laws in the country, especially when it comes to construction. The New York Labor Law provides critical legal rights for injured workers—especially those hurt by elevation-related hazards.
If you were injured in an elevator shaft fall, hoist accident, or by a falling object while working on a construction site, the following statutes may apply:
- (Scaffold Law): Holds building owners and contractors strictly liable for gravity-related injuries, such as elevator falls or collapsing lifts.
- Labor Law § 241(6): Requires contractors and owners to maintain a safe construction site according to specific industrial safety rules.
- Labor Law § 200: Ensures safe working conditions on construction sites, including proper elevator use and access protections.
These laws are designed to protect construction workers from the kinds of dangers that many elevator accidents involve. Because liability under these laws can be strict, workers do not need to prove negligence in some cases—only that safety rules were violated and an injury occurred.
Common Injuries from NYC Construction Elevator Accidents
Elevator accidents on construction sites often end in disaster. These incidents frequently involve impacts from height, heavy equipment, or crushing force, all of which can lead to lasting damage.
Common injuries associated with construction elevator accidents include:
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Neck and back trauma, including herniated discs
- Accidental amputations or crushed limbs
- Electrocution-related burns and nerve damage
- Bone fractures requiring surgical repair
- Internal injuries or organ damage from blunt force trauma
Elevator accidents can occur on any of New York City’s large-scale construction projects in Hudson Yards, Lower Manhattan, Downtown Brooklyn, and major redevelopment zones near LaGuardia Airport or Staten Island’s North Shore. We’ve seen firsthand how shortcuts on these high-pressure construction sites can lead to catastrophic injury.
If your injuries prevent you from returning to work, we also help calculate your future earning capacity, factoring in how your limitations affect long-term employment.
Are Escalator Accidents Treated the Same as Elevator Accidents?
While escalator accidents are less common on active construction sites, they can still occur in buildings under renovation, especially in retail or commercial settings. Like elevators, escalators require regular inspections and safe installation. Workers injured in escalator accidents may still qualify for compensation under labor laws or personal injury statutes, depending on the facts.
The Perecman Firm also represents clients in escalator accident cases involving:
- Abrupt stops or jerking movements
- Defective parts or poor installation
- Maintenance lapses by property management companies
- Falls or crush injuries during escalator use on job sites
These incidents may involve property owners, maintenance contractors, or manufacturers, just as in elevator accident injury cases.
Who Is Liable When an Elevator Malfunctions During Construction?
Responsibility for a construction elevator accident doesn’t always fall on a single party. Multiple companies may be involved in the design, maintenance, and oversight of elevator use on a job site.
Elevator accident lawyers typically investigate roles played by:
- Property owners who fail to inspect or maintain site elevators
- General contractors who overlook safety hazards
- Elevator installation or maintenance companies that cut corners
- Product manufacturers who distribute defective components
- Construction site supervisors who violate OSHA regulations
When an elevator malfunctioned, it’s critical to identify exactly who failed to meet their duties. We coordinate with engineers and safety experts to determine root causes and pursue every liable party.
Our NYC Construction Elevator Accident Lawyers Build Ironclad Cases
At The Perecman Firm, our legal team builds each case with meticulous attention to facts and detail, drawing on our decades of experience in construction accident cases throughout New York City.
We follow a proven strategy that includes:
- Interviewing witnesses and preserving site photos
- Subpoenaing elevator maintenance records and inspection logs
- Consulting engineers to assess mechanical failure or design flaws
- Reviewing job site safety practices and potential violations
- Calculating long-term damages, including emotional distress and lost income
Every case we take is an opportunity to improve safety for workers across the five boroughs—and to help our clients rebuild after suffering serious injuries from someone else’s negligence.
NYC Construction Elevator Accident Lawyer FAQs
What is the deadline to file an elevator accident lawsuit in New York?
In most construction accident cases, you have three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under New York law. However, shorter deadlines may apply if a city or public agency is involved. Always consult a lawyer as soon as possible to avoid missing critical deadlines.
What if I’m partly to blame for the accident?
New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover damages even if you’re partially at fault. Your compensation may be reduced based on your level of responsibility, but it doesn’t prevent you from filing a claim. This rule can work in your favor, or it can work against you. Our experienced NYC construction accident lawyers gather strong evidence, counter blame-shifting tactics, and fight for the compensation you need.
What happens if I didn’t report the elevator accident right away?
Reporting the accident promptly strengthens your case, but late reporting doesn’t automatically disqualify you from compensation. If you delay, document your injuries carefully and speak to a lawyer immediately to assess your legal options.
Can I sue the elevator maintenance company directly?
Yes, if their negligence contributed to the accident, such as skipping inspections or using faulty parts, you may be able to bring a third-party claim against them. These types of cases often involve maintenance logs and expert mechanical evaluations.
How much does it cost to hire a construction elevator accident lawyer?
At The Perecman Firm, we work on a contingency fee basis because we believe everyone should have access to top-performing legal representation regardless of their financial situation. You never pay anything out of pocket, and we only collect a fee if we win your case. Your first consultation is free.
Take Control of Your Future. Call for a Free Consultation
A construction elevator failure is a breakdown in safety that puts workers' lives at risk. For survivors, these accidents often mean months or years of serious injuries. You deserve a legal team that understands the urgency of your case and has the experience to fight back effectively.
At The Perecman Firm, we take pride in helping injured construction workers across NYC stand up to powerful companies, recover fair compensation, and restore stability in their lives. Whether you live in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, or Staten Island, our attorneys are here to support you at every stage of your case.
Ready to get started?
Call us at 212-977-7033 or contact us online for a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in NYC. We’re available 24/7 and serve all five boroughs.