Roofing work helps keep New York City’s skyline growing, but it is also among the most dangerous jobs in the construction industry. Workers balance on ladders, scaffolds, and pitched roofs high above crowded streets. One slip, an unsecured tool, or a missing safety device can lead to devastating injuries or death.
If you or a loved one were hurt while performing roofing work, you may now be dealing with steep medical expenses, time away from work, and uncertainty about the future. The team of NYC roofing accident lawyers at The Perecman Firm represents injured construction workers across the five boroughs. We pursue compensation not just through workers’ compensation benefits, but personal injury lawsuits when a third party causes or contributes to your accident.
Workers’ comp may be your go-to for financial relief after a serious workplace accident, but it may not be your only one. Call us today at (212) 977-7033 so we can explore what other sources of compensation may be available to you.
Key Takeaways from NYC Roofing Accident Lawyer
- Roofing accidents in NYC often involve preventable hazards, including falls, falling objects, and electrical exposures.
- Workers may be entitled to compensation beyond workers’ compensation, including third-party personal injury lawsuits.
- New York Labor Laws hold contractors, site owners, and others accountable when they fail to provide proper safety measures.
- Serious roofing accidents frequently cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and permanent disabilities.
- Acting quickly helps protect your rights and preserve crucial evidence for your claim.
- The Perecman Firm has decades of experience representing injured construction workers and a record of high-value settlements and verdicts.
Why Injured Roofers Choose The Perecman Firm
After a serious roofing accident, the lawyer you hire will make a direct difference in your case outcome. Our team has been representing New York construction workers for more than 40 years, with a proven history of results in complex accident cases.
Record of results across NYC construction cases
Our firm has secured multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for roofers and other construction workers injured by unsafe conditions on job sites. Results include an $11.9 million verdict for a worker who fell from a suspended scaffold, and a $19 million settlement for a laborer struck by a falling steel beam.
Deep experience with New York Labor Laws
We have helped shape how courts apply NY Labor Law § 200, § 240(1), and § 241(6). These laws create powerful avenues for injured roofers to hold site owners and contractors liable when safety standards are ignored.
Client-focused representation
We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. We listen to your story, investigate your job site, and develop strategies built around your unique injuries and long-term needs.
No legal fees unless we win
We handle roofing accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means no upfront or out-of-pocket costs. You pay only for our services if we recover compensation for you.
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.
How Common Are Roofing Accidents in New York City?
Roofing consistently ranks among the most dangerous jobs in the U.S. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, roofing workers experience one of the highest rates of fatal workplace incidents nationwide. In New York City, construction workers make up only 5% of the workforce, yet account for more than a quarter of work-related fatalities.
With hundreds of active construction projects across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, roofing accidents remain a frequent cause of serious injuries and wrongful deaths. The NYC Department of Buildings regularly reports incidents involving roof collapses, scaffold failures, and falls from unprotected heights.
Common Causes of Roofing Accidents in NYC
New York City’s dense, vertical environment creates unique roofing work hazards. High-rise buildings, limited staging areas, and constant foot traffic below increase the risk of severe injuries when safety rules are ignored.
Some of the most common causes of roofing accidents include:
- Falls from unprotected roof edges, ladders, or scaffolds
- Lack of guardrails, harnesses, or other fall-prevention devices
- Improperly secured materials or tools falling from heights
- Electrical shocks from overhead power lines or exposed wiring
- Defective equipment, including ladders and safety harnesses
- Inclement weather conditions such as high winds, ice, or rain
- Inadequate training or supervision on job sites
These accidents are often preventable when contractors and property owners follow safety measures required under New York Labor Law and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) construction regulations.
Types of Roofing Accidents That Lead to Serious Injuries
While every roofing site is different, certain types of accidents repeatedly show up in NYC construction accident cases. Each carries the risk of long-term or permanent harm.
- Falls from heights remain the leading cause of fatal roofing accidents, often resulting in spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or death.
- Slip-and-fall accidents on wet or unstable surfaces cause broken bones and joint injuries.
- Falling objects such as tools or roofing materials strike workers on the head, causing concussions or penetrating injuries.
- Roof collapses may trap workers beneath debris and lead to crush injuries.
- Electrical hazards from power lines or exposed circuits cause burns or electrocution.
- Caught-between accidents happen when workers are pinned between heavy materials or equipment.
The consequences are often catastrophic, leaving injured construction workers unable to return to the trade or provide for their families without legal action.
OSHA Roofing Safety Requirements in New York City
OSHA requires employers to implement fall-prevention programs and provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to construction workers. These requirements apply directly to roofing work across NYC.
Key OSHA rules that protect roofers include:
- Fall protection must be provided for work at heights of six feet or more
- Guardrails, nets, or personal fall arrest systems must be used on unprotected edges
- Ladders and scaffolds must meet strict construction and placement standards
- Employers must provide task-specific training for roofing hazards
- Sites must be regularly inspected to identify and correct dangers
Failure to follow these standards not only increases risks but may also support a negligence or Labor Law claim against responsible parties.
Seeking Compensation After a Roofing Accident in NYC
If you suffered injuries in a roofing accident, you may have several legal options for pursuing financial recovery. Workers’ compensation is often the first step, but it may not cover everything you’ve lost.
You may be able to seek:
- Workers’ compensation benefits to cover medical expenses and partial lost wages
- Personal injury lawsuits against third parties, such as subcontractors, property owners, or equipment manufacturers
- Labor Law claims under NY Labor Law § 240(1), § 241(6), or § 200 when safety protections are violated
- Wrongful death lawsuits, if a roofing accident resulted in a worker’s death, allowing surviving family members to pursue compensation for their loss
A roofing accident lawyer in New York City can investigate your claim, identify all responsible parties, and pursue every available source of compensation.
Deadlines for NYC Roofing Accident Claims
Every construction accident case in New York is subject to strict deadlines. Missing these deadlines can bar you from recovering compensation. Taking quick action is essential to protecting your right to compensation.
- Personal injury lawsuits generally must be filed within three years of the roofing accident (N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214).
- Workers’ compensation claims must be reported to your employer within 30 days and formally filed within two years.
- Wrongful death lawsuits generally must be filed within two years of the worker’s death (EPTL § 5-4.1).
- Claims against a municipal entity, such as the NYC Department of Buildings, often require a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the incident.
Because roofing accident claims often involve multiple parties, including contractors, site owners, and equipment manufacturers, contact a lawyer as soon as possible so they can preserve evidence and file claims and notices before the relevant deadlines expire.
The Long-Term Impact of Roofing Injuries
Roofing accidents happen in a moment but often leave workers with injuries that alter every part of their lives. Even with medical treatment, many workers struggle with long-term or permanent disabilities.
Common long-term impacts include:
- Spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis or reduced mobility
- Traumatic brain injuries that impair memory, focus, and balance
- Chronic pain from fractures, joint injuries, or nerve damage
- Vision or hearing loss after head trauma or electrical accidents
- Permanent disability that prevents returning to roofing or construction work
- Psychological trauma, including depression or PTSD from the accident
For many injured roofers, these challenges lead to lost careers, financial instability, and strain on their families. Pursuing legal claims helps secure financial compensation to offset these long-term burdens.
What Compensation Is Available After a Roofing Accident in NYC?
Recovering from a roofing accident in New York City often means more than paying today’s medical bills. Many injured construction workers lose months or even years of wages and must deal with permanent limits on their ability to work in the industry.
If there is evidence of third-party liability in your roofing accident case, filing a legal claim helps you seek financial compensation that accounts for both immediate and long-term losses.
Types of compensation available in roofing accident cases include:
- Medical expenses for emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, medications, and ongoing treatment
- Lost wages during your recovery period, plus reduced earning capacity if you can’t return to roofing or construction work
- Pain and suffering for the physical pain and emotional toll of the accident
- Disability or disfigurement damages if the accident leaves you with lasting limitations or visible injuries
- Future costs of care, including assistive devices, therapy, or long-term support needs
- Wrongful death damages (for families) covering funeral expenses, lost income, and loss of financial support when a roofing accident is fatal
The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries and whether third-party liability exists under New York Labor Law. While workers’ compensation benefits cover only part of your losses, a personal injury lawsuit may provide much broader recovery.
Our legal team builds strong damages models with the help of medical specialists, vocational experts, and financial analysts. This preparation gives us leverage in negotiations and at trial, helping our clients pursue fair compensation for the full impact of their injuries.
What to Do After a Roofing Accident in New York City
If you’ve already received medical care for your injuries, there are important steps you can take to protect your legal rights. Acting quickly not only strengthens your case but also helps ensure that crucial evidence isn’t lost.
Here are steps to take after a roofing accident:
- Hire a lawyer with experience in NYC roofing accident cases. This ensures someone is immediately investigating your job site and protecting your rights.
- Keep all medical appointments and follow treatment plans. Consistent records strengthen your case and show the full extent of your injuries.
- Document everything by writing or recording how the injury affects your daily life, from physical pain to emotional stress.
- Request official reports from your employer, site supervisor, or the NYC Department of Buildings if inspectors responded to the incident.
- Save evidence and photographs of the site, your injuries, and any equipment or safety devices involved in the accident.
Following these steps gives your legal team a strong foundation to build your case and pursue fair compensation.
Who May Be Liable in a Roofing Accident Claim?
Determining liability in a roofing accident often requires a thorough investigation. In New York, responsibility may extend beyond your direct employer.
Parties that may be liable include:
- Construction site owners who failed to maintain safe conditions under Labor Law § 200
- General contractors responsible for providing proper fall protection and safety equipment
- Subcontractors whose negligence created hazards that led to your accident
- Equipment or safety gear manufacturers if ladders, scaffolds, or harnesses were defective
- Property owners who ignored dangerous conditions on their buildings
By identifying every responsible party, your legal team can expand the available sources of compensation, giving you a stronger chance of recovering enough to cover medical bills, lost wages, and future needs.
FAQ About NYC Roofing Accident Claims and Lawsuits
Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault?
Yes. New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning even if you were partially responsible, you may still recover damages. However, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
What if the roofing accident was fatal?
New York law allows certain surviving family members to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This claim can cover funeral expenses, lost income, and the emotional toll of losing a loved one in a preventable roofing accident.
Do non-union roofers have the same rights as union workers?
Yes. Labor Law protections apply to all construction workers in New York City, whether unionized, non-union, or employed through a staffing agency.
How long does a roofing accident case take in NYC?
The time it takes to resolve a roofing accident case depends on many factors, but what matters most is having a lawyer with the resources and determination to push your case forward. When your legal team prepares every claim as if it will go to trial, insurance companies and contractors know they can’t stall or lowball. This often leads to quicker, fairer resolutions that cover the true extent of your losses.
Can undocumented workers seek compensation after a roofing accident in New York City?
Yes. Your immigration status does not prevent you from filing a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit in New York. State labor laws apply to all construction workers, including those who are undocumented.
Roofing companies, contractors, and property owners are legally responsible for providing safe job sites, no matter what. An experienced construction accident attorney can help protect your rights and pursue compensation without your status being used against you.
Next Steps: Talk to an NYC Roofing Accident Lawyer
Roofing accidents demand serious legal representation. You’re facing medical bills, time away from work, and uncertainty about your future. You shouldn’t have to fight contractors, property owners, and insurance companies on your own.
At The Perecman Firm, our legal team has decades of experience representing injured construction workers in New York City. From high-rise roofing projects in Manhattan to residential work in Queens, we know the unique dangers roofers face, and we know how to fight for the compensation you need under New York Labor Laws.
Call (212) 977-7033 today or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with a dedicated NYC personal injury attorney. We’re ready to investigate your accident, build your case, and help you move forward with strength and security.