Working on a ladder is part of the job for many workers in Queens. From residential roofers in Bayside to union electricians in Long Island City, people use ladders to do essential work, often under pressure and in unsafe conditions.
When a ladder gives out, is set up improperly, or lacks safety features, the fall can leave you with injuries that change your life. If you were hurt in this way, a Queens ladder accident lawyer can help you figure out who is responsible and how to get the money you need to recover.
Why Choose The Perecman Firm, PLLC as Your Queens Ladder Accident Lawyer?
When you’re injured in a fall from a ladder, you don't need guesswork; you need a legal team that’s seen at every angle of these cases before. The Perecman Firm, PLLC, brings decades of experience fighting for construction workers, laborers, and tradespeople injured while working above ground.
They understand the unique laws in New York that protect workers from unsafe equipment and conditions.
Here’s what sets them apart:
- Over 40 years of handling complex construction and ladder-related injury cases
- Deep experience with New York Labor Law Sections 240(1) and 241(6)
- A track record of seven-figure verdicts and settlements
- Full investigations that uncover all liable parties, not just employers
- Lawyers who treat you with personal attention and real respect
- Bilingual staff and offices in Queens, NYC, and Long Island for local support
What Causes Ladder Accidents on Queens Job Sites?
Ladder falls often seem like simple accidents, but they usually have a cause that could have been prevented. Queens has thousands of active construction sites at any time, and a ladder injury is rarely just “bad luck.”
Unsafe setup or placement
Ladders must be placed on level ground, anchored correctly, and set at a safe angle. On busy job sites, workers are sometimes rushed to complete tasks and skip these steps. Sloped sidewalks, loose soil, or cluttered floors all make a ladder more likely to tip or slide.
Defective or damaged ladders
Old ladders with worn-out rungs, bent frames, or broken locks can give out mid-use. Sometimes, contractors continue to use unsafe equipment to save money. If the ladder was poorly manufactured or lacked proper warnings, the company that made it may also be responsible.
Lack of safety harnesses or fall protection
Under New York labor laws, contractors are required to provide fall protection for workers using ladders. That can include harnesses, safety lines, guardrails, or catch platforms. If these were not provided—or were modified—the contractor or site owner could be liable.
Improper ladder for the job
Using an A-frame ladder instead of an extension ladder or a short ladder when a longer one is needed forces workers to stretch, lean, or stand on the top rung, increasing the chance of a fall. Employers must provide equipment that fits the task.
Fatigue and pressure
Construction and maintenance crews in Queens often work long shifts or under unrealistic deadlines. Fatigue can lead to poor balance, missed steps, or skipped safety checks. If management failed to provide proper breaks or rushed the work, they may be partly responsible.
What Types of Injuries Can Result from a Ladder Fall?
A fall from even six feet can cause severe trauma. Injuries from ladder accidents are among the most serious seen on New York construction sites.
Spinal cord injuries
A sudden fall onto a hard surface can crush vertebrae or damage the spinal cord. These injuries often cause partial or total paralysis, chronic pain, or limited mobility. Many victims require lifelong care.
Brain trauma
If you fall and strike your head, the injury can be devastating. Even with a helmet, workers may suffer concussions or more severe forms of traumatic brain injury. These can affect speech, memory, mood, and independence.
Broken bones
Arms, wrists, legs, and hips often break during a fall. In some cases, surgery and pins are required. Multiple fractures can limit mobility and cause lasting complications.
Internal injuries
Falling onto equipment or into debris can cause damage to internal organs. Some injuries may not show symptoms immediately and can become dangerous if untreated.
Death
Sadly, ladder falls are one of the top causes of fatal construction accidents in New York. When a loved one dies on the job, their family may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim.
What Can You Do in the Weeks After A Ladder Accident?
After the initial emergency has passed, there’s still a lot to think about. The weeks that follow your injury can shape your entire legal and financial future.
Keep a record of everything
Write down where the accident happened, who was there, and what conditions you noticed. If you can, take photos of the ladder and worksite. Document every medical appointment and save all bills, even if you think workers’ comp will pay for them.
Be careful what you sign
Some employers or site managers may ask you to sign statements or paperwork “just for the file.” Be cautious. These documents could be used against you. Don’t agree to any settlements or sign releases without having a lawyer look at them first.
Focus on recovery, not return-to-work pressure
If you’re being asked to return to light duty or take on tasks you’re not ready for, you don’t have to go it alone. A lawyer can step in to protect your job rights and ensure that returning to work doesn’t hurt your injury claim.
Contact a lawyer with construction injury experience
Waiting too long to get help can hurt your case. Evidence disappears quickly on job sites. Witnesses forget or move on. Reaching out to a Queens ladder accident lawyer within a few weeks helps preserve your claim and puts you in a stronger position to recover money.
What Compensation is Available in Ladder Accident Cases?
Falling from a ladder can change your ability to earn a living, care for your family, or live without assistance. New York law allows you to pursue compensation from the parties responsible, not just your employer.
Medical care and rehab
You can recover the full cost of your treatment, including surgeries, therapy, prescriptions, hospital stays, and mobility devices. Future care, such as in-home nursing or additional procedures, can also be included.
Lost wages and earning power
If you missed work or can’t go back to your old job, you may be entitled to recover those lost earnings. A legal claim can also cover your reduced earning capacity if you can only take lower-paying work.
Pain and suffering
The physical pain and emotional distress after a serious fall are often part of your damages. This includes daily discomfort, loss of independence, and mental health struggles caused by the injury.
Help at home
You may need home assistance if your injury makes it hard to care for yourself, clean your home, or cook meals. These services have value and can be added to your claim.
Wrongful death damages
If a family member passed away from a ladder-related injury, surviving relatives can pursue damages for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and emotional grief.
Queens Ladders, Queens Risks: Why It Matters Where You Fell
Queens is a borough constantly under construction. From high-rises in Long Island City to roof repairs in Kew Gardens, thousands of workers go up ladders daily. But not every job site follows the rules.
Queens has a mix of large union jobs and small, under-regulated projects. Injured workers face different challenges depending on where and how the fall occurred. Local contractors may cut corners. Some landlords hire unlicensed labor to save money.
Others use subcontractors with poor safety records. The borough's housing mix also affects risk. Many properties are older walk-ups or row homes with narrow alleys and uneven yards, where setting up a ladder safely is already tricky.
Having a legal team that knows Queens isn’t just a bonus essential. Your attorney should know how building codes, union rules, and Labor Law 240(1) apply to the unique conditions of the borough’s job sites.
Why It’s Hard to Deal with Insurance After A Ladder Accident
The odds are stacked against you
Insurance companies aren’t in business to help you recover; they’re in business to protect their own money. After a fall, they’ll investigate quickly, but their goal is to find reasons to pay less, not more.
They may argue that the accident was your fault. That you weren’t careful. That the ladder was fine. They may even suggest your injuries aren’t as bad as you say. If they offer money, it’s often not enough to cover even a year’s treatment.
Don’t expect a fair deal without legal help
Most people who accept an early settlement end up with far less than they actually need. Insurance adjusters use legal language and pressure tactics to push fast decisions. Without someone who knows how these cases work, you could lose the chance to file a proper claim.
What Happens If You Were Working Off The Books When You Fell?
Many ladder accident victims in Queens work for cash. They may not be on payroll, and they may not have a written contract. That doesn’t mean they lose the right to take legal action. In fact, New York law still protects workers who were hired informally—even if the employer doesn’t want to admit it.
Labor laws apply to undocumented and cash workers
New York Labor Law Sections 240(1) and 241(6) don’t require you to be on the books to be protected. If you were working at height on a ladder—on a construction site, renovation project, or building maintenance job—you may still be able to file a claim.
The law focuses on whether you were exposed to safety risks, not how you were paid.
Your employer might deny the relationship
In off-the-books arrangements, employers often refuse to accept responsibility. They may claim you weren’t working for them or that you were just a “helper.” This is where having the right legal team matters. A Queens ladder accident lawyer can investigate jobsite photos, text messages, payment records, or witness statements to prove you were working under their supervision.
You could still get compensated for serious injuries
Even without formal pay stubs, you may be eligible for compensation that covers your medical bills, lost income, and long-term care. The property owner or contractor may be liable if a lack of proper safety equipment, defective ladders, or a rushed jobsite causes your fall.
Don’t let fear stop you from calling
Some off-the-books workers stay quiet out of fear—especially if they are undocumented. But speaking with a lawyer doesn’t put your immigration status at risk. The focus is on your injury and the unsafe conditions that caused it. You don’t have to go it alone. Help is available, and you may be entitled to more than you think.
How The Perecman Firm, PLLC fights back
This law firm has handled some of the most serious ladder injury cases in Queens and across NYC. They know the legal protections that apply to you, especially if you're a construction worker. They build your case using photos, equipment records, safety reports, and expert testimony. Then, they negotiate from a position of strength. If the insurer won’t settle fairly, they take the case to court.
Final Step: Make the Climb Back Easier
Ladder accidents can leave you stuck in place, but help is closer than you think. Call The Perecman Firm, PLLC today at (212) 977-7033 to speak with a Queens personal injury lawyer who puts your future first.
Don’t let someone else’s shortcuts become your burden. Let this team help you move forward with confidence.