If you suffered crush injuries in a work accident in New York City, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other losses. The attorneys at The Perecman Firm are ready to review your case, determine your options for financial recovery, and pursue maximum compensation for you.
We have been fighting for injured New Yorkers for more than 40 years and have recovered more than half a billion dollars for them in that time. Let us put our experience, tenacity, and dedication to work for you.
Contact us today to speak with a NYC construction accident-crushing injury lawyer. Consultations are free and we only charge a fee if we secure compensation first.
Key Takeaways for NYC Crush Injury at Work
- Crush injuries are among the most serious construction site injuries and often result from unsafe job site conditions.
- Workers’ compensation benefits may cover immediate medical treatment and partial wages but do not account for pain, suffering, or long-term disability.
- Negligent third parties, including contractors, property owners, and equipment manufacturers, may be held legally responsible if they contributed to your accident.
- New York Labor Laws 200, 240, and 241 provide important protections for injured workers on construction sites.
- Prompt medical attention and strong documentation are essential to protect your claim.
- The Perecman Firm helps injured workers in New York City fight for compensation when workplace accidents cause serious injuries.
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.
Why Choose The Perecman Firm for a NYC Crush Injury at Work?
When you’re coping with serious injuries, you need more than a lawyer. You need an experienced legal team that knows how to take on construction companies, property owners, and insurers in New York. The Perecman Firm has built its reputation by standing with workers who keep this city running.
Decades of proven results
With over 40 years of experience, our firm has recovered nearly a billion dollars for clients, including construction workers who suffered crush injuries, amputations, spinal cord damage, and other severe injuries. Our case results show how we’ve helped workers rebuild their futures after catastrophic accidents.
Client-centered representation
We know a work-related injury doesn’t just affect you. It affects your family, your livelihood, and your future. Our team prioritizes clear communication and personalized care so you feel supported at every step.
No fees unless we recover for you
We represent clients on a contingency fee basis. You owe nothing upfront and no hourly fees. We only get paid if we win your case.
Deep knowledge of New York labor laws
Our attorneys regularly use Labor Law 200, 240, and 241 to hold negligent third parties accountable for unsafe job sites. These laws are powerful tools that allow construction workers to pursue damages beyond workers’ compensation.
Recognized, award-winning attorneys
The Perecman Firm has been consistently recognized for trial excellence and client advocacy, earning awards that reflect both our courtroom results and our dedication to injured workers. View our awards to see the honors our attorneys have received.
How Do Crush Injuries Happen on NYC Construction Sites?
New York City’s construction boom brings constant activity—tower cranes in Hudson Yards, high-rise projects in Long Island City, and redevelopment in Downtown Brooklyn. But with this growth comes risk. Crush accidents are common on job sites where safety measures are ignored.
Some of the most frequent causes include:
- Heavy equipment rollovers, where machinery tips and traps workers.
- Falling loads from improperly secured materials like steel beams or concrete panels.
- Caught-in machinery accidents when clothing or limbs are pulled into moving parts.
- Trench cave-ins at excavation sites, burying workers under soil and debris.
- Vehicle accidents involving trucks or forklifts that pin workers against structures.
Each of these scenarios can cause serious injuries, including shattered bones, damaged blood vessels, nerve injuries, or even fatal crush injuries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identifies “caught-in or between” accidents as one of the Focus Four Hazards in construction because they are among the most deadly.
What Are the Long-Term Consequences of a Crush Injury?
Crush injuries often cause more than broken bones. The crushing force damages muscles, nerves, and blood flow, creating lasting complications. Workers who survive may deal with permanent disability or require lifelong medical treatment.
Common complications include:
- Compartment syndrome, where swelling cuts off circulation and damages nerves.
- Nerve damage leading to chronic pain, weakness, or loss of function.
- Crush syndrome, which can trigger kidney failure, respiratory problems, and dangerous heart arrhythmias.
- Severe infections or gangrene, sometimes requiring amputation.
- Massive tissue death from lack of oxygen and blood supply.
These conditions often require surgery, extensive rehabilitation, and long-term care. Many injured workers never fully regain their physical ability, which is why obtaining all the compensation you need matters so much.
Who Is Liable for a Crush Accident in New York City?
Workers’ compensation covers most workplace injuries, but it doesn’t always tell the whole story. Many cases of NYC crush injuries at work involve negligence by third parties. In those cases, you may pursue a personal injury claim in addition to a workers’ comp claim.
Potentially liable parties include:
- Property owners who fail to maintain safe job sites.
- Contractors and subcontractors who disregard safety protocols.
- Equipment manufacturers that produce faulty machines.
- Vendors and delivery companies that create unsafe site conditions.
New York Labor Law 241(6) allows injured workers to hold these parties accountable if they violated the Industrial Code. Labor Law 240 applies to gravity-related accidents such as falling objects, while Labor Law 200 addresses general site safety obligations. Together, these laws give construction workers in New York powerful legal protections.
What Compensation Is Available After a NYC Crush Injury at Work?
The impact of a crush accident extends far beyond the initial injury. Workers often require emergency surgery, long hospital stays, and ongoing rehabilitation. Many face months or years without a steady income. The compensation you may recover depends on whether your case is handled solely through workers’ compensation benefits or also includes a third-party personal injury lawsuit.
Workers’ compensation benefits
Workers’ compensation is the primary source of recovery for most workplace injuries in New York. It provides no-fault coverage, meaning you don’t need to prove negligence to receive benefits. However, the scope of compensation is limited.
Available benefits may include:
- Medical care: Covers treatment directly related to the injury, including emergency care, surgery, hospital stays, prescriptions, rehabilitation, and prosthetics.
- Partial wage replacement: Pays a percentage of lost income during your recovery, though it rarely equals your full salary.
- Permanent disability benefits: Provide scheduled awards or ongoing payments if the injury causes lasting impairment, such as nerve damage, loss of limb function, or reduced mobility.
While workers’ comp is essential, it does not cover pain, emotional distress, or the full cost of lost income. That’s why exploring additional legal options is often critical.
Damages in a third-party personal injury lawsuit
When a negligent third party, such as a contractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer, contributes to a crush injury, you may have grounds for a lawsuit in addition to a workers’ comp claim. These cases allow for broader recovery than workers’ comp alone.
Compensable damages in a lawsuit may include:
- Full medical expenses: Payment for past and future medical care, including hospitalizations, surgeries, rehabilitation, physical therapy, assistive devices, and home health services.
- Complete lost wages and future income: Recovery of all income lost during your recovery, plus damages for reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your trade.
- Physical and emotional pain: Compensation for the suffering caused by lasting pain, nerve damage, limited mobility, and the psychological impact of the injury.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Damages for being unable to engage in activities, hobbies, and family responsibilities that once defined your daily life.
- Household and caregiving services: Costs for help with childcare, transportation, or tasks you previously performed for yourself or your family.
- Wrongful death damages: For fatal crush injuries, compensation may include funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the emotional suffering of surviving relatives.
By combining workers’ compensation with a third-party lawsuit, injured construction workers and their families may pursue a more complete recovery. This dual approach is often the only way to address the full scope of serious injuries and long-term financial strain caused by a NYC crush injury at work.
What Should You Do After a Crush Injury at Work?
After receiving immediate medical attention, protecting your health and your legal claim must remain a top priority. Even if you’ve already seen a doctor, there are steps you should take to preserve evidence and strengthen your case.
- Hire a lawyer: An attorney can investigate the accident, identify negligent third parties, and secure evidence before it’s lost.
- Keep all medical appointments: Consistent treatment creates a clear record of your injuries and recovery, which is essential for workers’ compensation claims and lawsuits.
- Journal your recovery: Record pain levels, mobility struggles, and emotional challenges to document how the injury affects your daily life.
- Save physical evidence: Preserve damaged clothing, work boots, or equipment from the accident, as these items may support your claim.
- Limit social media use: Avoid posting about the accident or your condition, since defense attorneys may use your statements against you.
These steps support your medical recovery and also improve your chances of recovering compensation from negligent third parties.
How Long Do You Have to File a Crush Injury Claim in New York?
The statute of limitations sets strict deadlines for filing claims. In New York, the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is three years from the date of the accident, under CPLR § 214. If the case involves wrongful death, the deadline is generally two years.
Claims against a government entity, such as the City of New York or the MTA, require filing a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident.
Because different rules apply to workers’ compensation claims and third-party lawsuits, it’s critical to act quickly. Missing these deadlines can prevent you from recovering damages entirely.
NYC Crush Injury at Work: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a lawsuit if my employer provided workers’ comp?
Yes. Workers’ compensation prevents lawsuits against employers in most cases, but you may sue negligent third parties such as contractors, property owners, or equipment manufacturers.
What if I developed crush syndrome after the accident?
Crush syndrome is a dangerous complication involving kidney failure, shock, or cardiac problems. You may pursue damages for ongoing medical treatment and permanent disability if negligent conditions contributed to your injuries.
Do crush injuries always result in permanent disability?
Not always. Some workers recover fully, but many are left with nerve damage, compartment syndrome, or amputations that cause permanent disability. Compensation should reflect these long-term effects.
Can family members recover damages after fatal crush injuries?
Yes. Families may pursue a wrongful death claim if a loved one suffered fatal injuries due to unsafe workplace conditions. These claims may include lost financial support, funeral expenses, and emotional suffering.
How much does it cost to hire The Perecman Firm?
There are no upfront fees. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only collect a fee if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf. Our pay comes as a percentage of the recovery we obtain for you, not out of your pocket.
You Deserve Strong Advocacy After a NYC Crush Injury at Work
Every year, construction workers in New York City suffer catastrophic crush injuries from unsafe equipment, falling loads, or collapsing structures. These are not minor accidents—they are life-altering events that demand accountability.
The Perecman Firm has spent over four decades representing injured workers in NYC, securing multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements, including:
- $15.2 million jury verdict for a worker who fell from a ladder
- $19 million for a worker struck by a falling steel beam
- $29 million settlement for the family of a construction worker who fell 44 stories
Our firm combines legal skill with compassion. We investigate aggressively, prove liability, and fight for fair compensation so you can focus on recovery.
Start Your Path Toward Compensation Today
If you or a loved one has suffered a crush injury at work in New York City, now is the time to act. Medical bills grow quickly, lost wages threaten your financial security, and evidence disappears with time. The sooner you take action, the stronger your case will be.
Schedule a free consultation with The Perecman Firm today. Call us at (212) 977-7033 or contact us online. We proudly represent workers across all five boroughs—Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
Don’t wait. Let our experienced NYC personal injury lawyers team help you fight for the compensation you need to rebuild your life.