If you suffered a construction accident in Westchester County, you may have more legal options than you realize. Many workers assume they can only file for workers’ compensation. However, that is often just the starting point. In addition, New York Labor Law sections 200, 240, and 241 create direct liability for property owners and general contractors. As a result, these protections go well beyond what workers’ comp provides. Therefore, understanding your full range of options matters.
New York Labor Law §240: The Scaffold Law
Labor Law §240 creates absolute liability for property owners and general contractors in height-related accidents. For example, this covers falls from scaffolding, ladders, roofs, and elevated platforms. It also applies to injuries caused by falling objects at construction sites. Furthermore, “absolute liability” means the owner and general contractor bear responsibility regardless of the worker’s own negligence. As a result, this law stands as one of the most powerful protections in New York employment law. Therefore, construction injury cases under §240 often result in substantial recoveries.
Labor Law §241(6): Safety Regulation Violations
Labor Law §241(6) creates liability when a construction accident results from violation of specific OSHA and Industrial Code regulations. For instance, these violations include inadequate lighting, improper safety equipment, and failure to guard floor openings. In addition, defective tools can trigger this section. However, your attorney must identify the specific regulation that the site violated and connect it to your injury. Therefore, legal knowledge plays a critical role in building a strong §241(6) claim.
Workers’ Comp vs. Third-Party Claims
Workers’ compensation covers medical bills and a portion of lost wages. However, it does not pay for pain and suffering or full lost earning capacity. In contrast, a third-party personal injury claim targets the property owner, general contractor, or subcontractor responsible for your injury. As a result, these cases often prove far more valuable than the comp claim alone. This is especially true for serious injuries with permanent effects. Furthermore, you can pursue both claims at the same time.
Common Construction Accident Injuries in Westchester County
Construction accidents in Westchester County take many forms. For example, falls from scaffolding and ladders remain among the most common causes. In addition, falling tools or materials frequently strike workers below. Similarly, trench collapses, electrical injuries, and forklift accidents cause severe harm. Furthermore, defective safety equipment leads to preventable injuries on active job sites. Westchester County has significant ongoing construction activity across commercial, residential, and infrastructure projects. As a result, these accidents happen regularly.
Talk to a Construction Accident Lawyer in White Plains
At GMR Law Office, we handle construction accident claims throughout White Plains and Westchester County. Specifically, we pursue Labor Law §240 and §241 cases against property owners and general contractors. Furthermore, we work on contingency, so you pay no fee unless we recover compensation. Call (914) 342-7004 for a free consultation. We speak English and Spanish.
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