New York Construction Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a construction accident in White Plains or anywhere in Westchester County, you may have the right to recover compensation beyond workers’ compensation through a third-party claim. New York Labor Law § 240(1) (the Scaffold Law) and Labor Law § 241(6) impose strict safety requirements on contractors and property owners, making them liable for unsafe conditions on construction sites. Billy Cooper Law has represented injured workers for over 60 years, securing results including $2 million for a construction site fall and $9 million for catastrophic injuries. Led by trial attorney William H. Cooper (Super Lawyers 2024–2025), we fight for maximum recovery. Call (914) 809-9945 for a free consultation.

What Should You Do After a Construction Accident in White Plains?

The minutes and hours after a construction accident matter more than most people realize. What you do early on can shape both your medical recovery and your legal case.

First, get medical attention immediately. For serious injuries, Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla is the region’s only Level I Adult Trauma Center, treating 6,974 adult trauma patients in 2024. For less severe injuries, White Plains Hospital is often the first stop. If a child is injured, Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital—also Level I Pediatric Trauma—treated 2,527 pediatric trauma patients in 2024.

Second, report the incident to your supervisor or site manager. This creates an official record, which is critical for both workers’ compensation and any third-party claim.

Third, document everything you can. Photos of the scene, equipment, scaffolding, ladders, or safety failures can become decisive evidence later.

Fourth, avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies or site investigators before speaking with a lawyer. Their job is to limit liability. Yours is to protect your future.

Finally, contact a construction accident lawyer as soon as possible. Evidence disappears quickly on job sites, especially in active development areas like downtown White Plains or the Yonkers waterfront.

Why Choose Billy Cooper Law for Your Construction Accident Case?

Construction accident cases are not ordinary injury claims. They sit at the intersection of workers’ compensation, third-party liability, and highly technical safety regulations. You need a firm that understands all of it.

Billy Cooper Law brings more than six decades of experience representing injured workers across Westchester County and New York City. Founding partner Marvin A. Cooper helped draft New York’s No-Fault Insurance Law in 1973, shaping how injury claims are handled statewide. Today, William H. Cooper leads the firm with over $41 million in verdicts and settlements and recognition as a Super Lawyers honoree in 2024 and 2025. The firm also offers bilingual representation through attorney Anieska J. Garcia, ensuring Spanish-speaking clients receive full access to justice.

Results matter in these cases. The firm has secured $2 million for a construction accident involving a fall with multiple fractures, $9 million for catastrophic injuries involving amputation, $6 million in a police misconduct case involving triplegia, and $2.4 million in a wrongful death matter involving a commercial vehicle crash. These outcomes reflect the firm’s ability to handle serious, high-stakes litigation.

Just as important, every case is handled on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless a recovery is made.

What Types of Construction Accident Cases Does Billy Cooper Law Handle?

Construction sites across White Plains, from developments near the Metro-North station to projects along Westchester Avenue and the Galleria Mall corridor, present a wide range of hazards. The firm handles virtually every type of construction-related injury.

Falls from heights remain the most common and most devastating accidents. Whether from scaffolds, ladders, or roofs, these incidents often trigger liability under Labor Law § 240(1).

Scaffolding accidents frequently involve improper assembly, missing guardrails, or failure to secure planking.

Electrocution cases arise from exposed wiring, overhead power lines, or failure to de-energize systems before work begins.

Machinery and equipment failures can involve defective tools, missing safety guards, or improper training.

Struck-by accidents occur when materials fall from above or workers are hit by moving equipment.

Trench collapses are among the most dangerous incidents, often caused by lack of proper shoring or unstable soil conditions.

Exposure cases involve silica dust, asbestos, chemicals, and toxic fumes that lead to long-term illness.

Crane and forklift accidents often involve coordination failures, operator error, or mechanical defects.

Burns and explosions frequently stem from gas leaks, electrical failures, or improper handling of flammable materials.

No matter the mechanism, if safety rules were ignored or corners were cut, there is likely a path to compensation beyond workers’ compensation.

How Do New York Labor Laws Protect Construction Workers?

New York provides some of the strongest legal protections for construction workers in the country.

Labor Law § 240(1), commonly known as the Scaffold Law, imposes strict liability on contractors and property owners when workers are injured in elevation-related accidents. If proper safety devices like harnesses, guardrails, or scaffolding are missing or defective, liability is often automatic.

Labor Law § 241(6) requires compliance with specific safety rules outlined in the Industrial Code. Violations of these rules can form the basis of a lawsuit.

These laws are powerful because they shift the burden away from the worker. Unlike ordinary negligence cases, you do not need to prove carelessness in the same way. If the law was violated and it caused your injury, you may have a strong claim.

At the same time, workers’ compensation provides limited benefits regardless of fault. But it does not cover pain and suffering. That is why identifying third-party liability is critical.

Where Do Construction Accidents Happen Most Often in Westchester County?

Construction is booming across Westchester County, and with it comes increased risk.

In White Plains, major development zones near Main Street, Mamaroneck Avenue, and the Westchester County Center see constant activity. The Galleria Mall redevelopment corridor has also created dense, high-risk job sites.

Along I-287, also known as the Cross Westchester Expressway, ongoing infrastructure and maintenance work puts crews in close proximity to high-speed traffic.

The Bronx River Parkway presents unique hazards. Built in the 1920s, it features narrow lanes, sharp curves, and no shoulders. Construction crews working near or along it face elevated danger compared to modern highways.

Other high-risk corridors include the Sprain Brook Parkway, Taconic State Parkway, I-95, and I-87 (New York State Thruway), all of which involve frequent construction and repair work.

Understanding where and how these accidents happen helps build stronger cases and identify responsible parties.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Construction Accident?

Construction accident claims often involve multiple layers of recovery.

Workers’ compensation provides coverage for medical care and partial wage replacement, but it is limited.

A third-party lawsuit can recover significantly more, including full lost wages, future earning capacity, and pain and suffering.

Medical expenses may include emergency treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term care.

Lost income includes both past wages and reduced ability to work in the future.

Pain and suffering reflects the physical and emotional toll of the injury.

In wrongful death cases, families may recover damages under EPTL § 5-4.1 and § 5-4.3 for financial losses and the value of the decedent’s life.

New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule under CPLR § 1411. Even if you were partially at fault, your recovery is reduced but never eliminated.

How Does the Construction Injury Claims Process Work in New York?

The process typically begins with a consultation, where the facts of the accident are evaluated.

An investigation follows, including review of contracts, safety records, OSHA compliance, and witness statements.

A workers’ compensation claim is filed quickly, while a third-party claim is developed in parallel.

If settlement negotiations fail, a lawsuit is filed in Westchester County Supreme Court, located at 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in White Plains.

Most cases resolve through settlement, but strong trial preparation is what drives meaningful outcomes.

Timing matters. Personal injury claims must generally be filed within three years under CPLR § 214, while claims against municipalities require a Notice of Claim within 90 days under GML § 50-e.

Related Practice Areas

Billy Cooper Law represents injury victims across Westchester County in a wide range of practice areas. Learn more about how we can help:

• White Plains personal injury lawyer
• wrongful death claims from construction site fatalities
• premises liability claims for unsafe property conditions
• medical malpractice claims for treatment errors

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a construction accident lawsuit in White Plains?

You generally have three years from the date of the accident under CPLR § 214. If a government entity is involved, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days under GML § 50-e.

Can I sue if I’m already receiving workers’ compensation?

Yes. Workers’ compensation does not prevent you from bringing a third-party lawsuit against contractors, property owners, or other responsible parties.

What is Labor Law § 240(1)?

It is New York’s Scaffold Law, which holds owners and contractors strictly liable for elevation-related injuries caused by inadequate safety protections.

What is Labor Law § 241(6)?

This law requires compliance with specific Industrial Code safety rules. Violations can form the basis of a lawsuit.

What if I was partially at fault?

Under CPLR § 1411, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault but not eliminated.

Can undocumented workers file claims?

Yes. Immigration status does not affect your right to compensation under New York law.

What is my case worth?

It depends on the severity of your injuries, lost income, and long-term impact. The firm has recovered $2M in a construction accident case and $9M in a catastrophic injury case.

Where should I go after a serious construction injury?

Westchester Medical Center is the region’s Level I Trauma Center. White Plains Hospital is appropriate for less severe injuries.

Who can be held liable?

General contractors, subcontractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, and others may all be responsible depending on the facts.

Do I have to pay upfront legal fees?

No. Billy Cooper Law works on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless there is a recovery.

What if my injury developed over time?

Exposure-related injuries, such as those involving silica or asbestos, may still be actionable depending on when they were discovered.

How long does a construction accident case take?

Some cases resolve in months, but complex litigation can take one to three years depending on the circumstances.

Construction Accident Lawyers by Location

We represent injured construction workers throughout the greater Westchester and Bronx area. Find a construction accident lawyer near you:

• Yonkers Construction Accident Lawyer
• Bronx Construction Accident Lawyer

Speak With a White Plains Construction Accident Lawyer Today

Construction accidents change lives fast. The legal process doesn’t need to be another burden on top of everything else.

Billy Cooper Law represents injured workers across White Plains, Westchester County, and the surrounding region. We understand the law, the job sites, and the stakes.

Call (914) 809-9945 today for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.

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