New York Construction Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a construction accident in White Plains or anywhere in Westchester County, your case may be worth far more than workers’ compensation alone.

New York law gives construction workers some of the strongest protections in the country. Under Labor Law § 240(1), contractors and property owners can be held strictly liable for gravity-related injuries like falls from scaffolds, ladders, or roofs. Labor Law § 241(6) imposes liability for violations of specific safety regulations, while Labor Law § 200 applies to unsafe job site conditions and general negligence.

Workers’ compensation provides limited benefits regardless of fault, but it does not cover pain and suffering. That is why identifying a third-party claim is critical in construction accident cases.

Billy Cooper Law has represented injured workers for over 60 years, securing results including $2 million for a construction fall and $9 million for catastrophic injuries. Led by trial attorney William H. Cooper (Super Lawyers 2024–2025), the firm builds cases designed for maximum recovery—not minimum payouts.

Under CPLR § 214, most construction accident claims must be filed within three years, while claims involving municipalities may require a Notice of Claim within 90 days under GML § 50-e. Timing matters. Evidence disappears quickly on active job sites.

Call (914) 730-5789 for a free consultation.

You May Have a Construction Accident Case If

Not every workplace injury leads to a lawsuit. But construction accidents often involve violations of New York’s strict safety laws. You may have a claim beyond workers’ compensation if any of the following apply:

• You fell from a scaffold, ladder, roof, or other elevated surface
• A falling object struck you while working on a construction site
• Defective machinery or equipment caused your injury
• You were injured in a trench collapse or excavation accident
• Proper safety equipment—such as harnesses, guardrails, or helmets—was not provided
• You were electrocuted due to exposed wiring or unsafe site conditions
• You were injured as a pedestrian or bystander near a construction project
• A loved one was killed in a construction accident

These cases often turn on whether safety rules were followed—or ignored. If corners were cut, there is likely a path to significant compensation.

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.

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.

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.

The firm has secured $2 million for a construction accident involving a fall from height that resulted in multiple fractures, where required safety protections were not properly provided. It has also recovered $9 million for catastrophic injuries involving amputation, $6 million in a triplegia case, and $2.4 million in a wrongful death matter.

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 and Westchester County present a wide range of hazards.

Falls from heights remain the most common and most devastating accidents. Scaffolding accidents often involve improper assembly or missing guardrails. Electrocution cases arise from exposed wiring or unsafe systems. Machinery failures can involve defective equipment or missing safeguards. Struck-by incidents occur when materials fall or equipment moves unpredictably. Trench collapses and excavation failures are among the most dangerous conditions on any job site.

Construction remains one of the most dangerous industries in the United States. Falls, struck-by incidents, electrocutions, and caught-in accidents—often called OSHA’s “Fatal Four”—account for the majority of construction deaths. Fall protection violations remain the most frequently cited OSHA safety issue each year.

In dense construction environments like Westchester County and the Bronx, overlapping contractors and tight job sites increase these risks.

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), known as the Scaffold Law, imposes strict liability when workers are injured in elevation-related accidents. If proper safety devices were not provided, liability is often automatic.

Labor Law § 241(6) requires compliance with detailed safety rules under the Industrial Code. Violations can form the basis of a lawsuit.

Labor Law § 200 applies to general site safety and negligence.

These laws shift the burden away from the worker and toward those responsible for job site safety.

Where Do Construction Accidents Happen Most Often in Westchester County?

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

High-activity zones include downtown White Plains, Mamaroneck Avenue, and the Galleria redevelopment corridor. Along I-287, construction crews work near high-speed traffic. The Bronx River Parkway presents additional risks due to narrow lanes and limited shoulders.

Other major corridors include I-95, I-87, the Taconic State Parkway, and the Sprain Brook Parkway.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Construction Accident?

Construction accident claims often involve multiple layers of recovery.

Workers’ compensation covers medical care and partial wage replacement, but it is limited.

Many injured workers assume workers’ compensation is their only option. It is not. Third-party claims against contractors, property owners, or manufacturers are often where full financial recovery happens. Workers’ compensation is the floor. A lawsuit is where the real value of the case is established.

Recoverable damages may include:

• Full lost wages and future earning capacity
• Medical expenses and long-term care
• Pain and suffering

In wrongful death cases, families may recover under EPTL § 5-4.1 and § 5-4.3.

Under CPLR § 1411, New York follows pure comparative negligence, meaning compensation may be reduced but not eliminated if you were partially at fault.

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

The process typically begins with a consultation and investigation. Workers’ compensation claims are filed quickly, while third-party claims are developed in parallel.

If settlement negotiations fail, a lawsuit may be filed in Westchester County Supreme Court.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Generally three years under CPLR § 214, with shorter deadlines for claims against municipalities.

Can I sue if I receive workers’ compensation?

Yes. Third-party claims are often the most valuable part of the case.

What is Labor Law § 240(1)?

It imposes strict liability for elevation-related construction injuries.

What if I was partially at fault?

You can still recover damages under New York’s comparative negligence rule.

Do I have to pay upfront legal fees?

No. The firm works on a contingency basis.

Speak With a White Plains Construction Accident Lawyer Today

Construction accidents change lives fast. The legal process should not add to the burden.

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) 730-5789 today for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.