Scaffolding Accidents

Scaffolds are some of the most dangerous structures on any job site. Workers stand on narrow platforms several stories above the ground while carrying tools and materials, often in wind, rain or ice. When a scaffold is poorly built, overloaded, missing guardrails or not inspected, the result can be a devastating fall, a full collapse, or tools and debris falling onto the people below.

At Wiss Law Firm, we represent ironworkers, masons, painters, roofers, window installers, laborers and other tradespeople injured in scaffolding accidents across Long Island and New York City. We know New York's construction safety laws and use them to recover the full compensation our clients need to rebuild their lives.

Why Choose Wiss Law Firm

New York's Scaffold Law Protects Workers

New York gives construction workers some of the strongest protections in the country. Under Labor Law §240(1), known as the "Scaffold Law," property owners and general contractors must provide proper safety devices — including safe scaffolds, guardrails, harnesses and lifelines — to protect workers from elevation-related hazards. If they fail to do so and a worker is injured in a fall or struck by a falling object, the owner and contractor can be held liable even if they did not directly supervise the work.

Other laws may also apply, including Labor Law §241(6), which requires compliance with specific New York Industrial Code safety rules, and Labor Law §200, which requires owners and contractors to keep the work site reasonably safe.

Workers' compensation usually prevents an injured worker from suing their own employer, but it rarely covers everything — it does not pay for pain and suffering. A separate third-party claim against the property owner, general contractor, scaffold company or equipment manufacturer can provide the full compensation workers' comp leaves out.

Our Legal Services

1. I. Free Consultation. We review what happened, explain your rights under the Labor Law and outline how a third-party claim works alongside your workers' compensation benefits.
2. II. Accident Investigation. We gather OSHA and Department of Buildings records, scaffold permits and inspection logs, site photos, contracts and witness statements to establish who was responsible.
3. III. Engineering & Safety Experts. We work with construction safety and engineering experts to show how the scaffold failed and which safety rules were violated.
4. IV. Insurance Negotiations. We handle all communication with insurance carriers for owners and contractors, and coordinate with your workers' compensation case so you are not left out of pocket.
5. V. Litigation & Trial Representation. If the insurance companies won't offer a fair settlement, our trial attorneys are prepared to take your case to a jury.

Injuries We Help Scaffold Workers Recover From

Scaffolding falls often cause serious, life-altering injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and paralysis, broken bones and fractures, back and neck injuries, crush injuries and internal injuries. Many workers face surgeries, months of rehabilitation and the possibility that they may never return to their trade. When a scaffold accident takes a worker's life, we help families pursue a wrongful death claim.

Compensation in a scaffolding case may include medical expenses, past and future lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering and the cost of long-term care.

Strict deadlines apply. Most New York personal injury claims must be filed within three years, and claims involving a city, state or public agency may require a notice of claim within 90 days. Speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Don't let the insurance companies decide what your injury is worth. Contact Wiss Law Firm today for a free consultation — let us fight for the compensation you and your family deserve. 631-201-8200