Brooklyn Construction Accident Lawyer

Are you looking for a construction accident lawyer in Brooklyn?

At The Edelsteins, Faegenburg, & Blyakher LLP, we are Brooklyn construction accident lawyers committed to thorough preparation in every matter we handle.

If you were hurt on a construction site in Brooklyn, you may be facing surgery, months without a paycheck, and questions about who will pay for your care. Workers’ compensation pays medical bills and part of your wages. It does not pay for pain and suffering. Our Brooklyn, NY construction accident lawyer can identify every party responsible for your injuries. The Edelsteins, Faegenburg, & Blyakher LLP obtained a $36 million settlement for an injured construction worker, the largest personal injury settlement ever reported in the State of New York. Contact our office to schedule a free consultation.

Construction Accident Lawyer Brooklyn, NY

A construction accident lawyer represents workers and bystanders who are injured on or near building sites. The attorney investigates how the accident happened, identifies the owners, contractors, and equipment companies that may be liable, and pursues compensation through insurance claims or a lawsuit. This work is separate from the workers’ compensation claim filed through your employer.

Brooklyn recorded 73 construction incidents involving an injury or death in 2025, according to NYC Buildings data. Those incidents injured 77 people and killed three. Only Manhattan reported more.

Types of Construction Accident Cases We Handle in Brooklyn

Our firm represents injured workers in a wide variety of accidents that occur on construction sites. Each type of accident involves different evidence and responsible parties. Our Brooklyn, NY construction accident attorneys handle the following cases.

• Scaffold falls. Workers fall when scaffolds are built without guardrails, proper planking, or secure anchoring. We investigate who erected and inspected the structure, because more than one contractor is often involved.
• Ladder accidents. A ladder that is defective, unsecured, or the wrong height for the job can cause a serious fall. Our firm obtained a $4.5 million settlement for a worker who fell from a ladder while making repairs at the Metropolitan Opera House.
• Falling objects and debris. Tools, materials, and unsecured loads can strike workers and pedestrians below. These claims often depend on whether netting, toe boards, and overhead protection were in place.
• Forklift and heavy machinery accidents. Excavators, forklifts, and cement mixers cause crush injuries and amputations. We examine maintenance records and operator training in these cases.
• Electrical accidents. Contact with live wiring or overhead power lines causes burns, cardiac injury, and death. We identify the contractor that controlled the power source.
• Trench and excavation collapses. Unshored trenches can cave in within seconds. The weight of the soil causes crush injuries and suffocation, and rescue is difficult.
• Truck accidents. Dump trucks, concrete mixers, and delivery vehicles move through crowded sites and narrow Brooklyn streets. Our attorneys pursue the driver, the trucking company, and any contractor that directed the vehicle.
• Slip and fall accidents. Wet surfaces, loose materials, and unlit stairwells cause falls at ground level. These claims require proof of who created the hazard or failed to correct it.
• Wrongful death. Some construction accidents are fatal. We represent families who have lost a loved one and help them pursue the financial support the law allows.

Why Choose The Edelsteins, Faegenburg, & Blyakher LLP as my Construction Accident Lawyer in Brooklyn, NY?

Proven Results in Construction Accident Cases

Our listed verdicts and settlements total more than $137 million. Several of the largest involved construction and job site injuries.

• We obtained a $36 million settlement for a construction worker who sustained catastrophic injuries after being struck by a utility pole.
• We recovered $5.5 million for a construction worker struck by an excavator bucket.
• We won a $5,460,000 verdict for a worker at JFK who sustained pelvic fractures after being crushed by a forklift.
• We won a $3.5 million verdict for a worker whose hand was injured by the barrel of a cement mixer.
• We secured $2,750,000 for an HVAC worker who fell through an unguarded hatch.

Brooklyn-Trained Attorneys and a Free Consultation

Paul J. Edelstein and Glenn K. Faegenburg are both graduates of Brooklyn Law School. Glenn earned his J.D. in 1990 and is listed by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers. Paul belongs to the Brooklyn Bar Association and the New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA). Construction claims are one part of our injury practice. Our personal injury lawyer in Brooklyn, NY also handles truck crashes, falls, and wrongful death cases. Your first consultation is free.

What Is Important To Understand About Construction Accident Cases?

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Construction Accident Cases

Most injured workers have two possible sources of recovery. The first is workers’ compensation through the employer. The second is a negligence lawsuit against other parties whose carelessness contributed to the accident, which is where third-party liability becomes central.

• Liability. Property owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and equipment manufacturers can each be responsible for unsafe conditions.
• Negligence. A party is negligent when it fails to use reasonable care and that failure causes an injury.
• Economic damages. These damages cover medical bills, future care, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity.
• Non-economic damages. These damages compensate for pain and suffering, disability, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Shared fault. In most negligence claims, New York’s comparative negligence rule reduces a recovery by the injured person’s share of fault.

What Are Important Aspects of a Construction Accident Case?

Several issues shape a construction claim from the first day. Each one affects who can be sued and how much can be recovered.

• Your employment status matters, although a claim may exist even if you worked for a subcontractor.
• The identity of the property owner and the general contractor determines which insurance policies apply.
• Safety equipment is a frequent issue, including whether there was a lack of protective gear.
• Public projects involve government entities, and claims against them carry much shorter notice deadlines.

What Is The Construction Accident Case Timeline?

The length of a case depends on the severity of the injury and the number of defendants. Most claims follow the same personal injury timeline and pass through five stages.

• The investigation begins with the accident report, photographs, witness statements, and site records.
• A workers’ compensation claim is filed so that medical care and wage benefits can start.
• We file a lawsuit against the responsible third parties when the evidence supports one.
• Both sides exchange documents and take testimony, including your deposition.
• The case ends through a negotiated settlement or a trial verdict.

What Should You Bring to Your Construction Accident Consultation?

Documents help us evaluate your claim quickly. You should bring whatever you have of the following to your appointment with us.

• You should bring medical records and bills from your treatment.
• Any accident report or workers’ compensation paperwork is helpful.
• Photographs of the site, the equipment, and your injuries are valuable evidence.
• Pay stubs and the names of your employer and the general contractor help us identify the parties.

A personal injury consultation with our firm is free. We will review how the accident happened, explain your options, and answer your questions during that first meeting.

Most Dangerous Locations for Construction Accidents in Brooklyn

High-rise development in Downtown Brooklyn, waterfront towers in Williamsburg and Greenpoint, and new residential buildings in Gowanus place large crews at significant heights. Pedestrians on the sidewalks below are exposed to falling debris. Smaller renovation projects on brownstones and low-rise buildings in neighborhoods such as Bushwick and Bedford-Stuyvesant carry their own hazards, including unstable ladders, open floors, and exposed wiring that causes electrical injuries. Road and utility work along Atlantic Avenue and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway adds the danger of passing traffic, and construction zone accidents there often involve motor vehicles.

Reach Out to The Edelsteins, Faegenburg, & Blyakher LLP to Schedule a Consultation

A serious job site injury affects your income, your health, and your family. Our Brooklyn construction accident attorneys offer a free consultation, and we will explain what your claim involves and which parties may be responsible. Our office responds to new inquiries as quickly as possible. Contact us to schedule a time to speak with our office.

Construction Accident Statistics in Brooklyn, NY

The NYC Department of Buildings tracks injuries and deaths on building construction sites in all five boroughs. Its figures show that citywide injuries fell in 2025, and the department reported a 33 percent drop in building construction injuries. Fatalities moved in the opposite direction.

• Brooklyn had 73 construction incidents with an injury or fatality in 2025, and those incidents caused 77 injuries and three deaths, according to Department of Buildings records.
• The same records show 320 construction injuries and 10 deaths citywide in 2025.
• Worker falls caused 163 of those injuries and six of the 10 deaths.
• The construction sector in New York State had 50 fatal work injuries in 2024, and 24 of them resulted from falls, slips, and trips, according to BLS state data.
• Construction had 1,034 workplace deaths nationwide in 2024, the most of any private industry, according to federal fatality figures.

Brooklyn accounted for approximately one in four of the city’s reported construction injuries in 2025. These numbers do not capture every injury. The Department of Buildings report covers building construction work sites, so injuries on road and transit projects may not appear in its totals. Federal figures are broader and include deaths that occur outside permitted building sites. The pattern is consistent across every source. Falls are the leading cause of serious harm, and the causes of fatality and common construction accident injuries in these reports match what a Brooklyn construction accident attorney sees in practice.

Mistakes That Can Damage Your Construction Accident Claim

1. Failing to report the accident. Tell your supervisor or foreman about the injury as soon as you can, and make sure a written report is created. Keep a copy for your own records. A missing report gives insurers a reason to question whether the accident happened at work.
2. Delaying medical treatment. See a doctor immediately, even if the pain seems manageable. Some head and spine injuries worsen over days, and a gap in medical treatment can be used to argue that you were not seriously hurt.
3. Leaving the scene undocumented. Evidence from scaffolding accidents, ladder falls, and machine injuries can disappear once the site is cleaned up. Ask a coworker to take photographs if you cannot. Write down the names of witnesses and the companies that were working on the site that day.
4. Giving a recorded statement to an insurer. An adjuster may call within days. You are allowed to decline until you have spoken with a lawyer, and it helps to know what to say when an insurance adjuster calls.
5. Assuming workers’ compensation is your only option. Many injured workers never learn that a third-party lawsuit may be available against an owner, contractor, or manufacturer. That claim can include damages that workers’ compensation does not pay.
6. Posting about the accident online. Defense lawyers review social media. A single photograph can be taken out of context, and social media posts have been used to dispute injuries. Keep your accounts private and avoid discussing the case until it is resolved.
7. Returning to heavy work too soon. Going back before your doctor clears you can aggravate the injury. It also weakens the medical record that supports your claim.
8. Signing documents you do not understand. A release ends your claim permanently in most situations. You should have an attorney review any settlement paperwork before you sign it.
9. Relying on your employer to protect your claim. Your employer’s insurance carrier manages the workers’ compensation file, and its interests are not the same as yours. No one at the company is responsible for identifying other parties you may be able to sue.
10. Waiting too long to get legal advice. Evidence is lost, witnesses move to other job sites, and filing deadlines continue to run. An early call lets a construction accident attorney in Brooklyn protect your legal rights while the facts are fresh.

Brooklyn Construction Accident Lawyer FAQs

How much does a construction accident lawyer cost?

Your first consultation with our firm is free. We will explain our fee arrangement in full during that meeting, before you decide whether to hire us. You can ask how paying a lawyer works in an injury case and what costs are involved. Concern about the price of a first conversation should not keep you from getting legal advice.

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

In many cases, you can. Workers’ compensation benefits come through your employer’s insurance, and receiving them does not prevent a claim against other responsible parties. Owners, general contractors, and equipment makers are common defendants. We review every case to see whether a personal injury claim is available in addition to your benefits. A third-party case can include pain and suffering and the full amount of lost income.

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

New York’s statute of limitations gives you three years from the date of the accident to file most personal injury lawsuits. Claims against a city or state agency have much shorter notice requirements. A wrongful death claim must be filed within two years of the death. The deadline depends on who the defendants are, so you should confirm how long you have as early as possible.

What if I was partly at fault for the accident?

You may still recover compensation. In most negligence claims arising from a construction site, your award is reduced by your percentage of fault and is not eliminated. A worker found 20 percent responsible would receive 80 percent of the damages. Different rules can apply when a motor vehicle is involved. Insurers often overstate a worker’s role, and sharing blame should not stop you from asking a lawyer to review the facts.

Who can be held responsible for a construction site injury?

Responsibility often extends beyond your direct employer. Property owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and manufacturers of defective heavy machinery may all share liability. Each party has separate insurance coverage. One policy may not be enough to cover a serious injury. Our investigation looks at contracts, site logs, and inspection records to determine who is responsible for the conditions that caused the accident.

What compensation can I recover after a construction accident?

A claim can include medical expenses, future treatment, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Severe cases, such as a spinal cord injury or a traumatic brain injury, may also involve the cost of home modifications and long-term care. The value depends on the injury, your age, your occupation, and the available insurance. We explain the damages available after reviewing your records. No attorney can promise a specific amount at the outset.

What if I am not an employee of the contractor?

Independent contractors, day laborers, and employees of other companies work on the same sites as direct employees. Your status affects which benefits you can claim, but it does not automatically prevent a lawsuit. Pedestrians and visitors injured by construction activity may also have claims. We regularly answer questions from people who were not an employee of the company that controlled the site.

How long will my construction accident case take?

Some cases settle within months. Others take several years, particularly when the injuries are severe, multiple defendants are involved, or the case goes to trial. Your medical recovery also affects timing, because the full extent of an injury should be known before a case is resolved. We give clients a realistic estimate of how long it takes once we understand the facts.

What if a family member died in a construction accident?

Surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim. New York’s wrongful death statute requires that the action be filed within two years of the death. Families may also have a claim for workers’ compensation death benefits. We guide relatives through the steps to take when a loved one dies on a job site.

Do I need a lawyer if the insurance company has already made an offer?

An early offer is usually made before the full cost of the injury is known. Once you accept and sign a release, you generally cannot ask for more money later, even if you need additional surgery. A lawyer can compare the offer against your medical prognosis, your lost income, and the insurance coverage available. Our Brooklyn construction accident lawyers review offers during a free consultation.

Important Resources for Brooklyn Construction Accident Cases

What Are Important New York Legal Resources for Construction Accident Cases?

New York publishes its statutes online at no cost. The resources below can help you find the laws on filing deadlines, negligence, and damages that apply to an injury claim. A Brooklyn construction accident lawyer can explain how these laws apply to your situation.

• The personal injury deadline for most New York lawsuits is three years.
• The state’s comparative fault statute explains how shared negligence affects damages.
• The wrongful death law sets a two-year filing period for those claims.

What Are Important Local Resources for Brooklyn Construction Accident Cases?

The following organizations assist injured workers in Brooklyn. They are listed for information only, and The Edelsteins, Faegenburg, & Blyakher LLP does not endorse or have a relationship with any of them.

• NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County operates a Level 1 trauma center at 451 Clarkson Avenue and can be reached at 718-245-3131.
• The Workers’ Compensation Board has a Brooklyn district office at 111 Livingston Street, and its customer service line is 877-632-4996.
• OSHA accepts reports of unsafe job site conditions at 800-321-6742.
• The NYC Department of Buildings investigates unsafe construction sites, and complaints can be made by calling 311.

About The Edelsteins, Faegenburg, & Blyakher LLP

The Edelsteins, Faegenburg, & Blyakher LLP is a New York personal injury firm that represents injured people and their families. Paul J. Edelstein is a member of the American Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association, and he took part in the Trial Lawyers Care 9/11 Project. The firm also obtained $22 million for a professional boxer who suffered a brain injury, which at the time was the largest personal injury settlement ever recovered against the State of New York.

What Our Clients Say

★★★★★

“I am very grateful I worked with Arthur and Paul on my case. They were very attentive and took the time to explain each step that took place over the five years my case was open. I never felt pressured into any decision or made to feel rushed into anything. They handled my case with the utmost care and professionalism and I am so thankful!” – Clare Zaytoun

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Additional Resources for Brooklyn Construction Accident Cases

• 5 Things to Know About Filing a Construction Accident Lawsuit
• Top Seven Construction Workplace Hazards
• What Factors Cause Accidents in Construction?
• New York Construction Accidents Involving Hand and Power Tools
• What Should You Do After a Construction Accident?

Contact The Edelsteins, Faegenburg, & Blyakher LLP

A construction injury can change how you work and live for years. The Edelsteins, Faegenburg, & Blyakher LLP offers a free consultation to injured workers and their families throughout Brooklyn. During that conversation, we will listen to what happened, review your documents, and explain the claims that may be available. A construction accident attorney in Brooklyn, NY can tell you which deadlines apply. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.