Queens Scaffold Accident Lawyers, Protecting the Workers Who Build New York
Every day, thousands of construction workers across Queens climb onto scaffolds, trusting that their equipment, coworkers, and supervisors have kept them safe. Scaffolds line the skyline in Astoria, Long Island City, and Forest Hills — helping build the homes, schools, and office towers that define New York City.
But behind that progress lies danger. One loose plank, a missing safety harness, or a poorly constructed scaffold can cause a fall that changes everything. A moment of carelessness by a contractor or site manager can leave a worker with broken bones, spinal injuries, or permanent disability.
Scaffold accidents are among the deadliest incidents on New York construction sites. Even though state law requires strict safety measures, many employers cut corners to save time or money. The result is tragedy — and often, silence. Workers are told it was “just an accident,” but most of the time, it was preventable.
If you were hurt in a scaffold accident in Queens, you do not have to face this alone. The Injury Group is here to help you fight back.
The True Cost of a Scaffold Fall
After a scaffold accident, life can feel upside down. Pain, confusion, and fear take over as medical bills start arriving and paychecks stop coming in. Many injured workers feel pressure to return to work before they are ready or are told to file for workers’ compensation and move on.
But here’s the truth: scaffold accidents are rarely just bad luck. They often involve negligence, ignored safety rules, and violations of New York labor laws. Employers, contractors, and property owners have a legal duty to protect you. When they fail, they must be held accountable.
Unfortunately, insurance companies fight hard to minimize these cases. They may claim the fall was your fault, that you “should have been more careful,” or that your injuries are not as serious as you claim. Meanwhile, you may be facing surgeries, physical therapy, and months or years of lost wages.
You have worked too hard to be treated like you do not matter. At The Injury Group, we make sure you are seen, heard, and fully compensated for everything you have lost.
Experienced Queens Scaffold Accident Attorneys Who Win
At The Injury Group, we represent the men and women who build New York. Our firm understands the danger that comes with construction work — especially when scaffolds are involved. We have fought for countless workers injured in scaffold falls, collapses, and equipment failures.
We know how to hold negligent parties accountable under New York’s Scaffold Law and other labor protections.
When you choose our team, you get a law firm that will:
Investigate the accident immediately. We gather evidence from the job site, including photos, safety records, and witness statements. We also demand maintenance logs, inspection reports, and video footage to prove exactly how the accident happened.
Identify every responsible party. Scaffold projects often involve multiple contractors, property owners, and equipment suppliers. We trace every connection to ensure no one escapes responsibility for your injuries.
Consult with construction and engineering experts. We work with professionals who understand scaffold design, OSHA standards, and industry safety protocols. Their insight strengthens your case by showing what went wrong and why.
Handle all insurance and legal communications. You will never have to deal with aggressive adjusters or confusing paperwork. We protect you from manipulative tactics that try to push you into unfair settlements.
Prepare for trial if necessary. Our attorneys are not afraid to go to court. We prepare every case as if it will be tried before a jury, giving us leverage in negotiations and credibility with judges and insurers.
Provide compassionate support every step of the way. You are not just a client — you are a person who deserves respect, communication, and guidance through this process. We make sure you always know what is happening and why.
Our mission is simple: to rebuild your life after a devastating scaffold accident and make sure you are financially secure.
Understanding the New York Scaffold Law (Labor Law 240)
New York’s Scaffold Law is one of the most powerful worker protection laws in the country. It was created to protect construction workers who are exposed to height-related risks such as scaffolds, ladders, and elevated platforms.
Under Labor Law 240, property owners, general contractors, and construction managers are legally required to provide proper safety equipment and ensure that scaffolds are safe and secure.
If they fail to do so and a worker falls or is struck by falling objects, they can be held absolutely liable for resulting injuries.
This means:
You do not need to prove your employer’s intent or recklessness.
If the safety equipment failed, or if no protective gear was provided, the responsible party can be held accountable.
You can recover damages beyond workers’ compensation, including full lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.
Our attorneys have successfully used this law to win life-changing verdicts for injured workers across Queens and beyond.
Common Causes of Scaffold Accidents In Queens
Scaffold accidents often occur because of carelessness or safety violations. Here are some of the most frequent causes we see:
Improper scaffold construction. When scaffolds are built incorrectly, without secure platforms or proper supports, they become unstable. A minor shift can lead to catastrophic collapse and severe injuries for anyone standing on or beneath it.
Defective or old equipment. Ropes, pulleys, and planks weaken over time. When supervisors ignore maintenance, a single weak link can cause disaster. Equipment manufacturers can also be liable if a defect contributed to the fall.
Lack of guardrails or safety harnesses. New York law requires fall protection on elevated work surfaces. When guardrails or harnesses are missing, employers can be held strictly liable under Labor Law 240.
Falling tools or materials. Workers below scaffolds face serious risks when equipment is not properly secured. Even a small wrench dropped from above can cause fatal head injuries.
Overloading scaffolds. Every scaffold has a maximum weight capacity. Overloading it with materials or workers can cause sudden collapse that injures multiple people at once.
Inadequate training or supervision. Employers must train workers in proper scaffold use. Without that knowledge, workers face unnecessary risks that could have been avoided.
Each of these causes points to negligence — and negligence is something we know how to prove.
Common Injuries from Scaffold Accidents
Scaffold accidents can result in some of the most severe injuries seen on construction sites. These include:
Spinal cord injuries. Falling from a height or being struck by heavy materials can damage the spinal cord. Victims may experience paralysis, chronic pain, and permanent disability that require lifelong care.
Traumatic brain injuries. Even with helmets, falling from several stories can cause brain damage, memory loss, and impaired cognitive function. These injuries often require years of rehabilitation.
Broken bones and fractures. Arms, legs, ribs, and hips are commonly broken during scaffold collapses or falls. These injuries usually require surgery and extended recovery time.
Internal injuries. The impact from a fall can damage organs and cause internal bleeding, often requiring emergency medical attention.
Severe lacerations and disfigurement. Sharp edges, debris, and metal components can cause deep cuts and scarring, leading to long-term physical and emotional trauma.
Wrongful death. Sadly, many scaffold accidents are fatal. Families left behind deserve justice for their unimaginable loss.
At The Injury Group, we understand that these injuries are not just medical events — they are life-changing experiences. Our goal is to ensure you receive every dollar needed for treatment, recovery, and future security.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
When you are injured in a scaffold accident, you may qualify for several forms of compensation, depending on your case.
Medical expenses. This includes hospital bills, rehabilitation, surgery, medication, and long-term physical therapy. We ensure your settlement accounts for both current and future medical needs.
Lost wages and earning potential. Many scaffold injuries prevent victims from returning to their previous jobs. We calculate total income loss, including future earnings, so your financial future remains protected.
Pain, suffering, and emotional distress. These damages reflect the physical agony, fear, and emotional struggle you endure after the accident.
Permanent disability or disfigurement. If your injury limits your mobility, independence, or appearance, compensation should reflect the magnitude of that impact.
Wrongful death damages. If you lost a loved one in a scaffold accident, we pursue compensation for lost support, funeral costs, and emotional loss.
We build every case for maximum recovery because we believe your hard work deserves full respect — not partial justice.
Workers’ Compensation vs Lawsuit Under the Scaffold Law
Many injured workers are told they can only file for workers’ compensation, but under the Scaffold Law, that is not always true.
Workers’ compensation provides basic benefits, such as medical coverage and partial wage replacement, but it does not account for pain, suffering, or permanent disability.
Under Labor Law 240, if your employer, general contractor, or property owner failed to provide safe equipment or adequate fall protection, you can file a third-party lawsuit in addition to workers’ compensation.
This type of lawsuit can help you recover full damages for:
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Permanent disability
Future wage loss and benefits
Our attorneys evaluate every case to determine which path offers the best outcome — and in many situations, we pursue both.
What to Do After a Queens Scaffold Accident
Seek immediate medical attention. Even if you feel fine, internal injuries and concussions may not show symptoms right away. Getting medical care protects both your health and your legal case.
Report the accident to your supervisor. Make sure an official report is filed and that you receive a copy. This creates an important record of the event.
Take photos and collect evidence. If possible, document the scaffold, the area where the accident occurred, and any visible injuries. These details are crucial later.
Get witness names and contact information. Coworkers who saw what happened can provide valuable testimony that strengthens your case.
Contact The Injury Group immediately. The sooner we begin our investigation, the more evidence we can preserve and the stronger your case will be.
Our team acts fast because we know construction sites change quickly — and so do stories.
Why Choose The Injury Group
Unmatched experience with scaffold and fall cases. Our firm has decades of experience representing construction workers injured across Queens and New York City. We understand how to use labor laws to your advantage.
Aggressive litigation and negotiation. Insurance companies know our reputation for courtroom success. That makes them take our clients seriously and pay what they owe.
Personalized attention. Every client gets direct communication with their attorney. You will never be treated like a case number.
Compassionate guidance. We know this is one of the hardest times in your life. Our lawyers and staff treat you with respect and care from start to finish.
No fees unless we win. We work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing until we recover compensation for you.
At The Injury Group, we do not just win cases — we restore lives.
Proudly Serving All of Queens NY
We represent injured workers in every community across Queens, including:
Astoria, Long Island City, Woodside, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Maspeth, Glendale, Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Flushing, Bayside, Whitestone, Queens Village, Hillcrest, Douglaston, Neponsit, and Far Rockaway.
Wherever your accident happened, we will come to you, investigate your case, and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Queens, The Backbone of New York’s Workforce
Queens has always been home to builders, dreamers, and doers. From the high-rises of Long Island City to the waterfronts of Astoria, the borough’s skyline exists because of hardworking men and women who take risks every day.
At The Injury Group, we honor that strength. When a scaffold fall or collapse takes away your ability to work, we fight to protect your rights and rebuild your life. We are proud to stand beside the people who built Queens — and we will never stop fighting for your future.