Understanding
Your Accident Type
Labor Law 240 covers many types of construction accidents. Learning about your specific situation can help you understand your rights and protections.
Labor Law 240 specifically covers “gravity-related” hazards—this means accidents where you fell from a height, or where something fell and struck you. Below you'll find information about many common accident types.
Falls from Heights
7 typesScaffold Falls
Falls from scaffolding are among the most common and serious construction accidents covered under Labor Law 240.
Learn moreLadder Accidents
Defective, improperly secured, or inadequate ladders cause thousands of construction injuries each year.
Learn moreRoof Falls
Falls from roofs during construction, repair, or renovation work are fully covered under the Scaffold Law.
Learn moreElevator Shaft Falls
Falls into unguarded elevator shafts during construction cause catastrophic injuries and death.
Learn moreStairwell Falls
Falls in unfinished stairwells without proper railings cause serious construction injuries.
Learn moreFloor Opening Falls
Unguarded floor openings, holes, and gaps cause preventable construction falls.
Learn moreScaffold Tip-Over Accidents
Workers injured when unstable scaffolds tip over or overturn on construction sites.
Learn moreCollapses
3 typesTrench Collapse
Trench and excavation collapses can cause suffocation, crush injuries, and death.
Learn moreScaffold Collapse
Complete scaffold collapses cause multiple worker injuries and fatalities.
Learn moreStructural Collapse
Building structural collapses during construction cause mass casualty events.
Learn moreEquipment Failures
3 typesAerial Lift Falls
Falls from aerial lifts, boom lifts, and bucket trucks are covered under Labor Law 240.
Learn moreCrane Accidents
Crane accidents including load drops, tip-overs, and struck-by incidents cause catastrophic injuries.
Learn moreForklift Accidents
Forklift tip-overs, struck-by incidents, and crush injuries from powered industrial trucks.
Learn moreOSHA Fatal Four
3 typesElectrocution Accidents
Electrical hazards cause severe burns, cardiac arrest, and death on construction sites.
Learn moreStruck-By Accidents
Workers struck by vehicles, equipment, or swinging loads suffer devastating injuries.
Learn moreCaught-Between Accidents
Workers caught in or between machinery, equipment, or collapsing materials suffer crushing injuries.
Learn moreSpecific Trade Accidents
5 typesRoofing Accidents
Roofers falling during installation, repair, or replacement work.
Learn moreIronworker Falls
Structural ironworkers falling during steel erection and connection work.
Learn moreConcrete Work Accidents
Falls and injuries during concrete pouring, finishing, and formwork operations.
Learn moreBurns & Chemical Exposure
Thermal, chemical, and electrical burns from welding, concrete, chemicals, and arc flash incidents.
Learn morePower Tool Injuries
Injuries from power saws, nail guns, grinders, and other powered construction equipment.
Learn moreWhat Makes These Accidents Special?
Labor Law 240 applies specifically to “gravity-related” hazards. This includes workers falling from heights AND objects falling onto workers. The key is that gravity caused or contributed to the injury.
01
Worker Falls
Falls from scaffolds, ladders, roofs, elevated platforms, or any height due to inadequate safety equipment.
02
Falling Objects
Being struck by tools, materials, or debris that fall due to gravity from inadequate securing.
03
Collapses
Scaffold, structure, trench, or formwork collapses that result in workers falling or being struck.
Not Sure If Your
Accident Is Covered?
Even if you don't see your exact situation listed, you may still have protection under the law. Every accident is different—let us help you understand your options.
This website is operated by NY Construction Advocate, a licensed New York attorney. If you contact us, your case will be reviewed for potential referral to an experienced construction accident attorney. Any referral arrangement will be disclosed to you before you sign with an attorney. This is attorney advertising.