Abogados de Accidentes de
Construcción en East Harlem

The 2017 East Harlem Rezoning allowed significantly taller buildings along major corridors in exchange for affordable housing requirements. This unlocked development potential that had been restricted for decades. Combined with strong housing demand and city incentives for affordable construction, East Harlem has become one of the most active construction zones in Manhattan. The rezoning permits buildings up to 30+ stories along Lexington Avenue and other major corridors, a dramatic increase from previous zoning that limited most areas to 6-8 stories.

Yes, fully. Labor Law 240 applies regardless of project funding source. Workers on affordable housing developments funded by HPD, HDC, or other city agencies receive identical protection to workers on market-rate luxury construction. The property owner and contractor face strict liability for gravity-related injuries including [scaffold falls](/accidents/scaffold-falls) and [struck-by accidents](/accidents/falling-object-injuries). Budget constraints that affordable housing developers face do not reduce their legal obligations to protect workers.

NYCHA is a government entity, so special notice requirements apply. You must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of your accident—this is a strict deadline that courts rarely extend. However, NYCHA is fully subject to Labor Law 240 as a property owner. Private contractors working on NYCHA sites have normal liability. An experienced attorney can navigate these requirements and ensure all deadlines are met. Do not delay in seeking legal help after a NYCHA site injury.

East Harlem tenement renovations present multiple hazards: structural deterioration from decades of deferred maintenance, previous unpermitted modifications creating unexpected conditions, asbestos insulation and lead paint throughout pre-1980 buildings, narrow fire escapes sometimes used as work platforms, and shared walls that transmit vibration and may be compromised. Workers must often demolish extensively while stabilizing fragile structures. Falls through deteriorated floors and stairs are common, as are injuries from collapsing structural elements that appear sound until disturbed.

Yes. Labor Law 240 protects all workers regardless of immigration status. New York courts have consistently held that undocumented workers can sue for construction injuries and recover full damages. Immigration status cannot be used against you in court or to reduce your compensation. This protection is especially important in East Harlem's diverse construction workforce, where many workers come from immigrant communities. Employers and insurance companies are prohibited from inquiring about or using immigration status in injury cases.