Abogados de Accidentes de
Construcción en Long Island City

High-rise construction presents extreme fall hazards at every stage. Workers on LIC's 40-60 story towers face dangers from [scaffold work](/accidents/scaffold-falls) at heights where falls are almost invariably fatal, hoisting operations that can drop materials from extreme heights, unprotected floor and elevator shaft openings, incomplete perimeter protection, and the inherent risks of working on structures under construction. Labor Law 240 specifically addresses these gravity-related hazards with absolute liability for property owners and contractors who fail to provide adequate fall protection.

While Amazon withdrew its HQ2 plans in 2019, Long Island City's construction boom continues unabated—and has actually accelerated since. The publicity brought national attention to the neighborhood and attracted additional developer interest. Workers on all current projects have full Labor Law 240 protection regardless of what prompted the development. The same absolute liability standard applies whether a tower was planned before, during, or after the Amazon announcement.

Tower crane accidents are among the most serious construction injuries, often resulting in fatalities or catastrophic harm. Labor Law 240 covers struck-by injuries from crane operations, including loads that fall, swing unexpectedly, or strike workers during hoisting. Property owners and general contractors bear absolute liability for these accidents. If you were injured in a crane-related incident—whether struck by a load, injured during rigging operations, or hurt in a crane malfunction—you have a valid scaffold law claim. Crane accidents often result in substantial verdicts due to the severity of injuries.

Yes. Labor Law 240 makes absolutely no distinction based on the ultimate use, price point, or occupant income of the building under construction. Workers building luxury waterfront condominiums at Hunters Point have identical protections to those constructing the affordable units in the same development. The law focuses on the hazards of the work, not the value of the finished product. All tower construction workers deserve and receive the same protections.

Under Labor Law 240, property owners and general contractors bear absolute liability regardless of which subcontractor was directly involved in the accident. They cannot escape liability by pointing fingers at subcontractors, and you can pursue claims against multiple parties. Even if the accident resulted entirely from your direct employer's (a subcontractor's) negligence, the property owner and general contractor remain liable under the scaffold law. This non-delegable duty ensures workers can recover from parties with substantial resources and insurance coverage.