Abogados de Accidentes de
Construcción en Tottenville

Yes. Workers performing home elevation—raising a house onto a new, higher foundation—are engaged in construction work fully covered by Labor Law 240. The scaffold law applies to all phases of elevation work, including foundation construction, house lifting, exterior finishing on the raised structure, and reconnection of utilities. The complex nature of elevation work creates multiple fall hazards that the law addresses.

The homeowner exemption from Labor Law 240 is narrow. It applies only to owners of one- and two-family dwellings who reside there and who did not direct or control the work. If the homeowner actively supervised the work, hired workers directly without a general contractor, or if the property is a rental or investment property, the exemption does not apply. Even when the exemption applies to the homeowner, the general contractor remains fully liable for Labor Law 240 violations.

Waterfront construction in Tottenville involves additional hazards including exposure to wind, rain, and tide conditions that can change rapidly; working on sloped or unstable terrain near the water; potential for falls into water; working on older structures with storm damage or hidden deterioration; and the complications of constructing flood-resistant foundations in sandy, coastal soils. These hazards make proper safety equipment even more essential.

Yes. Federal funding of recovery construction does not eliminate Labor Law 240 protections. Contractors and property owners receiving federal recovery funds through FEMA, HUD, or other programs remain fully liable for construction injuries under New York law. However, claims against government entities may have special procedural requirements, including shorter notice periods. Consult an attorney immediately after any injury on a government-funded project.

Tottenville construction accident cases are filed in Richmond County Supreme Court, located at 18 Richmond Terrace in St. George, Staten Island. Richmond County courts handle construction accident cases regularly and apply established Labor Law 240 precedent. Cases involving city-owned property or city contractors may have special procedural requirements, including Notice of Claim filing within 90 days.