Demolition workers are among the most vulnerable trades in NYC. Falling debris. Partial collapse during selective demolition. Inadequate dust control. Asbestos exposure during pre-1980 building demolition. NY's scaffold law expressly covers 'demolition' work, alongside erection, repair, alteration, painting, cleaning, and pointing. The strict-liability framework applies in full.
Madison Law Firm PLLC · 579 5th Ave, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10017
Site safety logs, OSHA accident reports, GC and sub-contract chain, fall-protection equipment (preserved), and witness statements from co-workers. Immigration status is NEVER discoverable.
Owner/GC carriers know is strict. We document the gravity-related elevation differential and the inadequate-or-missing safety device — and negotiate against $5M+ wrap-up policies.
construction-injury claims often go to summary judgment on liability. Then we try damages only. Powerful procedure when it applies.
Every case is different. The recoverable damages depend on your injuries, the insurance available, and the facts of your case.
The statute lists six covered activities — erection, demolition, repair, alteration, painting, cleaning, and pointing. Some defense lawyers argue 'maintenance' to escape. We document that the work was demolition (or one of the other covered activities) from day one — preserving the strict-liability framework for the worker.
You can collect Workers' Comp from your employer AND sue the property owner and general contractor under NY's scaffold law. Two recoveries from two different defendants. We handle both.
NY courts have ruled (Balbuena v. IDR Realty) that immigration status does not bar a construction-injury claim and is generally NOT discoverable. We protect that from day one.
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