$1.55 Million Premises Liability Settlement in Manhattan

Raphaelson & Levine secured a $1.55 million settlement for a Manhattan worker who fell into an unprotected excavation trench at a job site, suffering injuries to his head, knee, neck, back, and shoulder.

An Unguarded Trench at a Manhattan Work Site

An excavation trench had been dug for plumbing work at a Manhattan construction site — but the contractor responsible for the excavation left the trench completely unprotected. No barriers, no covers, no warning signage. Our client, working nearby, stepped into the open trench and fell, striking his body on the hard ground below.

The impact caused injuries to his head, left knee, cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right shoulder. He also suffered a psychological injury stemming from the traumatic fall. The combined injuries required extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Proving Contractor Negligence in Manhattan

The general contractor and excavation subcontractor both attempted to deflect blame, claiming our client should have noticed the trench. Our premises liability attorneys retained a construction safety expert who inspected the site and documented multiple OSHA violations, including the failure to install guardrails around the excavation and the absence of any warning signage.

Howard Raphaelson personally led the investigation into the contractor's safety record, uncovering prior violations at other job sites — a pattern of cutting corners on worker safety.

$1.55 Million for a Manhattan Construction Site Fall

The $1.55 million settlement compensates our client for his medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and the psychological impact of the fall — holding the negligent parties accountable for creating a hazardous worksite.

"An open, unguarded trench on an active job site is one of the most preventable hazards in construction. When contractors skip basic safety measures, workers bear the consequences — and we make sure those contractors are held responsible."

— Howard Raphaelson, Founding Partner at Raphaelson & Levine

If you've been injured in a fall at a construction site or work zone in New York, our construction accident attorneys have decades of experience holding contractors accountable for safety violations, and are ready to review your claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.