$3.5 Million Construction Accident Settlement in New York

Raphaelson & Levine recovered $3.5 million for a construction worker struck by falling lumber after a hoisting assembly broke free from scaffold at a New York job site.

When Lumber Came Crashing Down

At a New York construction site, our client and a coworker were hoisting wooden planks using a rope and pulley mechanism. As the bundle rose, it struck an adjacent scaffold structure, causing the assembly to lose balance. Heavy lumber broke free and slammed into our client's back with tremendous force.

The blow knocked our client to the ground. The back injuries sustained in the impact were severe enough to require surgical intervention and an extended period away from work — a devastating outcome for a person whose livelihood depended on physical labor.

Exposing Rigging and Site Safety Failures

Defendants attempted to characterize the incident as an unforeseeable accident. Our construction accident attorneys rejected that framing entirely. A thorough site investigation revealed that the hoisting path ran dangerously close to the existing scaffold with no overhead protection or deflection barriers in place.

Safety experts retained by our team testified that industry-standard rigging protocols require adequate clearance between hoisting operations and nearby structures. The site had violated these standards, and no spotter had been assigned to guide the load. Under New York Labor Law, the property owner and general contractor bore responsibility for these failures.

A Hard-Won Recovery for a New York Worker

The $3.5 million settlement provides compensation intended to address surgical costs, lost wages during recovery, long-term rehabilitation, and the physical limitations our client faces going forward.

"Hoisting heavy materials near scaffold without proper clearance or a spotter is a recipe for exactly this kind of accident. The site owners cut corners, and our client paid for it with a serious back injury. This settlement holds them accountable."

— Jason Krakower, Attorney at Raphaelson & Levine

If you have been hurt by falling objects or unsafe rigging at a New York construction site, our construction injury lawyers have extensive experience holding contractors and property owners responsible under New York's strict labor protections. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.