Oneonta Construction Accident Attorneys
Last updated on May 12, 2026
Have you been injured in a construction accident? The injuries you have sustained may be covered under the New York Labor Law 240, commonly known as the “Scaffolding Law”, which was put in place to protect contractors and construction workers from on-site accidents.
If you’ve been involved in an accident on the job, call Scarzafava & Basdekis, PLLC, at 607-441-4137 to get started with your claim today! From our office in Oneonta, we represent injured construction workers in Otsego, Delaware and Chenango counties
A Response To The Dangers Of Construction Work
Construction is one of the most dangerous jobs. In fact, someone who works a full career (45 years) in the field is more likely than not to sustain an injury that results in a disability. Many of these injuries are due to what the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) calls the “fatal four:”
- Falls
- “Struck by” accidents
- Electrocution
- Caught in machinery or trapped in between two moving objects
Together, these incidents account for more than half of fatal accidents that occur on construction sites. Those who survive an accident are likely to suffer injuries including.
- Burns
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Broken or crushed bones
- Loss of limb
When you’re facing a devastating injury, you deserve financial help, either via your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance or a personal injury lawsuit. Do you know what to do when:
- You want to file a claim?
- The insurance company denies your claim?
- Your employer has illegally neglected to provide workers’ comp?
Especially when working with insurers, questions that seem simple often aren’t. It’s easier to fight with an experienced lawyer on your side.
Don’t let your injury stop you from receiving the compensation you deserve: An attorney can streamline your process and negotiate on your behalf, so you don’t have to waste any more energy on the problem.
Safety On The Job And Labor Laws In New York
There are specific regulations within the labor law in regards to scaffolding. The regulations have been put in place to ensure workers’ safety and when the law is not followed, it can lead to serious accidents. At Scarzafava & Basdekis, PLLC, we represent individuals like yourself who have sustained injuries because of negligent property owners or employers who have not given proper protection to employees.
Any scaffolding that has been erected more than 20 feet above ground must:
- Be secured so that it does not swing away from the structure
- Be able to bear four times the maximum weight which will be placed upon it
- Include safety rails or secured material which protect the outside and ends
New York’s Construction Labor Laws And Worker Protections
New York’s construction labor laws are designed to protect workers who face serious risks on job sites. We rely on specific statutes to hold owners and contractors accountable and pursue full compensation for injured workers:
- Labor Law 240: Also known as the Scaffold Law, which focuses on gravity-related accidents such as falls from ladders, scaffold collapses, falling objects and height-related injuries. It applies strict liability. This means the question is not whether the worker was careless, but whether proper safety equipment was provided. Even if a worker contributed to the accident, recovery may still be available when the law is violated. This law shifts the focus away from blame and toward safety compliance. If required protections were missing or inadequate, liability can attach directly to property owners and general contractors.
- Labor Law 241(6): Provides broader protection for construction site safety violations. It applies to various hazards, including machinery accidents, trench collapses, electrical injuries and unsafe equipment use. To bring a claim, the injury must be tied to a specific violation of the New York Industrial Code. Unlike Labor Law 240, comparative fault under 241(6) may reduce recovery, but injured workers can still recover damages when safety rules are proven to have been violated.
- Labor Law 200: This statute reflects the general duty of owners and contractors to maintain a reasonably safe work environment. It applies when they had control over the work or knew about a dangerous condition that was not corrected. Often, it is combined with FELA claims, Labor Law 240 and Labor Law 241(6) claims to strengthen liability and improve overall recovery.
Workers’ compensation benefits often do not cover the full impact of a construction injury, including long-term medical needs, lost income and pain and suffering. Labor Law claims can provide additional recovery beyond those limits.
These cases are complex and often involve overlapping legal theories, OSHA regulations and third-party liability. With over 40 years of experience representing injured workers throughout the tri-county area, Scarzafava & Basdekis, PLLC, knows how to apply these laws effectively.
If you have been injured on a construction site, do not speak with an insurance company before understanding your rights. Contact us for a free consultation so your claim is protected from the start. We work on a contingency basis, meaning you will not incur any upfront costs.
Discuss Your Claim with a Labor Law Lawyer
You may be able to file a personal injury claim if you were injured as a result of faulty scaffolding or a falling object. This could include falling from a scaffold that was not correctly secured or slipping and injuring yourself. There are many different circumstances relating to scaffolding which can lead to very serious injuries.
Our attorneys are an advocate for personal injury victims throughout the state of New York. We are proud to serve clients throughout the tri-county area, Oneonta, Cooperstown, Delhi, Norwich, and Sidney. If the accident you were injured in involved your employer’s negligence or unsafe working conditions, you may be entitled to compensation.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation! The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can get started putting a case together for you.