IMAGE SEO:
- File name: wypadek-na-budowie-nielegalny-pobyt-ny.jpg
- Alt Text: A hard hat lying on the ground next to an overturned ladder
- Caption: In New York State, the law protects every worker, regardless of their immigration status.
One of the most dangerous myths circulating in Greenpoint and Ridgewood is: “If you don’t have papers, you don’t have rights.” This is a lie used by dishonest employers and insurance companies to save millions of dollars. In New York State courts, your immigration status is irrelevant in personal injury cases. The judge and jury have no right to ask about it.
Workers’ Comp is just the beginning
After an accident, you are automatically entitled to Workers’ Compensation (coverage for medical expenses and a portion of lost wages). But the real money lies elsewhere. If your accident was caused by negligence (e.g., lack of a harness, defective scaffolding), we initiate a so-called Third-Party Lawsuit. We can sue:
- The General Contractor.
- The building owner.
- The manufacturer of defective equipment.
Labor Law 240 – a tool against developers
New York has a unique law called the “Scaffold Law.” It states clearly: if you fell from a height (ladder, roof, scaffolding) or something fell on you, and the employer did not provide proper safety measures, they bear full liability. It is thanks to this regulation that we obtain settlements in the range of $2-5 million. Key steps: Do not sign anything from a “safety manager” without an attorney. Take photos of the scene. Did you fall from a height? Check if you qualify for a lawsuit under Labor Law 240.
