Bronx Workplace Accident Lawyer

When you’re hurt at work in the Bronx, you have specific rights under New York law. This includes the right to seek compensation for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence.

Your case might involve more than a simple workers’ compensation claim, especially in high-risk fields like construction and healthcare. Sometimes, multiple parties could be responsible, not just your employer. This is where a third-party lawsuit comes into play, allowing you to pursue compensation for losses that workers’ comp doesn’t cover, such as pain and suffering.

If you’ve been injured, call our experienced Bronx workplace accident lawyers for a free consultation at (201) 585-9111. We’re here to help you move forward.

Why Choose Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C.?

When you’re injured on the job, you need a law firm with a deep, practical understanding of workplace injury claims. Our practice is built on providing dedicated, personalized attention to each client. We know the Bronx, its people, and the laws that protect them. We take the time to listen to your story, understand the full impact the injury has had on your life, and build a case designed to secure your future.

With a combined experience of over 80 years, our trial attorneys have a proven history of securing significant recoveries. This includes a landmark $101 million recovery for the workers and families affected by the Tropicana Garage Collapse, one of the nation’s largest construction disasters.

We prepare every case as if it is going to trial. This meticulous preparation frequently leads to better settlement offers because opposing parties know we are ready and willing to go to court to protect your rights. Our office is conveniently located at 930 Grand Concourse, Suite 1A, Bronx, NY 10451, a short distance from the Bronx County Courthouse and Yankee Stadium, making us a local firm with a powerful presence.

We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no legal fees unless we win your case.

What Is Your Workplace Accident Case Worth?

A workplace accident claim aims to cover all the losses you have suffered because of your injury. The goal is to make you “whole” again, at least financially, by providing the resources you need to recover and move forward. Calculating the true value of a case requires a careful look at both immediate costs and the long-term consequences of your injury.

Economic Damages: The Tangible Costs

These are the straightforward, calculable expenses that pile up after an accident. They form the foundation of your claim and include:

• Medical Bills: This covers everything from the initial emergency room visit to ongoing and future medical treatment, including surgeries, medication, and assistive devices.
• Lost Wages: This accounts for the income you have already lost and what you are projected to lose in the future because of your inability to work at the same capacity, or at all.
• Rehabilitation Costs: This includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, vocational rehabilitation, and any other services needed to help you regain your skills and independence.

Non-Economic Damages: The Intangible Losses

Some of the most significant losses are not found on a receipt. These damages compensate you for the personal impact of the injury:

• Pain and Suffering: This is compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress you have endured and may continue to endure.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: This addresses the ways your injuries have limited your ability to enjoy daily activities, hobbies, and the simple pleasures of life.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Third-Party Lawsuit?

Many workplace accidents involve more than just the employer. If someone else’s carelessness caused your injury, that party may be financially responsible in a separate personal injury claim.

Common third parties in Bronx workplace injury cases include:

• General Contractors who failed to enforce safety protocols across a multi-employer site
• Subcontractors whose negligence created a dangerous condition
• Property Owners who failed to maintain a safe work environment
• Scaffold or Equipment Companies that provided defective gear or failed to inspect their materials
• Delivery Drivers who caused an accident at a loading dock or jobsite
• Tool or Machinery Manufacturers responsible for defective design or production

Third-party lawsuits are typically the only way to recover full damages—including pain and suffering and future losses—not available through workers’ comp.

The Grave Injury Exception: When You Can Sue Your Employer

New York’s Workers’ Compensation Law generally bars lawsuits against your employer. However, there’s a powerful exception: if your injury qualifies as a “grave injury” under Section 11 of the Workers’ Compensation Law, you may be able to sue your employer directly.

Grave injuries include:

• Permanent loss of use of a limb
• Amputation
• Total blindness or deafness
• Paraplegia or quadriplegia
• Severe brain injury
• Loss of multiple fingers or toes
• Disfigurement

In these cases, your employer may be brought into a lawsuit by another party (like a general contractor) seeking contribution. This might open the door to compensation beyond workers’ comp, including pain and suffering and future loss of earnings.

If you’ve suffered a serious, life-altering injury, we’ll evaluate whether the grave injury exception applies in your case and pursue every available legal avenue.

Where and Why Workplace Accidents Happen in the Bronx

The Bronx is a borough of constant motion, a hub of construction, healthcare, and transportation. While this fuels our economy, it also places workers in environments with significant risks.

Construction: The Most Dangerous Industry

While construction workers make up only about 5% of New York City’s total workforce, they account for 27% of all work-related deaths, according to the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) in its 2023 “Deadly Skyline” report.

The Bronx, in particular, has experienced some of the city’s most dangerous construction conditions:

• NYC Department of Buildings data shows that the Bronx had 147 construction-related incidents and 4 fatalities in one recent year alone.
• The borough is home to a high concentration of non-union construction sites, which NYCOSH has linked to increased injury and death rates.

The leading causes of these accidents are sometimes called the “Fatal Four“:

• Falls from Heights: Falls remain the leading cause of construction fatalities, accounting for over 60% of construction deaths in New York State in one recent year according to the Deadly Skyline report. Inadequate scaffolding and fall protection remain common violations at NYC sites.
• Struck-By-Object Accidents: Construction workers are regularly injured or killed by falling tools, materials, and machinery. These incidents accounted for 15% of workplace fatalities in construction nationwide.
• Electrocutions: Contact with live power lines, faulty wiring, and improperly maintained equipment can have fatal consequences.
• Caught-In/Between: These incidents occur when workers become caught, pinned, or compressed between two or more objects, including machinery, building materials, or structural collapses.

Healthcare and Social Assistance: A Surprising Leader in Injuries

Healthcare is one of the largest employment sectors in the Bronx, particularly due to institutions like BronxCare Health System, Montefiore Medical Center, and St. Barnabas Hospital.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

• Healthcare and social assistance accounted for 18.9% of all private industry injuries in New York State in 2022.
• Nursing assistants had the highest rate of nonfatal occupational injuries among all occupations nationally, driven by lifting, patient transfers, and slip-and-fall incidents.

In the Bronx, overexertion from moving patients, exposure to infectious diseases, and wet floor hazards are common causes of injury. In many cases, these go underreported due to staffing shortages and fear of retaliation.

Warehousing and Transportation: A Growing Area of Risk

The explosion of e-commerce has turned the Bronx into a logistics hub, with a surge in warehousing, delivery, and last-mile distribution centers.

From a recent three-year period:

• Warehouse and storage sector injuries rose by 20% nationally, according to BLS.
• In New York City, transportation incidents caused 48 workplace deaths in one of those years, many involving delivery vehicles and loading docks.

Bronx-based warehouse workers face injury risks from:

• Operating forklifts and pallet jacks
• Lifting heavy packages repetitively
• Slips on loading dock surfaces
• Fatigue-related incidents from long or irregular shifts

Delivery drivers—especially those employed by subcontractors for Amazon, UPS, and FedEx—are also at high risk for traffic accidents and overexertion injuries.

Your Rights After a Workplace Accident

We handle a wide variety of workplace accident cases, each with its own unique circumstances.

Common Types of Workplace Accidents We Handle:

• Construction Accidents: Falls from ladders and scaffolds, crane collapses, machinery malfunctions, and trench cave-ins.
• Warehouse and Factory Accidents: Forklift incidents, conveyor belt injuries, and exposure to hazardous materials.
• Healthcare Worker Injuries: Patient handling injuries, slip and falls, and needle sticks.
• Transportation and Delivery Accidents: Vehicle collisions that occur while an employee is on the clock.

Common Injuries Sustained in Workplace Accidents:

The injuries from these accidents could be severe and life-altering, including:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Often resulting from falls or being struck by falling objects.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: These catastrophic injuries may lead to partial or complete paralysis.
• Fractures and Broken Bones: Common in nearly every type of workplace accident.
• Burns: Caused by fires, explosions, or contact with chemicals or electricity.
• Repetitive Motion Injuries: Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome are common in both manufacturing and office settings.

Key Legal Protections for New York Workers

New York has enacted specific laws to protect workers, particularly in the high-risk construction industry.

• New York Labor Law § 240 (The “Scaffold Law”): This law provides special protection for workers injured in gravity-related accidents, such as falls from heights or injuries from falling objects. It places a standard of “absolute liability” on property owners and general contractors, meaning they would be held responsible for providing adequate safety devices.
• New York Labor Law § 241: This statute requires owners and contractors to ensure that all areas where construction, excavation, or demolition work is being performed are reasonably and adequately protected. It mandates compliance with specific safety rules to safeguard workers.

Union Workers and Your Right to Sue

Being a union member does not prevent you from filing a lawsuit after a workplace injury. Many Bronx construction workers are unionized, and while your union may help you file for workers’ compensation or pursue a grievance, those benefits are separate from your legal right to hold negligent third parties accountable.

If your injury was caused by someone other than your direct employer—such as a general contractor, subcontractor, or equipment provider—you can still file a third-party personal injury claim even while receiving union-negotiated workers’ comp benefits. These claims allow you to pursue compensation for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other damages not covered by workers’ compensation.

We work with union members regularly and respect the collective bargaining process. Our job is to ensure you receive the maximum compensation you’re legally entitled to without interfering with your union rights.

What to Do Immediately After a Workplace Accident

1. Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Get medical help right away, even if you don’t feel seriously hurt. Some injuries, like concussions, have delayed symptoms.
2. Report the Accident: Notify your supervisor about the incident as soon as possible. Make sure a formal report is filed.
3. Document Everything: If you are able to, take pictures of the scene, your injuries, and any equipment involved. Get contact information from any witnesses.
4. Preserve Evidence: Keep any damaged personal items, such as torn clothing or broken safety gear. These items will serve as evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bronx Workplace Accidents

Let Our Experience Be Your Guide

Our legal team at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. has the experience, resources, and dedication to guide you through this difficult time. We will handle the legal complexities and stand up for your rights so you are able to focus on what matters most: your health and your family.

To discuss your case with a knowledgeable Bronx workplace accident lawyer, contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation at (201) 585-9111.

Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C. – Bronx Office

930 Grand Concourse #1a
Bronx, NY 10451

Ph: (646) 933-9630