A+ rating on Better Business Bureau•Google reviews: 5.0•Martindale Hubbell Client Rating: 5.0•Lawyers.com Client Rating: 5.0•Avvo Client Rating: 5.0•Facebook Rating 5.0•Best Dog Bite Lawyers – Queens, NY (2025) (Expertise.com)•Best Bicycle Accident Lawyers – Queens, NY (2025) (Expertise.com)•Best Car Accident Lawyers – Middletown, NY (2025) (Expertise.com)•A+ rating on Better Business Bureau•Google reviews: 5.0•Martindale Hubbell Client Rating: 5.0•Lawyers.com Client Rating: 5.0•Avvo Client Rating: 5.0•Facebook Rating 5.0•Best Dog Bite Lawyers – Queens, NY (2025) (Expertise.com)•Best Bicycle Accident Lawyers – Queens, NY (2025) (Expertise.com)•Best Car Accident Lawyers – Middletown, NY (2025) (Expertise.com)

Union Worker Injuries Lawyer in New York

Protecting Union Workers

Your Guide to Union Worker Injury Claims

Union members keep New York moving, from construction sites to municipal projects, industrial plants, and transportation hubs. When a jobsite injury happens, your health, paycheck, and benefits can feel uncertain. The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC helps injured union workers in New York and the Hudson Valley understand their options under workers’ compensation and potential third‑party claims. Our goal is to coordinate the path forward, protect your rights, and pursue accountability from any negligent parties beyond your employer. If you were hurt on a site with multiple contractors or unsafe equipment, timely guidance can make a meaningful difference. Call (845) 986-2777 to discuss your next steps.

Union workers face unique challenges after an injury, including contract obligations, notice requirements, and return‑to‑work issues tied to physical demands. You may have immediate access to union benefits and workers’ compensation, yet still have a separate claim against a property owner, developer, general contractor, or equipment manufacturer. Our firm can help you document the incident, secure medical care, and preserve critical evidence, including photographs, incident reports, and witness information. We also coordinate with your benefits and medical providers to reduce claim bottlenecks and protect your eligibility. If your injury occurred in New York, including the Hudson Valley, reach out to The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC to discuss a clear plan tailored to your situation.

How Legal Guidance Supports Union Families After a Jobsite Injury

After a union jobsite injury, many workers assume workers’ compensation is the only route. In New York, you may also have a third‑party claim for unsafe conditions, faulty equipment, or violations of safety rules by someone other than your employer. Coordinating these paths can improve access to medical care, wage replacement, and damages for pain and suffering where allowed. Early guidance helps you meet deadlines, avoid missteps in recorded statements, and preserve evidence from a changing worksite. Legal support also reduces disruption to your union benefits and protects your return‑to‑work options. The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC helps you move forward with clarity and confidence.

About The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC and Allan J. Ahearne, Jr.

The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC represents injured people throughout New York and the Hudson Valley, with a focus on results that support healing and stability. Led by Allan J. Ahearne, Jr., our team handles personal injury matters involving complex jobsites, multiple contractors, and overlapping insurance coverages. We work closely with clients to document injuries, coordinate benefits, and pursue all viable claims, including actions under New York’s Labor Law and third‑party negligence. Our approach emphasizes communication, careful investigation, and preparation for negotiation or trial where necessary. Whether your case involves a fall, an equipment failure, or a safety lapse, we aim to protect your rights and seek full accountability.

Understanding Union Worker Injury Claims in New York

Most union workers turn first to workers’ compensation for medical care and wage benefits after a jobsite injury. While workers’ compensation generally bars lawsuits against your employer, it does not shield negligent third parties such as property owners, general contractors, subcontractors, or equipment manufacturers. A third‑party claim can seek damages that workers’ compensation does not cover, including pain and suffering and full lost earnings in appropriate cases. Coordinating both paths requires careful documentation, timely medical treatment with authorized providers, and strict attention to notice deadlines. Early investigation is especially important where multiple companies share control of the site and safety practices, creating overlapping responsibilities and insurance coverages.

New York’s Labor Law provides additional protections for workers on construction and renovation sites. Section 240, often called the Scaffold Law, addresses elevation‑related risks involving ladders, scaffolds, hoists, and similar devices. Section 241 addresses specific safety rules for construction, demolition, and excavation work, while Section 200 reflects general duties to maintain a reasonably safe workplace. These laws can place responsibility on owners and general contractors to ensure proper safety devices and procedures are in place. If violations contribute to an injury, you may have a strong third‑party claim alongside workers’ compensation. Prompt evidence collection, photographs, and witness information can be decisive as conditions change quickly on active sites.

Need More Information?

Key Terms and Glossary

Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation is an insurance system that provides medical care and wage benefits to employees injured on the job, regardless of fault. In New York, injured workers must generally treat with authorized providers and comply with reporting deadlines to receive benefits. While workers’ compensation typically prevents lawsuits against your employer, it does not block claims against negligent third parties such as property owners or equipment manufacturers. Benefits may include medical treatment, partial wage replacement, and impairment awards in qualifying cases. Understanding what is covered, how to choose authorized doctors, and how to document work restrictions can improve outcomes and reduce disputes with carriers or administrators.

Third‑Party Claim

A third‑party claim is a separate lawsuit against someone other than your employer whose negligence contributed to your injury, such as a property owner, general contractor, subcontractor, or manufacturer. Unlike workers’ compensation, a third‑party case can pursue broader damages, including pain and suffering in eligible cases. These claims often involve site safety violations, faulty equipment, inadequate fall protection, or poor coordination among multiple companies. Evidence may include photos, incident reports, contracts, safety manuals, and witness accounts. Coordinating this claim with workers’ compensation requires attention to liens and reimbursement rules, which can affect your net recovery. Early investigation helps identify all responsible parties and available insurance.

Scaffold Law (Labor Law 240)

Labor Law 240, commonly called the Scaffold Law, provides special protections for elevation‑related risks during construction and related work. It can hold owners and general contractors responsible for providing adequate safety devices like scaffolds, ladders, hoists, and harnesses. When a failure of these protections contributes to a fall or a falling‑object incident, injured workers may bring a third‑party claim seeking damages beyond workers’ compensation. These cases require careful documentation of site conditions, the task being performed, and the equipment in use. Photographs, coworker statements, and site safety records can be especially important. The law’s protections apply widely across New York worksites where elevation hazards are present.

Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations is the legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. In New York, most personal injury claims must be filed within a set period measured from the date of the accident, with certain exceptions for municipal entities requiring early notices. Missing a deadline can permanently bar your claim, regardless of its strength. Different timelines may apply to workers’ compensation, third‑party lawsuits, and claims against public authorities. Because jobsites change and evidence can disappear, prompt legal action helps preserve your rights and strengthens your case. Understanding the applicable deadlines and notice requirements allows you to plan medical care, return‑to‑work decisions, and settlement strategy with greater confidence.

PRO TIPS

Report and Document Quickly

Report the injury to your supervisor and union representative as soon as possible, following contract and employer procedures so there is no question about when and how the incident occurred. Take or request photographs of the area, equipment, and any safety devices, and keep copies of incident reports, witness names, and medical records to preserve details that can fade as the site changes. Quick documentation helps align workers’ compensation, union benefits, and any third‑party claim, making it easier to prove what happened, show your restrictions, and secure the right medical care while the evidence is still fresh and accessible.

Get Medical Care Immediately

Seek treatment right away with an authorized provider, describe every symptom, and follow your doctor’s recommendations to protect both your health and your claim. Early care creates a clear medical timeline connecting the injury to the job and supports restrictions that can prevent re‑injury when you return to work. Keep all follow‑up appointments, save receipts, and ask for work status notes; consistent records strengthen workers’ compensation, guide modified duty decisions, and support any third‑party case by documenting pain, limitations, and how the injury affects your everyday activities at home and on the job.

Preserve Union Protections

Notify your union promptly, review your collective bargaining agreement, and follow grievance or reporting protocols that may apply after a jobsite injury. Your union can help coordinate benefits, advise on light‑duty assignments, and support accommodations while you heal, ensuring your seniority and rights remain intact. Keep copies of all communications and confirm instructions in writing, because a clear paper trail can reduce disputes with employers, carriers, and site contractors, and it helps align workers’ compensation, return‑to‑work planning, and any third‑party claim under New York Labor Law or other applicable safety rules.

Comparing Your Legal Options

When Full Representation Makes Sense:

Serious Injuries with Long Recoveries

Severe injuries from falls, crush incidents, electrical exposure, or heavy equipment can lead to surgeries, extended therapy, and prolonged time off work. Coordinating workers’ compensation with a third‑party lawsuit can address medical bills, lost wages, and long‑term effects like reduced earning capacity and pain and suffering where permitted. Comprehensive representation also manages liens, insurance negotiations, and future care projections, helping union families plan realistically for recovery while protecting benefits, pensions, and return‑to‑work options under the collective bargaining agreement and New York safety laws.

Multiple Companies on the Site

Large projects often involve owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, and equipment suppliers, each with different roles, contracts, and insurance. When unclear communication or unsafe coordination contributes to an injury, thorough investigation is needed to identify responsibility, preserve evidence, and comply with unique notice requirements for private and municipal entities. Full representation allows you to pursue every viable avenue without missing deadlines, aligning claims with union procedures while preparing for negotiation or trial if safety violations, faulty equipment, or poor oversight caused preventable harm on the job.

When a Limited Approach May Work:

Minor Injuries That Heal Quickly

For minor strains or cuts that resolve with brief treatment and minimal time off, workers’ compensation alone may address medical bills and short wage loss. In these cases, documenting the injury, following medical advice, and keeping your union informed can be enough to protect your benefits and schedule. Even when a limited approach seems appropriate, a brief consultation can confirm you are not overlooking a third‑party claim, especially if unsafe equipment, missing guardrails, or a ladder issue briefly contributed to the incident on a busy site.

Clear Liability with Prompt Payment

If workers’ compensation promptly approves treatment, pays benefits on time, and there is no indication of third‑party negligence, a limited approach may be efficient. Keep detailed records, verify authorized providers, and confirm wage calculations to avoid underpayment or interruptions in care. If circumstances change, such as delayed approvals, new symptoms, or evidence of a safety lapse by a non‑employer, you can reassess and explore broader options, including third‑party liability under New York Labor Law for elevation hazards or other site‑specific violations that come to light.

Common Situations for Union Worker Injury Claims

Falls from Ladders or Scaffolds

Falls often involve missing guardrails, unstable bases, improper tie‑offs, or defective planks, and they can occur during routine tasks like framing, masonry, or ceiling work where elevation risks are easily overlooked. Under New York’s Labor Law, owners and general contractors must ensure adequate safety devices for elevation work, so prompt photographs, coworker statements, and documentation of the equipment’s condition can support a third‑party claim in addition to workers’ compensation and help demonstrate how a preventable failure at the site contributed to the injury.

Struck‑By or Caught‑In Incidents

Material handling, crane picks, and moving equipment can create hazards when loads are not secured, communication breaks down, or barricades are missing around active zones. Investigations often focus on site logistics, spotter assignments, and equipment maintenance records, and if a non‑employer’s conduct or defective machinery played a role, a third‑party claim may recover damages not available through workers’ compensation while reinforcing safer practices for everyone working on the project.

Electrical, Trenching, and Structural Hazards

Exposures to live power, unstable trenches, or compromised structures can cause life‑changing injuries that require fast coordination among medical providers, union representatives, and investigators. Where responsibility lies with owners, general contractors, specialized subcontractors, or outside vendors, a third‑party case can hold them accountable, aligning with workers’ compensation to address medical costs, wage loss, and long‑term effects while encouraging safer planning and compliance with New York’s safety requirements across similar worksites.

New York Union Worker Injuries Attorney

Why Hire The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC for Union Worker Injuries

We focus on protecting injured union workers and their families across New York and the Hudson Valley by coordinating workers’ compensation, union benefits, and third‑party claims. Our team investigates site conditions, secures photos and witness statements, and works with medical providers to build a complete picture of your injuries and restrictions. We understand how collective bargaining agreements intersect with return‑to‑work decisions and modified duty assignments. From initial notice through negotiation or trial, we communicate clearly and craft strategies aimed at maximizing recovery while preserving your benefits and eligibility. If you have questions, call (845) 986-2777 to talk about the steps that fit your situation.

Every jobsite and injury is different, and we tailor our approach to the specific hazards, contracts, and insurance coverages involved. We evaluate whether New York Labor Law applies, identify all responsible parties, and manage lien and reimbursement issues that can affect your final recovery. Our objective is straightforward: secure the care, income protection, and accountability you deserve while minimizing disruption to your life and work. If negotiations do not reflect the full impact of your injury, we are prepared to continue pressing your case. Reach out to The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC for guidance grounded in local knowledge of New York worksites.

Call for a Free Case Review

People Also Search For

union worker injury lawyer New York

New York scaffold law attorney

construction accident lawyer Hudson Valley

third‑party construction claim NY

workers’ compensation union benefits

ladder and scaffold fall claim

Labor Law 240 241 attorney

jobsite injury lawyer New York

FAQS

What should I do immediately after a union jobsite injury in New York?

Report the injury right away to your supervisor and union representative, follow incident procedures, and ask for copies of the report. Seek medical attention promptly with an authorized provider, describe all symptoms, and request a written work status note. Take photos or ask a coworker to capture the area, equipment, and any safety devices before conditions change. Save names and contact information for witnesses. Keep your boots, harness, or damaged gear if relevant, and avoid making recorded statements to insurers until you understand your options. Contact The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC to coordinate workers’ compensation and evaluate any third‑party claim against non‑employer parties, such as owners, general contractors, subcontractors, or manufacturers. We can help preserve evidence, meet notice deadlines, and align your medical care with claim requirements. Our team will review New York’s Labor Law protections, assess site safety issues, and look for additional insurance coverage. Early guidance can reduce disputes and help ensure benefits and potential damages are protected while you focus on recovery and return‑to‑work planning.

How do workers’ compensation and a third‑party claim differ for union workers?

Workers’ compensation covers medical treatment and part of your lost wages regardless of fault, but it generally prevents suing your employer. A third‑party claim is a separate lawsuit against a negligent non‑employer, like a property owner, general contractor, subcontractor, or equipment manufacturer. These claims can seek damages workers’ compensation does not provide, including pain and suffering where permitted. Both paths can proceed together, but each has different deadlines, evidence needs, and rules. The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC helps coordinate both claims so they support, rather than undermine, each other. We address medical documentation, work restrictions, and the timing of benefits, while managing liens or reimbursement obligations that can arise from a third‑party recovery. Our approach identifies all potentially responsible parties and insurance policies, and we take steps to preserve photographs, site records, and witness statements. This coordination aims to maximize your overall outcome and protect your union benefits and return‑to‑work options.

Do union benefits change how my injury claim works?

Union membership often provides important support after an injury, including advice on reporting procedures, help with modified duty, and guidance regarding contract rights. These benefits generally work alongside workers’ compensation and any third‑party claim. Your union can help you maintain seniority, access approved providers, and secure reasonable accommodations consistent with your work restrictions. Clear communication helps avoid misunderstandings about your status while you heal. Legal claims still follow New York law and insurance rules, so aligning union procedures with workers’ compensation and any third‑party case is important. The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC works with union representatives when appropriate to keep your benefits intact and reduce friction with employers or carriers. We document your injuries, track restrictions, and handle evidence gathering so you can focus on recovery. Our goal is to protect your rights while supporting a safe and sustainable return to work when your medical team says you are ready.

What is New York’s Scaffold Law and when does it apply?

New York’s Scaffold Law, known as Labor Law 240, focuses on elevation‑related hazards involving ladders, scaffolds, hoists, and similar devices used in construction and related work. It places responsibility on owners and general contractors to provide proper safety devices. When a failure contributes to a fall or a falling‑object incident, injured workers may pursue a third‑party claim seeking damages beyond workers’ compensation. Evidence of site conditions, work tasks, and safety equipment is critical. If you were hurt in a ladder or scaffold incident, prompt investigation helps preserve photos, witness accounts, and safety records. The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC assesses whether Labor Law 240 applies, along with related statutes like Labor Law 241 and Section 200. We examine contracts, safety manuals, and inspection logs to identify responsible parties and insurance coverage. By coordinating these issues with your medical care and workers’ compensation, we work to protect benefits and pursue the full scope of damages the law allows.

Who can be held responsible besides my employer after a jobsite injury?

Beyond your employer, responsibility can fall on property owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, site managers, and equipment or materials manufacturers. Liability may arise from inadequate fall protection, poor coordination, unsafe sequencing of trades, or defective machinery. Each party’s role is usually defined by contracts, safety plans, and industry standards, and multiple insurers can be involved. We investigate the web of relationships that define control over the site, the work, and safety. The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC collects site records, photographs, maintenance logs, and witness statements to map out how the incident occurred and who had authority to prevent it. We evaluate whether New York Labor Law provisions apply and identify any municipal notice requirements. This approach helps ensure that every responsible party is held to account so you can seek complete and fair compensation under the law.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit for a union worker injury in New York?

Deadlines depend on the type of claim and the parties involved. Workers’ compensation has its own reporting and filing timelines, while third‑party lawsuits generally must be filed within a set period measured from the date of the accident. Claims against municipal or public entities often require a Notice of Claim very soon after the incident, so delay can pose real risk. Because jobsites evolve quickly, evidence preservation should begin immediately. The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC can determine which deadlines apply to your situation and take steps to protect your rights. We promptly gather photographs, witness accounts, and site records before conditions change. We also coordinate medical documentation to establish a clear link between the incident and your injuries. By managing timeline requirements for all claims, we help avoid procedural pitfalls and keep your case on track for negotiation or litigation when needed.

What compensation can a third‑party lawsuit provide beyond workers’ compensation?

Workers’ compensation pays for medical care and a portion of wage loss, but it does not include certain damages. A third‑party lawsuit may allow recovery for pain and suffering, full lost earnings, diminished earning capacity, and other losses, depending on the facts and the law. This can be important when injuries are severe, recovery is prolonged, or the injury limits your ability to return to your prior trade or hours. Our firm evaluates the full impact of your injury, including how pain, limitations, and medical restrictions affect your daily life and work. The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC identifies responsible non‑employer parties and available insurance coverage, analyzes New York Labor Law protections, and prepares the evidence needed to support broader damages. We manage liens and reimbursement issues that can affect your net recovery, aiming to maximize the outcome across both workers’ compensation and third‑party claims.

Will filing a claim affect my union membership or seniority?

Filing workers’ compensation or a third‑party claim does not by itself jeopardize union membership or seniority. Union contracts typically include procedures for reporting injuries, pursuing benefits, and seeking modified duty when appropriate. Staying in close contact with your union and employer about work restrictions and scheduling helps protect your position while you heal. We coordinate with union representatives where appropriate to align claim activity with your collective bargaining agreement. The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC focuses on clear documentation and communication so benefits, scheduling, and return‑to‑work decisions are supported by medical evidence. Our goal is to reduce friction, keep you informed, and help you make decisions that protect both your health and your career in the trades.

How are attorney fees usually handled in union worker injury cases?

Personal injury and third‑party construction cases are commonly handled on a contingency fee, where attorney fees are collected from a settlement or verdict. You typically do not pay an attorney fee unless there is a recovery, though you may remain responsible for certain case expenses. Workers’ compensation matters follow different fee rules set by law and subject to approval. We explain fee structures clearly at the start so there are no surprises. The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC will outline how costs are managed, how liens or reimbursements may affect the final distribution, and how workers’ compensation interacts with a third‑party recovery. Transparency helps you plan for medical care, lost income, and family needs while we pursue your case.

How can The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC help after a serious union jobsite injury?

We investigate the incident, secure photos and witness statements, review safety plans, and identify all parties who may share responsibility. Our team coordinates your medical care documentation, aligns workers’ compensation with any third‑party claim, and preserves evidence before site conditions change. We evaluate New York Labor Law issues, analyze insurance coverage, and prepare your case for negotiation or trial when necessary. Throughout the process, we keep you informed and work to reduce stress so you can focus on healing. The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC tailors strategies to your trade, restrictions, and return‑to‑work goals, seeking full accountability and fair compensation. If you or a family member suffered a serious injury on a New York jobsite, call (845) 986-2777 to discuss a plan that protects your rights and supports your recovery.