$4 Million Settlement for Queens Construction Worker After 18-Foot Fall

Our client, a hardworking Queens construction professional and devoted family man, suffered devastating injuries after falling 18 feet from a ladder while installing siding on a home in Mount Vernon, New York. The accident happened at a job where the client's employer had been hired to build a single-family home.

At the time of the incident, the injured worker had been provided with an old ladder that was not in good condition. While using both hands to press siding into place, the ladder suddenly slid out from underneath our client.

Shockingly, he had not been given any fall protection — no harness, no lifeline, and no alternative safe equipment. He was expected to work at dangerous heights without the basic safety measures that are standard in the construction industry and required under Queens safety regulations.

This unfortunate event highlights a concerning issue that our construction accident lawyers often encounter: employers failing to provide their workers with the proper tools and protections needed to perform their jobs safely.

Determining Fault for the Accident

The condition of the ladder — worn and unsafe — combined with the complete absence of fall protection or any meaningful safety measures made it clear that our client's rights under New York Labor Law Section 240 (the "Scaffold Law") and the Industrial Code had been violated. These protections are particularly important in Queens, where construction work is abundant and worker safety must be prioritized.

Through meticulous investigation, strategic discovery, and careful legal preparation, our construction accident attorneys were able to secure summary judgment in our client's favor. This significant legal victory meant the court found the defendants 100% responsible for the accident — a powerful result that holds them fully accountable for their safety failures.

Proving Damages

As a result of the accident, our client suffered serious injuries including facial fractures requiring surgery, teeth fractures requiring extraction, lumbar herniated disc with spinal stenosis requiring spinal surgery and epidural injections, as well as other injuries requiring lifetime care and treatment.

To fully demonstrate the extent of these damages, our Queens construction accident lawyers assembled a team of highly qualified experts — including medical specialists from leading Queens medical institutions, a life care planner, and an economist — to provide a comprehensive picture of the long-term impact this accident would have on his health, earning capacity, and quality of life.

Our lead trial attorney, James McCrorie, Esq., meticulously prepared the case for trial. All expert witnesses were ready to testify, and jury selection was scheduled to begin. However, just before trial, a mediation session was held — and thanks to Mr. McCrorie's thorough preparation and strategic advocacy, the case was successfully settled for $4 million.

The result was truly life-changing for our Queens client. He and his family expressed deep appreciation for the care, commitment, and relentless effort our construction accident legal team at Oresky & Associates put into the case — and they were thrilled with the outcome that will help secure their future.