Work Accidents

Work Accident Attorney in New York

Third-Party Personal Injury Claims for Injured Workers Across All Five Boroughs

When a work accident leaves you seriously hurt, the gap between what workers’ comp pays and what your injuries actually cost can be enormous. Workers’ comp covers medical bills and partial lost wages. It doesn’t cover pain and suffering, full lost earnings, or the lasting impact a catastrophic injury has on your life. At Godosky & Gentile, we pursue third-party personal injury and wrongful death claims on behalf of injured New Yorkers, targeting the contractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, and other negligent parties whose conduct contributed to the accident.

We’ve represented injured workers since 1995. Our trial lawyers bring over a century of combined litigation experience to every case, and our standing in New York’s legal community runs deep: lawyers and judges across the state have turned to us for their own legal representation. That level of peer trust reflects how seriously we prepare and litigate the cases we take on. Our firm holds Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent ratings and has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers.

If you were hurt at work and believe a third party may be responsible, we’re available 24/7 for a free consultation. There are no legal fees unless we obtain a verdict or settlement on your behalf. Call Godosky & Gentile today at (212) 742-9706.

Work Accident Cases We Handle in New York

Third-party liability can arise across a wide range of industries and accident types. Our firm handles claims involving:

Construction Site Accidents
Falls from heights, scaffold and ladder accidents, falling object injuries, crane accidents, heavy equipment injuries, electrocution, and trench or structural collapses are among the most serious work accidents in New York. Labor Law Sections 240(1) and 241(6) impose direct liability on property owners and general contractors for many of these incidents, regardless of how fault is distributed among other parties on the site.

Industrial & Warehouse Accidents
Machinery malfunctions, inadequate machine guarding, forklift accidents, and unsafe storage conditions can all create third-party liability when a manufacturer, maintenance contractor, or property owner contributed to the hazard.

Vehicle & Transportation Accidents at Work
Delivery drivers, construction vehicle operators, and others injured in on-the-job vehicle accidents may have claims against negligent third-party drivers, vehicle manufacturers, or other responsible parties.

Premises Liability
Chemical exposure, asbestos, and unsafe work environments controlled by a non-employer third party can form the basis of a civil claim separate from any workers’ compensation remedy.

Workers’ Comp vs. a Third-Party Lawsuit: Understanding Your Options

New York requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance, which provides medical benefits and partial wage replacement when you’re hurt on the job. Workers’ comp is a no-fault system, meaning you don’t have to prove anyone was negligent to receive those benefits. The tradeoff is that it doesn’t cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, or your full lost earning capacity.

A third-party personal injury lawsuit is a civil claim brought against a party other than your employer: a general contractor, property owner, subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or outside vendor whose negligence contributed to your injury. This type of claim can run alongside a workers’ compensation claim and opens the door to a broader range of damages, including pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and damages related to permanent disability.

New York Labor Law Protections for Construction Workers

New York Labor Law Section 240(1), known as the Scaffold Law, holds property owners and general contractors strictly liable for elevation-related injuries on construction sites. Section 241(6) extends liability to violations of specific safety regulations set out in the New York State Industrial Code. These statutes give injured construction workers powerful legal tools that don’t exist in most other states.

Statute of Limitations for Work Injury Claims

New York’s general statute of limitations for a third-party personal injury claim is three years from the date of the accident. If a government entity owns the property or employs someone who contributed to the incident, notice of claim requirements and shorter deadlines may apply. Consulting an attorney promptly can help protect both your legal rights and the evidence that supports your case.

Why Injured Workers in New York Choose Godosky & Gentile

Work accident cases involving third-party defendants are complex. They often require forensic investigation, expert testimony on site safety standards, review of subcontractor agreements, and a willingness to go to trial when insurers undervalue a claim. That’s exactly how we approach this work.

Our team includes a former judge and trial lawyers who have litigated high-stakes personal injury cases across New York for decades. We treat every work accident claim as trial-ready from day one, building the evidentiary record that supports strong settlement positions and, when necessary, favorable verdicts. Godosky & Gentile has been recognized as one of the Best Law Firms by U.S. News & World Report in both 2022 and 2024.

Our reputation extends beyond client results. Attorneys and judges throughout New York have trusted us for their own legal representation, a reflection of the standing we’ve built through decades of serious litigation. When New York’s legal community turns to us for matters that affect their own careers, that’s a meaningful signal of how we perform when the stakes are high.

We represent injured workers on a contingency fee basis. No upfront costs, and no fees unless we obtain a verdict or settlement on your behalf.

Injuries & Damages in a New York Work Accident Claim

Third-party work accident claims typically involve serious physical harm. The injuries we see in these cases include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, crush injuries, fractures, amputations, burn injuries, internal organ damage, nerve damage, and permanent disability. These aren’t injuries that resolve in a few weeks. They reshape lives.

In a third-party personal injury claim, recoverable damages go well beyond what workers’ compensation provides. A successful claim may seek compensation for:

Medical Expenses
Past and future costs of treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term care directly tied to the injury.

Lost Wages & Earning Capacity
Full lost income during recovery and, where the injury affects your ability to work long-term, compensation for diminished future earning capacity.

Pain & Suffering
Unlike workers’ comp, a third-party lawsuit imposes no cap on pain and suffering recovery. Damages can reflect the full human cost of the injury.

Emotional Distress & Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Serious injuries affect more than physical function. These damages account for the psychological impact and the activities and experiences the injury takes away.

Wrongful Death Damages
When a work accident is fatal, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim to recover funeral expenses, lost financial support, and damages related to their loss.

Why Choose Godosky & Gentile?

Comprehensive Legal Support
From initial consultation to final resolution, delivering top-tier representation with skill, diligence, and a results-driven approach.
Recognized Expertise
Respected trial attorneys with a reputation for winning complex cases through precision, strategy, and an unwavering pursuit of justice.
Client-Centered Advocacy
Fiercely committed to securing justice and maximum compensation—because every client deserves a powerful voice in the legal system.
Decades of Proven Results
A legacy of success in high-stakes personal injury and catastrophic accident cases, built on relentless advocacy and exceptional legal strategy.

How Godosky & Gentile Handles Your Work Accident Case

From the moment you contact us, we take responsibility for building your case. We investigate how the accident happened, identify every party whose negligence contributed to it, and gather the evidence needed to support your claim: incident reports, witness statements, site safety records, contracts between general contractors and subcontractors, photographs, and your complete medical history related to the injury.

We handle all communication with insurance companies and defense lawyers so you can focus on your recovery. Our team serves clients across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, and throughout New York State. Whether your case resolves through negotiated settlement or requires a trial, we prepare it the same way: thoroughly and with full anticipation of litigation.

Talk to a New York Work Injury Lawyer Today

A work accident can upend your income, your health, and your family’s stability. You may have more legal options than you realize, and a free conversation with our team costs you nothing.

Call Godosky & Gentile at (212) 742-9706 any time, day or night. Consultations are free, and we don’t collect legal fees unless we obtain a verdict or settlement for you.

Steps to Take After a Work Accident in New York

What you do in the hours and days after a work accident can directly affect the strength of a third-party personal injury claim. These steps can help protect both your health and your legal options.

Get medical attention immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, a prompt medical evaluation creates a record connecting the accident to your injuries. Gaps in treatment give insurers grounds to dispute your claim.
Report the accident to your employer. Under New York law, workers must notify their employer within 30 days of an injury for workers’ compensation purposes. Reporting promptly also creates an official record of the incident.
Document the scene. If you’re able, photograph the area where the accident occurred, the equipment involved, and any visible hazardous conditions. Collect names and contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident.
Don’t give a recorded statement to any insurer. Insurance adjusters work to minimize claim payouts. A recorded statement made before you’ve consulted an attorney can be used to undercut your case.
Contact a work accident attorney promptly. New York’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims can be shorter in certain circumstances, particularly when a government entity is involved. Early investigation can help preserve critical evidence before it disappears.
Understand that a third-party claim is separate from workers’ comp. Pursuing a civil lawsuit against a negligent third party doesn’t interfere with your workers’ compensation claim. An attorney can evaluate whether both remedies are available to you.

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