New York City Falling Object Injury Lawyer

Objects fall from buildings, scaffolding, and construction sites across New York City every day. When one of them strikes a person, the injuries are rarely minor. Skull fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, and broken bones are common outcomes of even moderate-weight objects dropped from height. If you were hurt this way, you need a New York City falling object injury lawyer who understands both the construction industry’s legal obligations and the city-specific rules that govern liability for these cases. Cohan Law Firm has recovered over $100 million for accident victims across NYC, and falling object cases are among the most serious claims we handle.

Why Falling Object Cases in NYC Carry Distinctive Legal Weight

New York Labor Law is unusually protective of people injured by falling objects. Sections 240 and 241(6) of the Labor Law impose what courts call “absolute liability” on property owners and general contractors when workers are struck by unsecured objects at a construction site. That means the owner or contractor cannot escape responsibility by blaming a worker’s own conduct. If the required safety protections were absent and an object fell, liability attaches.

For workers, this is significant. A laborer hit by a dropped tool, a falling pipe, or an unsecured load does not have to prove the contractor was careless in the ordinary sense. The failure to provide proper overhead protection or to secure materials against falling is enough.

Bystanders and passersby carry a different but equally valid set of claims. Someone walking on a Manhattan sidewalk who is struck by debris from a scaffolded building above can pursue the property owner and potentially the general contractor, the scaffolding company, or the subcontractor responsible for the work area. In this city, where sidewalk sheds and active construction zones sit beside every block in certain neighborhoods, these accidents are not rare.

What matters legally is establishing who controlled the worksite, who was responsible for securing materials, and whether the applicable safety codes were followed. Those answers require careful investigation, not just a police report and a photograph.

The Real Injuries, and What Recovery Actually Involves

A falling object does not need to be large to cause catastrophic harm. A single brick dropped from the fourth floor hits the ground with force that would shatter bone on contact. Scaffolding lumber, unsecured tools, bags of concrete, ceiling materials during interior demolition, and glass from upper-floor windows have all been the source of serious injury claims in New York City.

Traumatic brain injury is a central concern. Even with a hard hat, the rotational force from an impact can cause diffuse axonal injury, which does not always show on an initial scan but produces lasting cognitive and behavioral changes. Victims sometimes spend weeks or months recovering before the full extent of their neurological damage becomes clear.

Cervical and lumbar spine injuries are also common, especially when someone is struck on the shoulder or upper back and the force transmits downward. Surgery, physical therapy, and potential permanent disability are all on the table in moderate-to-severe cases.

Damages in these cases extend well beyond the initial medical bills. Lost wages during recovery, loss of future earning capacity, the cost of long-term rehabilitation, and compensation for chronic pain and diminished quality of life all factor into what a properly documented claim can recover. Cohan Law Firm works with medical and vocational experts to build a picture of what the injury costs the client over time, not just what the emergency room charged on day one.

Who Gets Sued, and Why It Often Involves More Than One Party

Falling object cases in New York City routinely involve multiple liable parties because the chain of responsibility at a construction or renovation site spans several layers. The property owner has duties. The general contractor has duties. The subcontractor whose crew was working in the area where the object fell may have direct fault. The company that erected the sidewalk shed may bear liability if it failed to install proper overhead protection panels. A manufacturer may be responsible if a bracket or fastener failed due to a design defect.

In non-construction contexts, building owners can be liable when falling facades, overhead signs, loose masonry, or improperly mounted fixtures injure people below. New York City requires periodic facade inspections for taller buildings, and failures to maintain or repair known hazards are a direct source of owner liability.

Sorting through who bears responsibility is part of what an attorney in this space actually does. Insurance carriers for each party will dispute fault among themselves, often attempting to minimize the payout to the injured person by pointing fingers sideways. Having counsel that understands how to name the right defendants and hold multiple parties accountable simultaneously is what prevents that strategy from working.

Questions We Hear From Falling Object Injury Victims

I was a construction worker. Can I sue if workers’ compensation applies to my injury?

Workers’ compensation provides wage replacement and medical coverage, but it does not bar a separate personal injury lawsuit against a property owner or general contractor under New York’s Labor Law. In fact, falling object cases are one of the most common situations where a worker has both a workers’ comp claim and a viable third-party lawsuit. Those claims run parallel, not in conflict.

The falling object hit me on the street outside a building. Who do I claim against?

Liability typically runs to the property owner, and potentially the general contractor or any subcontractor overseeing work in the area where the object originated. If a sidewalk shed was involved, the company that erected it may also bear responsibility for failing to properly enclose the overhead work zone. An investigation of the site, permits, and contractor records will identify who had legal control over the area.

Does it matter that I was not wearing a hard hat as a pedestrian?

Pedestrians have no obligation to wear protective gear on public sidewalks. Comparative fault arguments occasionally arise in these cases, but the duty to prevent objects from falling onto occupied sidewalks rests entirely with the party controlling the overhead work or the building facade, not the person walking below.

How long do I have to file a claim in New York?

The general statute of limitations for personal injury in New York is three years from the date of the injury. However, if a government entity owns the property or is responsible for the site, a notice of claim may be required within 90 days, and different deadlines apply. Missing these windows can eliminate a valid claim entirely, which is why early consultation matters.

What if I was not injured immediately but developed symptoms days later?

This is common with traumatic brain injuries and soft tissue damage. You should seek medical evaluation as soon as symptoms appear, even if you were not taken to an emergency room at the scene. Document everything and notify the relevant parties about the incident. A delay in symptoms does not disqualify a claim, but a delay in medical treatment can complicate it.

What kinds of evidence are important in these cases?

Site photographs, surveillance footage from nearby cameras, OSHA incident reports, building inspection records, contractor agreements, witness statements, and the victim’s own medical records are all central. Acting quickly to preserve surveillance footage is particularly important because it is often overwritten within days. An attorney can send preservation letters and pursue legal process to secure footage before it disappears.

Does Cohan Law Firm handle cases outside Manhattan?

Yes. Cohan Law Firm represents injury victims throughout all five boroughs, including Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island, as well as Long Island. Falling object incidents occur across every part of the city wherever construction, renovation, or aging building stock exists.

Talk to a Falling Object Injury Attorney Serving All Five Boroughs

Cohan Law Firm operates on a no-win, no-fee basis. There is no cost to consult with us and no fee unless your case results in a recovery. We represent clients in English and Spanish. Our team keeps clients informed throughout the process rather than leaving them to wonder what is happening with their case. If you were struck by a falling object anywhere in New York City and are dealing with serious injuries, mounting bills, and time away from work, contact Cohan Law Firm for a free and confidential consultation with a falling object injury attorney who knows this area of law and this city’s construction industry well.