Gorayeb & Associates warns NYC construction workers on struck-by injury deadlines

After 47 struck-by incidents on New York City job sites in 2024, Gorayeb & Associates is urging injured construction workers to move quickly on legal claims. The firm points to federal and city safety data, plus New York Labor Law deadlines, as pressure points for workers facing gravity-related injuries.

Why it matters: - Struck-by and falling-object incidents remain a major hazard on New York City construction sites and can leave injured workers with limited time to protect legal claims. - New York Labor Law can impose strict liability on property owners and general contractors when required safety measures are missing or inadequate. - Workers can lose key rights if they miss filing deadlines, including a three-year statute of limitations for many Labor Law Section 240 claims.

What happened: - Gorayeb & Associates, P.C. issued public guidance in New York City for injured construction workers. - The firm tied its warning to 2024 federal and city injury data and said workers should act before deadlines expire. - The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 5,070 job-related deaths nationwide in 2024, including 1,032 deaths among construction and extraction workers. - The New York City Department of Buildings reported 638 construction incidents across city job sites in 2024, with 482 injuries, 7 fatalities and 47 struck-by incidents.

The details: - The BLS said fatal falls, slips and trips among construction and extraction workers fell 7.5% to 370 in 2024. - Even with that decline, construction remained among the deadliest sectors in the U.S. - Christopher J. Gorayeb, founding partner of Gorayeb & Associates, said many cases begin with skipped inspections, removed safety nets or rushed rigging work. - Gorayeb said New York Labor Law was designed to hold property owners and general contractors accountable. - Labor Law Section 240(1) covers gravity-related hazards such as unsecured materials, suspended loads and falling equipment. - New York appellate courts have consistently held that owners and general contractors can face strict liability when a worker is struck by a falling object and required protection was absent or inadequate. - Labor Law Section 241(6) creates another path for claims based on specific Industrial Code violations involving overhead protection and material handling at elevation. - The firm said these protections apply regardless of immigration status, union membership or employment classification. - A Labor Law Section 240 claim must generally be filed within three years of the incident. - Accidents involving a city or state agency require a notice of claim within 90 days. - Workers are advised to report the incident in writing to an employer the same day, get immediate medical care, photograph the scene before changes are made and avoid recorded statements to insurance representatives before speaking with an attorney.

Between the lines: - The warning is both a safety reminder and a legal triage message: documentation and timing can shape whether an injured worker has a viable claim. - The data suggests New York City construction remains dangerous even as some fatal categories improved year over year. - The firm is positioning New York Labor Law as the main tool for recovery in struck-by and falling-object cases, especially when site safety failures are involved.

What's next: - Injured workers are expected to continue filing claims under Sections 240(1) and 241(6) where the facts support those theories. - Claims involving public entities will need faster action because of the 90-day notice requirement. - Gorayeb & Associates said free consultations are available at 212-267-2100 or the firm's website.

The bottom line: - In New York construction injury cases, the safest move is fast medical care, fast documentation and fast legal review.