Suffered Burns on a New York Construction Site? These Injuries Deserve Full Compensation
Burned in an electrical accident, fire, or explosion at a NY construction site? Labor Law §241(6) may apply. Free consultation with our attorneys.
Burns from construction site electrical accidents, fires, and explosions cause some of the most painful and disfiguring injuries imaginable. Reconstruction, lost income, and psychological treatment costs can span years.
New York workers injured in burn injuries situations have access to some of the strongest legal protections in the country. Under §241(6), property owners and general contractors may be held strictly or vicariously liable without proving they were careless. This is not an accident — the Legislature designed these laws specifically to protect the state's construction workers.
What Causes Burn Injuries at New York Job Sites
- Contact with unguarded electrical conductors
- Welding or cutting operations near flammable materials
- Gas line rupture during excavation or demolition
- Flash fire from improper storage of flammable liquids
- Steam pipe rupture on renovation projects
- Explosion from accumulated gases in enclosed spaces
Common Injuries in Burn Injuries Accidents
- Second and third degree burns requiring skin grafting
- Inhalation injury from smoke and hot gases
- Disfigurement requiring multiple reconstructive surgeries
- Eye injuries from flash burns
- Permanent scarring affecting mobility and appearance
- Psychological trauma including PTSD and depression
The Law Behind Burn Injuries Claims in New York
Labor Law §241(6) covers burn injuries through two primary Industrial Code sections. Section 12 NYCRR 23-1.13 governs electrical hazards and requires that energized conductors be guarded against accidental contact — violations here support claims for electrical burns. Section 23-1.25 covers welding, cutting, and heating operations and requires fire prevention measures, proper ventilation, and the removal of flammable materials from the work area. Because §241(6) allows comparative fault, the defense will attempt to show the worker deviated from safe practices — a fact-intensive inquiry that requires experienced trial counsel to counter effectively.
This creates liability when a specific Industrial Code section is violated and that violation causes injury. Unlike §240, §241(6) requires proof of a specific rule violation — but once established, the property owner and GC are vicariously liable.
Industrial Code 12 NYCRR 23-1.13 sets specific construction standards that directly apply to burn injuries situations. 12 NYCRR 23-1.13, 12 NYCRR 23-1.25 — violations of these rules are the predicate for a §241(6) claim alongside or instead of a §240 claim.
OSHA standards (29 CFR 1926.352, 29 CFR 1926.400) are also relevant. An OSHA citation or inspection report following your accident can be powerful evidence of the property owner's or GC's failure to maintain a safe worksite.
Labor Law
- §241(6)
Industrial Code
- 12 NYCRR 23-1.13
- 12 NYCRR 23-1.25
OSHA Standards
- 29 CFR 1926.352
- 29 CFR 1926.400
What Are Burn Injuries Cases Worth in New York?
Typical Low End
$300,000
Serious/Permanent Injury
$5,000,000+
New York burn injuries settlements typically range from $300,000 to $5,000,000+. The wide range reflects real differences in outcomes: a worker who suffers a broken wrist and returns to work in three months is in a very different position than a worker with a spinal cord injury who cannot return to any employment.
Key factors in your case value include the severity and permanence of your injuries, your pre-injury earning history (construction trades typically earn $60,000–$120,000/year or more, compounding lost wage damages), the number and financial strength of defendants, and any Workers' Compensation offset.
Do not accept an early settlement offer without consulting a lawyer. Insurance adjusters' first offers are calculated to minimize payout. A §240 claim with a permanent injury is worth multiple times what an adjuster's early offer reflects.
How to Protect Your Burn Injuries Case
Preserve physical evidence
Photograph the scene, equipment, and conditions before the property owner or GC modifies anything. Physical evidence is the foundation of a §240 or §241(6) claim.
Secure all incident documentation
Obtain the incident report, OSHA records, and any site safety logs from the day of your accident.
Identify all potentially liable parties
The property owner, general contractor, equipment manufacturer, and others may all face liability. Your attorney will conduct a full investigation to name all responsible parties.
Get comprehensive medical evaluation
Injuries from construction accidents are frequently more severe than initial emergency evaluations indicate. Specialist records maximize your damages recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hurt in a Burn Injuries Accident in New York?
Call (888) 702-1581 for a free case review. We handle §241(6) claims throughout New York state. No fee unless we win.