John Richmond, Co-Founder and CEO
- June 16, 2025
In recent years, construction workers in Rochester have been busy improving bridges, enhancing pedestrian safety, expanding businesses, and revitalizing downtown. Business development projects have sprung up throughout the city as its population grows. In 2023, the Rochester metropolitan area was the nation’s third fastest growing construction job market, with significant increases in construction of schools, health care facilities, and multifamily homes.
However, the increase in construction work also means a potential increase in worker injuries. Construction is one of the most dangerous occupations in New York, as workers frequently use heavy machinery and power tools in high places like rooftops and scaffolding. Workers face a constant risk of serious injury from falls, electrocution, being struck by objects, and being crushed by machinery.
If you or a loved one has been injured in such an incident, working with an experienced Rochester construction accident lawyer is key for pursuing justice, compensation, and healing. At Richmond Vona, LLC, our Rochester injury attorneys will investigate your accident, build a facts-based claim on your behalf, and aggressively pursue the financial support you need to get back on your feet.
- Why Choose Richmond Vona for Your New York Construction Accident Case?
- Construction Accident Cases We Handle in Rochester
- Relevant Construction Laws in New York That Can Impact Your Case
- Compensation You Could Receive From a Construction Accident Case
- A Rochester Construction Accident Attorney Can Determine Who Is Liable
- Time Limits for Filing a Construction Accident Lawsuit in Rochester
- Schedule a Free Consultation with a Rochester Construction Accident Attorney
Why Choose Richmond Vona for Your New York Construction Accident Case?
At Richmond Vona, our attorneys are compassionate and aggressive advocates for injury victims, boasting decades of combined experience and over $200 million in successful case results. We aren’t your typical law firm–we think outside the box and use advanced technology to get the best outcomes possible. We also know the Rochester area well–as Western New York natives, we’ve spent our lives in this community and our careers supporting our neighbors.
When you work with Richmond Vona, we will assign a dedicated team of three to four people to your case, take the time to get to know you, and provide an open line of communication to address your questions and concerns. Our approach has earned our Rochester attorneys numerous awards and accolades, including:
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability
- Super Lawyers
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- Top 40 Under 40
- Fellowship in the Litigation Counsel of America
We Understand the Challenges of Construction Work
When choosing a Rochester construction injury attorney, look for one with in-depth knowledge about the construction industry. Your attorney should be familiar with construction equipment, parties typically involved in construction accident cases, and how these accidents occur.
Born and raised in Greece, a Rochester suburb, co-founding partner John E. Richmond has spent significant time on local construction sites alongside his father, who owned a masonry business. He knows what to look for when determining fault in construction accident cases.
Richmond Vona attorney Michael T. Szczygiel is also a noted construction accident lawyer in Rochester. He has secured multiple multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for injured construction workers in the area, including:
Construction Accident Cases We Handle in Rochester
No matter how your construction accident happened, you can count on our knowledgeable construction accident lawyers in Rochester to fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve. We handle all types of construction accidents, including those involving:
- Slip and falls
- Electrocutions
- Caught-between incidents
- Struck-by incidents
- Scaffolding collapses
- Crane collapses
- Building collapses
- Power tool injuries
- Heavy machinery injuries
- Transportation incidents
- Forklift accidents
- Faulty safety equipment
- Safety violations
- Asbestos exposure
We have secured high-value compensation for clients suffering from many kinds of construction accident injuries, including back injuries, neck injuries, shoulder injuries, muscle strains, occupational illnesses, broken bones, crush injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and more.
Relevant Construction Laws in New York That Can Impact Your Case
New York has several labor laws in place to protect workers from harm at the workplace. Labor Law 200 and Labor Law 240 both aim to protect construction workers and give them legal recourse if their employer does not follow necessary practices on the job site.
Labor 200
Labor Law 200 makes property owners and contractors responsible for providing a safe place to work. They must ensure each job site is constructed, equipped, and operated in a way that provides reasonable protection for workers. The law also requires all machinery and equipment to be placed, operated, guarded, and lighted in a way that protects workers.
Labor 240
Labor Law 240, also known as the “Scaffold Law,” imposes more specific responsibilities for worker safety on property owners and contractors at construction sites. The Scaffold Law provides regulations to prevent workers from falling from heights or being struck by falling objects. If a worker is injured in one of these ways and the property owner or general contractor on site is found to have violated Labor Law 240, the worker has the legal right to sue.
Compensation You Could Receive From a Construction Accident Case
Being injured in a construction accident in Rochester could leave you with chronic pain and serious injuries. We will work to ensure you receive full compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.
- Economic damages compensate for your financial losses, including medical bills, lost wages, lowered earning capacity, and the value of services you can no longer perform, such as housekeeping and child care.
- Non-economic damages compensate for your intangible losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Though you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits for your construction accident injuries, they do not cover non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Workers’ compensation benefits are only designed to compensate workers for medical bills and some lost wages. To maximize your compensation, you may be able to file a lawsuit against construction site owners, third-party contractors, product manufacturers, and anyone else whose negligence contributed to your injuries.
We are ready to help you build the strongest case, no matter the circumstances. With deep roots in Rochester and western New York, our attorneys know the best health care providers in the region. We can connect you with doctors to provide advanced care and thoroughly document your injuries.
Compensation If a Loved One Was Killed in a Construction Accident in Rochester
If your loved one was killed in a construction accident in Rochester, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent parties that caused the accident. If your loved one was injured in an accident and had already begun the process of filing a construction accident lawsuit before passing away, you can continue their legal action as a survival action claim. Through a wrongful death lawsuit or survival action claim, you may be able to recover damages like:
- Your loved one’s projected lifetime income
- Your loved one’s medical expenses
- Lost services your loved one would have provided
- Funeral and burial costs
- Lost estate value and inheritance
Unlike most states, New York does not allow surviving loved ones to pursue damages for their own emotional suffering. However, you may be able to recover compensation for your loved one’s non-economic damages, including conscious pain and suffering before their death.
A Rochester Construction Accident Attorney Can Determine Who Is Liable
If you’ve suffered injuries and financial losses in one of the incidents listed above, a construction accident lawyer from our team in Rochester, NY, must investigate your incident and determine who should be held liable for your economic and non-economic losses.
Ideally, the liable party will be legally compelled to provide compensation for the medical bills, pain, and other challenges you’ve been burdened with due to the incident they caused. Upon reviewing the evidence, our team may find that one of the following parties is liable for your injuries and accident-related losses:
- The site or property owner
- A general contractor or subcontractor
- A vehicle drivers
- An equipment, tools, or machinery manufacturer
- Your employer
- Another party
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This law firm goes above and beyond to fight for you. Their entire team treats you with respect and truly cares about your well-being. Look no further if you need a personal injury lawyer.
John Richmond and the team at Richmond Vona did an incredible job with my complicated personal injury case. They made sure no stone was unturned and got me the settlement I deserved for my situation. They treat you well, explain everything you need to know and more so you are always in the loop about the status of your case. John was easy to get in touch with anytime during the process and made signing paperwork easy and understandable. Their entire staff is professional and helpful throughout the process These guys are fair, trustworthy, and will stand up for you!
This firm’s attention to detail is second to none. It’s evident that they are true professionals and really care about their injured clients. This is the firm to call if you have been seriously injured due to someone else’s negligence.
Time Limits for Filing a Construction Accident Lawsuit in Rochester
While it might seem tempting to focus purely on your injuries and physical recovery after a work accident, you should also devote some time to the legal aspects of your injury. That’s because New York has a strict filing deadline that all construction accident victims must follow when submitting a personal injury lawsuit. After reporting the accident to your employer, you should also report to OSHA if your injury is severe. Fatalities must be reported within eight hours, and hospitalizations must be reported within 24.
New York state law gives injured workers three years from the date of the injury to file a civil lawsuit. If the injury was fatal, surviving family members only have two years from the date of death to sue. Missing these deadlines will likely disqualify you from recovering the compensation you need to cover your losses and get your life back on track. It’s critical to contact a Rochester construction accident attorney as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss a deadline and lose your right to seek justice.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Rochester Construction Accident Attorney
At Richmond Vona, LLC, we’re eager to do everything we can to get you the financial recovery you deserve. We will use our extensive trial experience, cutting-edge technology, and all our resources to make your case as successful as possible.
To get the highly skilled representation you need to win your case, contact us today and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. A Rochester construction accident lawyer from our law firm will meet with you to discuss your accident, educate you on your legal options, and help you take the first steps toward your financial recovery.
