Union workers help build, maintain, and power New York every day. Whether you work in construction, transportation, utilities, manufacturing, healthcare, sanitation, or another skilled trade, your job often involves dangerous conditions that can lead to serious injuries. When an accident happens because of unsafe working conditions, defective equipment, or another party’s negligence, you deserve experienced legal representation.

Hill & Moin LLP proudly represents injured union workers throughout New York. Our attorneys understand the unique challenges union members face after workplace accidents, including workers’ compensation claims, third-party lawsuits, and navigating complex insurance issues. We are committed to helping injured workers protect their health, income, and future.

Your case. Your future. Our priority.

What You Need to Know About Union Worker Injury Claims

Many union workers assume that workers’ compensation is their only option after a workplace accident. While workers’ compensation often provides medical benefits and wage replacement, it may not be your only source of financial recovery.

If another party contributed to your accident—such as a subcontractor, property owner, equipment manufacturer, or negligent driver—you may also have a third-party personal injury claim. These lawsuits can provide compensation for damages that workers’ compensation does not cover, including pain and suffering.

Understanding every available legal option can make a significant difference in your recovery.

You deserve a law firm that prioritizes your safety and recovery. Contact Hill & Moin LLP today for a confidential, no-obligation consultation.

What Types of Union Workers Do We Represent?

Hill & Moin LLP represents members of many unionized professions throughout New York, including:

• Construction workers
• Electricians
• Ironworkers
• Laborers
• Operating engineers
• Carpenters
• Plumbers
• Steamfitters
• Teamsters
• Transit workers
• Healthcare workers
• Sanitation workers
• Utility workers
• Warehouse employees
• Manufacturing workers

Regardless of your trade, you deserve a safe workplace and fair compensation after a serious injury.

Common Union Worker Accidents

Union workers often perform physically demanding jobs in hazardous environments.

Common workplace accidents include:

Construction Site Accidents

Falls from scaffolding, collapsing structures, falling objects, trench collapses, and heavy equipment accidents remain leading causes of serious injuries.

Machinery Accidents

Defective or improperly maintained machinery can cause crush injuries, amputations, burns, and other catastrophic harm.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Wet surfaces, uneven flooring, debris, and unsafe walking areas frequently result in serious injuries.

Electrical Accidents

Live wires, exposed electrical systems, and inadequate lockout/tagout procedures can cause severe burns, electrocution, or permanent disability.

Vehicle and Equipment Accidents

Forklifts, cranes, dump trucks, and commercial vehicles can cause devastating workplace injuries.

Common Injuries Suffered by Union Workers

Many workplace accidents lead to life-changing injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Back injuries
• Neck injuries
• Broken bones
• Crush injuries
• Amputations
• Burns
• Eye injuries
• Shoulder and knee injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Wrongful death

These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and time away from work.

Recent Workplace Safety Statistics

Workplace injuries continue to affect thousands of New York workers every year.

Workplace Safety Fact	Recent Data
National workplace injuries	OSHA’s 2024 Injury Tracking Application includes reports from more than 390,000 establishments covering nearly 1.5 million work-related injury and illness cases.
New York workplace fatalities	The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 217 fatal workplace injuries in New York during 2024.
Construction safety	New York City recorded 482 construction worker injuries in 2024, a decline from the previous year, but construction remains one of the state’s most hazardous industries.
OSHA enforcement	Machine guarding, fall protection, and hazard communication remain among OSHA’s most frequently cited workplace safety violations.

These statistics show that while workplace safety has improved in some industries, serious accidents continue to occur across New York.

Don’t wait—your future starts with one phone call. Contact Hill & Moin LLP today.

Can Union Workers File Personal Injury Lawsuits?

Yes, in many situations.

Although workers’ compensation generally prevents lawsuits against your employer, you may have a separate personal injury claim if someone other than your employer caused or contributed to your accident.

Examples include:

• Negligent subcontractors
• Property owners
• Equipment manufacturers
• Maintenance companies
• Utility contractors
• Motor vehicle drivers
• Scaffold or ladder manufacturers

A third-party lawsuit may allow you to recover compensation for pain and suffering, future lost income, and other damages unavailable through workers’ compensation.

What Compensation May Be Available?

Depending on the circumstances of your case, compensation may include:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical treatment
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity
• Rehabilitation costs
• Permanent disability benefits
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of quality of life
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

Our attorneys carefully evaluate every case to identify all available sources of recovery.

What Should You Do After a Workplace Accident?

Taking the right steps immediately after an injury can protect both your health and your legal rights.

Union Worker Injury Checklist

• Report the accident to your supervisor.
• Seek immediate medical treatment.
• Follow your doctor’s treatment plan.
• Photograph the accident scene if possible.
• Preserve damaged equipment or safety gear.
• Obtain witness information.
• Keep copies of accident reports and medical records.
• Contact an experienced union worker accident attorney before accepting a settlement.

Understanding the Legal Process

Step 1: Free Consultation

We review the facts of your accident and identify every available legal claim.

Step 2: Investigation

Our attorneys gather accident reports, OSHA records, witness statements, maintenance logs, and expert opinions.

Step 3: Filing Claims

We pursue workers’ compensation benefits and third-party personal injury claims when appropriate.

Step 4: Negotiation

We negotiate aggressively with insurance companies and responsible parties.

Step 5: Trial

If a fair settlement cannot be reached, Hill & Moin LLP is fully prepared to present your case before a jury.

Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Lawsuit

Workers’ Compensation	Third-Party Personal Injury Claim
Covers most workplace injuries	Requires negligence by another party
Medical benefits available	Medical expenses recoverable
Partial wage replacement	Full economic losses may be recoverable
No pain and suffering damages	Pain and suffering damages may be available
No need to prove employer fault	Must establish third-party liability

Understanding the differences between these claims is often essential to maximizing your recovery.

Why Choose Hill & Moin LLP?

For decades, Hill & Moin LLP has represented injured New Yorkers in complex construction accidents, workers’ compensation, machinery accidents, premises liability, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death cases.

Clients choose Hill & Moin LLP because we provide:

• Personalized legal representation
• Thorough investigations
• Experience handling complex workplace accident claims
• Skilled negotiations with insurance companies
• Trial-ready advocacy
• No attorney fees unless compensation is recovered

Our goal is to protect your rights while helping you secure the financial resources you need to move forward.

Speak with a trusted New York injury attorney at Hill & Moin LLP—your future deserves protection.

Frequently Asked Questions About Union Worker Accident Claims

Can I sue if I’m a union worker?

Yes. Although workers’ compensation usually prevents lawsuits against your employer, you may have a third-party claim if another company, contractor, manufacturer, or property owner contributed to your injuries.

Does my union affect my legal rights?

Your union may provide valuable workplace protections and benefits, but it does not prevent you from pursuing workers’ compensation benefits or a personal injury lawsuit when another party is legally responsible.

What if defective equipment caused my accident?

You may have a product liability claim against the equipment manufacturer or another responsible company if defective machinery, tools, or safety equipment caused your injuries.

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

Different deadlines apply to workers’ compensation claims and personal injury lawsuits. Speaking with an attorney promptly helps preserve important evidence and protects your legal rights.

How much does it cost to hire Hill & Moin LLP?

Hill & Moin LLP handles workplace injury and personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

Contact Hill & Moin LLP Today

A workplace accident can leave you facing painful injuries, lost income, and uncertainty about your future. You shouldn’t have to navigate the legal process alone.

When your health, livelihood, or family’s future is on the line, every decision matters. Call Hill & Moin LLP today and take the first step toward financial recovery and peace of mind.

Contact Hill & Moin LLP today to schedule your confidential, no-obligation consultation.