One moment you were doing your job, washing windows on a construction site, and the next moment, a fall, equipment failure, or unsafe conditions changed everything. If you were injured while working at height, a New York window washer accident lawyer can help you understand your legal options and pursue accountability. Medical bills, lost income, and uncertainty about the future can quickly become overwhelming, especially when your injuries were caused by someone else’s failure to keep the worksite safe.
At Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers, our NYC construction accident attorneys have represented injured New Yorkers for more than 30 years. We understand how devastating construction site accidents can be, particularly for window washers who rely on scaffolds, harnesses, and other safety systems to protect their lives. When those systems fail, you deserve answers, clarity, and justice.
Why Window Washing Accidents Happen on Construction Sites
Window washing is one of the most dangerous jobs on a construction site, especially in New York City, where workers routinely perform tasks at extreme heights. Safety depends on proper equipment, careful planning, and strict compliance with labor laws.
Many window washer accidents occur because safety responsibilities are ignored or shifted. Common causes include the following factors that investigators frequently uncover after serious construction injuries:
- Defective or improperly assembled scaffolding,
- Missing or inadequate fall protection systems,
- Unstable ladders or suspended platforms,
- Failure to inspect safety equipment, and
- Unsafe work practices in windy or poor weather conditions.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls remain the leading cause of death in the construction industry nationwide. OSHA consistently reports that scaffolding and ladder failures contribute to a significant percentage of serious and fatal injuries among construction workers, including window washers.
Injuries Commonly Seen in Window Washer Accidents
When a window washer falls or is struck by falling equipment, the injuries are often severe. These injuries frequently require extensive medical treatment and long periods away from work, if returning to work is even possible.
Medical professionals and safety agencies regularly document the following injuries in window washing and scaffold accidents:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions;
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis;
- Broken bones and complex fractures;
- Internal organ damage;
- Severe cuts, burns, or permanent scarring; and
- Fatal injuries resulting in wrongful death.
Studies reviewed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health show that high-elevation falls greatly increase the likelihood of permanent disability or death. These injuries do not just affect the worker. They impact entire families who must adjust to lost income, ongoing care needs, and emotional trauma.
The Importance of Hiring a Local New York Window Washer Accident Lawyer
New York has some of the strongest worker protection laws in the country, but those laws are highly specific and must be applied correctly. A local New York window washer accident lawyer understands how these laws work and how they are enforced in New York courts.
One of the most important statutes is New York Labor Law § 240, commonly known as the Scaffold Law. This law imposes strict liability on property owners and contractors for injuries caused by inadequate safety devices related to elevation risks. You do not need to prove negligence. You must show that proper safety equipment was not provided or that it failed to protect you.
Additional protections may apply depending on the circumstances of your accident, including requirements that property owners and contractors maintain safe work environments and that they comply with specific construction safety regulations outlined in the New York Industrial Code.
These statutes are enforced by New York courts and interpreted in accordance with decades of case law. A local attorney understands how judges and insurers evaluate these claims and how to build a case that meets New York’s legal standards.
A Path Forward After a Window Washer Injury
At Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers, we have spent decades standing with injured construction workers throughout New York. If you were hurt while washing windows on a construction site, speaking with a New York window washer accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and options.
Contact Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. You deserve clarity, justice, and a legal team that is prepared to fight for the compensation you need to move forward.