New York offers burn victims some of the most powerful legal tools in the country — including the absolute liability Scaffold Law (Labor Law § 240), pure comparative fault allowing recovery regardless of your share of blame, and a 3-year statute of limitations under CPLR § 214. New York's construction industry, maritime ports, chemical manufacturing sector, and Con Edison utility infrastructure generate significant burn injury volume each year.
The Weill Cornell Medicine/NewYork-Presbyterian Burn Center in New York City is New York's premier ABA-verified burn treatment facility. Comprehensive medical records from NewYork-Presbyterian document injury severity, surgical and reconstructive care, and long-term functional prognosis — the clinical backbone of any successful burn injury claim.
The ABA-verified burn center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital provides specialized burn care for New York City construction workers, maritime employees, Con Edison utility workers, chemical plant workers, and burn victims from across the metropolitan area and upstate New York.
New York Labor Law § 240 — the "Scaffold Law" — imposes absolute liability on property owners and general contractors for gravity-related construction injuries. While originally designed for falls, New York courts have applied Labor Law § 240 to situations where workers fall into or are exposed to open flames, hot materials, or fire hazards as part of a gravity-related incident. When the Scaffold Law applies, the property owner and general contractor are liable regardless of the worker's own negligence — contributory fault is not a defense. This makes Labor Law § 240 one of the most powerful plaintiff tools in American personal injury law. Property owners and general contractors frequently face full liability for devastating construction burn injuries under this statute.
New York Labor Law § 241(6) imposes a non-delegable duty on property owners and general contractors to provide reasonable and adequate protection to workers at construction sites, in compliance with the New York Industrial Code. Violations of specific Industrial Code provisions (including those governing fire prevention, hot work, and electrical safety) constitute negligence per se under § 241(6). Unlike § 240, § 241(6) claims are subject to comparative fault — but the non-delegable nature of the duty means owners and GCs cannot shift responsibility to subcontractors. This statute is frequently paired with § 240 in construction burn injury cases.
New York follows pure comparative fault under CPLR Article 14-A. You may recover damages even if you were predominantly at fault for your injury — your award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. There is no threshold bar to recovery as in "modified" comparative fault states. This system, combined with the Scaffold Law's absolute liability, gives New York construction burn victims exceptional leverage in litigation and settlement.
Consolidated Edison (Con Edison) is one of the nation's largest investor-owned utilities, serving New York City and Westchester County. Con Edison electrical burns — from manhole explosions, steam pipe failures, street-level vault events, and utility work — have a substantial body of New York case law establishing Con Edison's negligence and premises liability in infrastructure-related burn injuries. Con Edison's detailed incident reporting, inspection records, and prior violation history are powerful discovery tools in burn injury litigation.
New York's personal injury statute of limitations is 3 years from the date of injury under CPLR § 214. Claims against New York City or other governmental entities require a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the incident under General Municipal Law § 50-e. This 90-day notice deadline for government claims is far shorter than the general limitations period and is strictly enforced — missing it can permanently bar claims against the City of New York, the MTA, NYCHA, and other public entities.
Whether you were burned on a New York City construction site, in a Con Edison manhole event, aboard a Port vessel, or at a chemical plant — New York law provides powerful tools including the Scaffold Law, pure comparative fault, and 3-year filing window. If your injury involved a government entity, act within 90 days.
Confidential. No fee unless you win. Government claims: 90-day notice required.