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Work Injuries: Window Installation & Window Washing

Window Washer, Window Installation and Window Washing Work Injuries

At Block O’Toole & Murphy, we understand the daily risks that window washers and installers face on elevated work sites. Our lawyers have successfully represented window installers, window washers, construction site workers, and others who have suffered serious injuries on the job. This includes injuries caused by negligence — where the law imposes strict liability upon parties contracting for and benefitting from the work.

Need to Know:

  • New York Labor Law protects window washers from injuries caused by a lack of proper safety equipment
  • Violations of either labor laws can result in strict liability, regardless of ‘fault’ or negligence, making the owner and contractor responsible for the injured workers’ damages
  • An experienced attorney is essential to investigate your case and provide guidance on your rights

Window washers and installers risk their lives for the job every day, and we are intimately aware of the laws that protect these workers and regularly fight to ensure the law provides the greatest protection to these brave workers and their families. We will fight for your right to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

In This Article:

No amount of money can make up for what you have been through, but we will do everything we can to help you get the justice you deserve. We have experience representing workers in a variety of window accident cases, including those involving:

New York Legal Protections for Window Washers

Although modern safety equipment is better than it used to be, window washers are still at risk of falling accidents, which is why building owners and employers are required to provide them with adequate fall protection devices.

New York Labor Law §202 protects window washers, commonly called the “Window Washer Statute.” Under this law, building owners, lessees, and managers may be held legally responsible for any injuries to window washers injured while working on their buildings due to a lack of proper safety equipment.

Another law that protects window washers exposed to elevation-related risks in their work is New York Labor Law §240(1), commonly called the “Scaffold Law,” which requires building owners and contractors to provide appropriate scaffolding, hoists and other safety equipment for workers, including window washers and glass installation workers. Violations of either of these laws result in strict liability, regardless of ‘fault’ or negligence, making the owner and contractor responsible for the injured workers’ damages — even if the owner or contractor was unaware that the equipment provided was inadequate, defective, or missing.

This law was enacted to protect workers because the very nature of their job puts them at risk. As between the workers and the owners and contractors, the owners and contractors are in a better position to provide protection, and ensure the site is kept safe. This includes hiring responsible subcontractors, enforcing site safety rules, and acquiring insurance policies to cover injuries and damages when accidents happen. Block O’Toole & Murphy attorneys have worked to ensure this law provides as much protection as these workers deserve.

At Block O’Toole & Murphy, our attorneys have extensive experience holding building owners, managers, contractors, and other parties accountable when their negligence or violation of the law causes injury to our clients. We have been helping these workers seek full and fair compensation for their injuries for nearly 30 years. We also represent those who have lost loved ones in fatal accidents caused by negligence or statutory violations.

Read on for examples of victories we have secured for those injured while installing and washing windows in New York.

$3.72 Million for a Glass Installation Worker

Block O’Toole & Murphy represented a commercial glass installation worker after he stepped on an unsecured hole cover resulting in a two-story fall. As a result of this fall, he suffered a calcaneus fracture in his left foot and a torn left rotator cuff. To treat these injuries, he required open reduction-internal fixation surgery on his left foot and arthroscopic surgery to repair his shoulder.

At only 28 years old, these injuries and the resulting complications prevented our client from ever returning to construction work. In addition to pursuing compensation for his injuries and medical expenses, we made a claim for his lost wages, both past and future. With the assistance of the court, our attorneys negotiated a pretrial settlement of $3,720,000 for our client.

$3.2 Million for a Window Installer

In another case, we represented a window installer who was working on a construction site at an elementary school. While working on a one-level scaffold, he stepped on an unsecured plank, which flipped up and caused him to fall to the ground. He suffered serious injuries to his left elbow, left shoulder, and cervical spine.

The defense argued that our client’s injuries were resolved and would require no further treatment. Additionally, they argued that even if he could never return to construction work, our client could be employed in other capacities. Despite these arguments, we obtained a $3,200,000 settlement for him.

$2.25 Million for a Manhattan Window Washer

In another case, we represented a window washer working on a Manhattan office building. He was secured properly to the exterior of the second floor, but the bolt that was securing his belt suddenly pulled out of the wall. He fell 15 to 20 feet to the ground, suffering fractures to his left arm, pelvis, and hip.

The defense attempted to argue that the window washer had disobeyed safety instructions and taken unnecessary risks to perform his job, and that his excellent recovery minimized his need for future medical expenses. Despite these challenges, our attorneys obtained a $2,250,000 million settlement before trial for his medical costs, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

When Workers’ Compensation Is Not Enough

Workers’ compensation may cover some of your immediate bills after an accident, but it may not provide you or your family with the full amount of money you need and deserve to compensate you for future medical bills or lost wages, as well as other, less tangible damages.

In New York, the law may allow injured workers to pursue personal injury claims for compensation beyond what is available through workers’ compensation, when a party or individual who is not the employer may be held accountable for the accident. However, it is essential to coordinate both claims to protect your legal rights and secure the best result. Block O’Toole & Murphy has a reputation for handling complex injury cases, and we are happy to help clients with their workers’ compensation claims; we also have a network of some of the best workers’ compensation attorneys in New York, always ensuring that clients receive the best representation for each of their claims.

Speak to an Attorney Today. Call for a Free Consultation

If you or someone you love were seriously harmed while installing or washing windows, we encourage you to contact us to speak with a lawyer at no cost. During your FREE case evaluation, one of our experienced work injury attorneys will answer your questions, advise you of your rights and help you determine an appropriate course of action to pursue the compensation to which you are entitled.

Call us at 212-736-5300, or contact us online. We serve all New York State, including Buffalo, Albany, Long Island, Rochester, and the five boroughs of New York City.

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