September 2026’s Best Construction Accident Lawyers in Brooklyn: Kucher Law Group Takes the Top Spot

Why Choosing the Right Construction Accident Lawyer Matters

Seven stories above Ocean Parkway in Kensington, two bricklayers ride a suspended scaffold down the face of a prewar apartment building, cutting out cracked brick that a facade inspector flagged months ago. One of them unclips to reach a stubborn stretch of parapet, because his lifeline was rigged too short for the drop he was told to finish. In Flatbush, a pointing crew on a building off Newkirk Avenue notices one end of its platform hanging lower than the other. In Bedford-Stuyvesant, a laborer gutting a vacant building on Fulton Street is pinned when an interior wall gives way before anyone braced the floor above. Each needs a Brooklyn construction accident lawyer who understands old buildings and the defense a contractor will raise first.

Older facades are where the trouble concentrates. A review of the city’s Facade Inspection and Safety Program prepared by Thornton Tomasetti for the NYC Department of Buildings, dated December 10, 2025, found that about 28 percent of buildings constructed more than 40 years before the cycle began filed an UNSAFE initial report in Cycle 9, compared with about 10 percent of buildings completed within the prior ten years. The same report counts roughly 17,000 buildings subject to the program in the current cycle. Every unsafe report sends crews onto scaffolds on a deadline.

When a worker falls from a suspended scaffold, the contractor’s carrier usually reaches for one argument before any other: the worker had a harness, was told to tie off, and chose not to. Adjusters build a recorded statement around that theme while the facade contractor, the rigger, and the owner point at one another.

The right attorney can make the difference between:

• A fall written off as a “recalcitrant worker” case and one showing the lifeline, anchor, or tie-in was never adequate
• A claim aimed at a small masonry subcontractor and a lawsuit that reaches the owner who ordered the facade repair
• A demolition injury treated as bad luck and one tied to a wall left unbraced or a floor never inspected
• An early offer covering the emergency room and a recovery that accounts for spinal surgery and lost years at the trade

Facade and demolition work in New York City runs under several rulebooks at once. Local Law 11 drives the inspection cycle, city codes govern who may rig a suspended scaffold, the state Industrial Code sets scaffold and demolition rules, and NY Labor Law §240(1) makes owners and contractors answer for elevation hazards. How those rules interact often decides whether a worker’s own choices matter at all.

These are the five firms we rank for Brooklyn construction accident cases this month.

September 2026 Rankings

Rank	Law Firm	Lead Attorney	Client Satisfaction	Notable Settlements	Years Experience	Specialization Focus
1	Kucher Law Group	Samantha Kucher, Esq.	99%	$1,400,000 Construction Site Fall	15+	Construction Accidents & Personal Injury
2	Gregory Spektor & Associates, P.C.	Gregory Spektor	97%	$300M+ Total Recovered	Decades	Personal Injury & Construction Accidents
3	Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano LLP	Not Stated	95%	Significant Worker Settlements	90+	Construction Worker Injury
4	Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers	Alex Shulman	94%	$2,500,000 Non-Union Construction Worker	10+	Construction & Personal Injury
5	Chopra & Nocerino	Sameer Chopra	93%	$4,750,000 Scaffolding Collapse	20+ (combined)	Construction & Personal Injury

#1 Kucher Law Group

Why They’re #1: A facade or demolition injury often comes down to a single defense: that the worker refused a safety device he was given. Kucher Law Group’s Brooklyn scaffold and demolition accident lawyers test that claim against the rigging, the anchors, and the instructions actually given on site. The firm leads the September list with a $1,400,000 construction site fall result, three partners prepared to try a case, and a Google rating of 4.99 out of 5 from 81 reviews.

Firm Overview

RRK Kucher Law Group PLLC opened on December 10, 2019, and today employs between 10 and 19 people. Clients meet the team at its Brooklyn office on Pulaski Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant or at 26 Broadway in Lower Manhattan. By the firm’s own count it has recovered more than $50 million, settled over $20 million in claims, and posted a 99 percent success rate, all self-reported. It works only on contingency, in English, Russian, and Spanish.

Notable Case Results

• $1,400,000 : Construction site fall down a set of stairs
• $3,500,000 : Subway stair trip and fall, settled at trial
• $650,000 : Fall on building stairs that fractured the client’s ankle
• $525,000 : Icy sidewalk slip and fall, decided by a jury verdict
• $1,800,000 : Sidewalk trip and fall that required surgery

Legal Team Excellence

Michael Roitman takes the lead in this month’s profile. As the firm’s primary trial attorney, Attorney Roitman is the lawyer who meets the recalcitrant worker defense in a courtroom, where the real questions are whether a harness and a proper anchor were truly available and whether anyone told the worker to use them. He earned his undergraduate degree at NYU and his JD at Cooley Law School, and he practices in New York and New Jersey courts as well as the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. He was named among the Top 50 Personal Injury Settlements in New York for 2023. His family fled Ukraine.

Samantha Kucher founded the firm following her 2015 admission to the New York bar. Attorney Kucher studied at NYU and New York Law School, was a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2020, was recognized among the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, and received NAOPIA honors in 2024 and 2025. She grew up at the Milton Hershey School.

Alex Rybakov, admitted in 2010 after studying at NYU and Seton Hall, brings more than 15 years of licensed practice, over a decade of it devoted exclusively to personal injury.

What Sets Them Apart

• 24/7 Availability: The firm takes calls at any hour, which matters when a suspended scaffold is rerigged or a demolition site is cleared within days.
• No Upfront Fees / Contingency Only: Clients owe nothing unless the firm recovers compensation.
• Brooklyn Knowledge: The Bedford-Stuyvesant office sits among the borough’s brownstone and prewar blocks, close to job sites, hospitals, and courthouses.
• Personalized Service: Clients deal directly with their attorneys, in English, Russian, or Spanish.
• Recalcitrant Worker Rebuttal: The team checks whether lifelines, anchors, and tie-ins were on hand, adequate, and ordered for use, the facts Court of Appeals precedent requires before a worker’s choice can defeat a §240(1) claim.

Client Testimonials

A client from the firm’s wider personal injury practice describes the kind of communication a worker needs when a contractor blames him for his own fall:

“They demonstrate true expertise in their field and possess exceptional communication skills. Throughout the process, They consistently kept me updated and ensured that I was fully involved in every decision that was made. I wholeheartedly endorse them to anyone seeking legal support.” Laura Hussain, Google Review

Why Choose Kucher Law Group

Older buildings hide their dangers until the work begins, and the companies that hired the crew often blame the worker once something fails. Kucher Law Group answers that story with the rigging records, inspection reports, and witness accounts that show what protection was really provided. Injured workers get trial lawyers who pick up at any hour, explain each option plainly, and take no fee unless the case recovers money.

Contact: (929) 563-6780 | 463 Pulaski St #1C, Brooklyn, NY 11221

#2 Gregory Spektor & Associates, P.C.

Why They Made Our List: Gregory Spektor & Associates places second for a stated recovery total of more than $300 million and an attorney roster large enough to examine every company on a multi-trade facade or demolition project.

Firm Overview

Gregory Spektor & Associates, P.C. covers a broad range of injury claims and keeps a dedicated Brooklyn construction accident page. The firm cites decades of experience and says it has recovered over $300 million for clients. Individual case amounts are not posted on that page, so none are listed here. The only office shown there is at Cross Island Plaza in Queens, and no Brooklyn address appears.

Notable Achievements

• Over $300 million: Total recovered for clients, according to the firm
• Contingency fees: No payment unless there is a recovery
• Free consultation: Fees and costs are discussed at the first meeting
• Spanish-language page: A translated version of the site is available

Lead Attorney / Team

Gregory Spektor leads the firm. The construction page also lists attorneys including Mikhail Ilyaich, Matthew Sullivan, David L. Henderson, Sol Z. Sokel, Michael Szechter, Dzhamshed Mannonov, Yan Gilkarov, and Galina Avakova. A facade repair can involve an owner, a facade consultant, a masonry contractor, and a scaffold rigger, and a bench this deep can give each one its own review.

Service Approach

Construction claims sit inside the firm’s wider injury practice, and workers are invited to call a toll-free number for a free review. Spanish-speaking masons and laborers can begin with the translated site. Because the listed office is in Queens, a Brooklyn worker recovering from a scaffold fall may want to ask how meetings and signatures will be arranged and whether a home or hospital visit is possible. Asking which attorney will run the file day to day, and how the firm has responded when a contractor claimed a worker refused to tie off, are sensible opening questions.

Contact: 1 (800) 318-8888 | 1 Cross Island Plaza, Suite 203C, Queens, NY 11422

#3 Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano LLP

Why They Made Our List: Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano LLP brings a stated record of more than 90 years assisting injured New York construction workers, along with two offices inside Brooklyn.

Firm Overview

The firm’s Brooklyn construction accident page addresses injured workers directly and states that its record includes significant settlements. No dollar figures or individual attorneys appear on that page, so this profile credits the firm as a whole. A “Se Habla Español” notice indicates Spanish-language service.

Notable Achievements

• 90+ years: Stated history of helping injured New York construction workers
• Two Brooklyn offices: Livingston Street in Downtown Brooklyn and Flatbush Avenue
• Spanish-language service: Offered from the first call

Lead Attorney / Team

The construction page names no lead lawyer and refers readers to the firm’s attorney directory. A worker can ask at the outset who will manage the case and how updates will be shared.

Service Approach

Two Brooklyn addresses give workers a choice: 180 Livingston Street, and 2053 Flatbush Ave, Floor 1, which can be reached at 718-222-9800. A toll-free line, 800-692-3717, is listed as well. The construction page links to a separate contingency fee page instead of stating terms itself, so a worker may want the arrangement in writing before signing. The Flatbush Avenue location may suit workers recovering in the southern half of the borough.

Contact: (718) 395-5056 | 180 Livingston Street, Suite 2, Brooklyn, NY 11201

#4 Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers

Why They Made Our List: Shulman & Hill posts construction results with specific dollar amounts, led by a $2,500,000 recovery for a non-union construction worker, which helps workers on smaller facade and gut renovation crews judge its record.

Firm Overview

Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers says it has served the Brooklyn community for over a decade and reports more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements. Consultations are free, and the firm states that clients owe nothing unless compensation is recovered. Staff speak Spanish and Russian.

Case Results

• $2,500,000: Non-union construction worker
• $1,500,000: Day laborer hurt by a steel beam’s uncontrolled descent
• $1,750,000: HVAC installer injured when a ladder shifted and collapsed
• $1,250,000: Non-union electrician who fell from a ladder

Lead Attorney / Team

Alex Shulman is the founding partner, and JJ Hill is also named on the firm’s Brooklyn construction page.

Service Approach

The firm’s Court Street office places it in Brooklyn, and its listed number carries a 212 area code. Results for non-union and day labor clients suggest it takes cases from small contractors as well as large sites.

Contact: (212) 221-1000 | 26 Court Street, #2216, Brooklyn, NY 11242

#5 Chopra & Nocerino

Why They Made Our List: Chopra & Nocerino rounds out the ranking with published scaffold results, including a $4,750,000 scaffolding collapse recovery and a $550,000 recovery for an electrician hurt in a scaffold fall.

Firm Overview

Chopra & Nocerino reports more than 20 years of combined experience and says it has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars. Clients pay nothing unless it wins, and Spanish-language help is available. Its construction page lists an office in Garden City, Long Island, not in Brooklyn.

Notable Achievements

• $4,750,000: Scaffolding collapse
• $550,000: Electrician injured in a scaffold fall
• $3,500,000: Construction worker hand injury
• Recognition: National Trial Lawyers Top 100, as listed by the firm

Lead Attorney / Team

Partners Sameer Chopra and Alex Nocerino lead the firm, with Managing Attorney Christine Duchatellier and several associates.

Service Approach

Scaffold and ladder claims are featured on the construction page. Brooklyn workers may want to ask how meetings will be handled, since the listed office is outside the borough.

Contact: 855-NYC-HURT (855-692-4878) | 100 Quentin Roosevelt Blvd, Unit 107, Garden City, NY 11530

Understanding Brooklyn Construction Accident Cases

Brooklyn’s older housing stock keeps facade and demolition crews busy all year. Under the NYC Department of Buildings’ Facade Inspection and Safety Program, widely known as Local Law 11, owners of buildings taller than six stories must have exterior walls inspected every five years by a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector. When a report comes back unsafe, the owner must install public protection such as a sidewalk shed immediately and complete repairs within 90 days of filing, unless the Department grants an extension. That clock puts crews on the wall fast, sometimes before the rigging is right.

Suspended Scaffolds on Prewar Apartment Buildings

The tall prewar buildings along Ocean Parkway in Kensington rely on two-point suspended scaffolds for brick replacement and pointing. The state Industrial Code, at 12 NYCRR §23-5.8, requires a designated person to directly supervise installation and any horizontal move, calls for the scaffold to be tied to the building at every working level, and requires at least four turns of wire rope to stay on the hoist drum. The Department of Buildings adds that a licensed rigger, licensed sign hanger, or designated foreman must supervise on site at all times, and that workers on the platform need a 16-hour scaffold course.

Parapets, Cornices, and Falling Masonry

Facade repair on Flatbush apartment buildings near Newkirk Avenue and Foster Avenue often starts at the parapet, where loose brick and coping stones can drop onto workers below. Under §23-5.8(b), a parapet may support roof hooks only if a licensed professional engineer certifies that it can carry the intended load.

Demolition and Partial Collapses

Gut renovations and teardowns along Fulton Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant and 13th Avenue in Borough Park expose workers to walls and floors weakened by decades of water damage. The hand demolition rule, 12 NYCRR §23-3.3, requires continuing inspections by designated persons and bars work near weakened floors or walls until shoring or bracing is in place. In Wilinski v. 334 East 92nd Housing Development Fund Corp. (2011), the Court of Appeals held that a demolition worker struck by unsecured pipes that toppled about four feet could pursue a §240(1) claim even though the pipes were not being hoisted or secured.

The Recalcitrant Worker Defense

Contractors often argue that a worker who fell had a harness and simply would not use it. In Cahill v. Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (2004), the Court of Appeals treated that defense as a form of sole proximate cause. In Gallagher v. New York Post (2010), it drew the limits: the defense applies only where adequate devices were readily available at the work site and the worker knew he was expected to use them but for no good reason chose not to. A standing order that never reached the crew was not enough.

Who Can Be Held Liable

• Building owners, including co-op and condominium corporations that ordered facade work
• General contractors and construction managers
• Masonry, facade restoration, and demolition subcontractors
• Scaffold riggers, sign hangers, and equipment lessors
• Engineers who directed or controlled the work beyond its design

Critical NYC Requirements

• FISP rules at 1 RCNY §103-04 require a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector’s report every five years for buildings over six stories
• A worker’s ordinary carelessness does not reduce a NY Labor Law §240(1) recovery; claims under §241(6) and §200 follow New York’s pure comparative fault rule
• Most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within 3 years, and claims against public entities such as NYCHA require a notice of claim within 90 days
• Notify your employer within 30 days and file a workers’ compensation claim within two years; benefits can run alongside a third-party lawsuit

How We Selected the Best Construction Accident Attorneys

Nine criteria shaped the September list, each weighed with facade, scaffold, and demolition injuries in mind. These cases tend to involve several companies on one wall, a rigging setup that changes from drop to drop, and a contractor ready to blame the worker, so we looked for firms equipped to handle all three.

Case Results and Recovery Amounts. Published results that name an injury carried the most weight. A scaffolding collapse figure tells a facade mason more than a lifetime total does, and where a firm posted only totals or nothing at all, we said so instead of estimating.

Trial Readiness. The recalcitrant worker defense is usually fought at summary judgment and, if it survives, before a jury. Firms with dedicated trial attorneys and verdicts on record ranked higher, because carriers weigh that readiness when deciding how hard to press the argument.

Legal Experience and Expertise. Facade and demolition claims draw on Labor Law §240(1), Industrial Code Subparts 23-3 and 23-5, and city rigging rules at the same time. We favored firms whose pages show regular construction work and a working grasp of those rules.

Brooklyn Community Connection. Suspended scaffolds move from drop to drop, and demolition debris is hauled off within days. We reported where each office actually sits and gave credit to teams close enough to reach a Kensington or Bedford-Stuyvesant site quickly.

Client Satisfaction. Reviews revealed how firms treat workers through long recoveries. Comments about steady updates and involvement in decisions counted for more than general praise, and we kept in mind that ratings reflect a firm’s whole practice.

Accessibility and Communication. Facade crews often include immigrant masons who would rather explain an accident in Spanish, Russian, or another first language. Around-the-clock phone access, toll-free lines, and multilingual staff improved a firm’s standing.

Fee Structure and Transparency. Clear contingency terms and free consultations earned credit, since a mason off the wall for months should never pay to learn his rights. We noted where fee details sat on a separate page and favored firms that explain how a compensation lien affects the final number.

Professional Recognition. We listed only honors the firms publish and tied each to its year. Peer recognition offers outside confirmation of reputation, though it counted for less than documented outcomes.

Innovation in Practice. Rigging records rarely outlast a project. Firms that move early to secure scaffold notifications, rigger and foreman credentials, facade inspection reports, and site photos before the platform comes down earned added consideration. Those records often show whether a lifeline was ever rigged for the drop.

Moving Forward: Choosing Your Brooklyn Construction Accident Attorney

If you were hurt on a suspended scaffold, under a crumbling parapet, or during a demolition in Kensington, Flatbush, Borough Park, or anywhere else in Brooklyn, start with medical care and report the injury to your employer in writing. Photograph the scaffold, the anchors, and the lifelines if you can, and note the names of the rigger, the foreman, and every company on the job. If someone says you refused a harness, write down exactly what equipment was on site and what you were told.

Then speak with a lawyer who handles construction claims. Every firm on this list offers a way to begin, and most provide a free consultation. Ask how the firm would answer a recalcitrant worker defense, which companies it would pursue, and what you would owe if the case succeeds. Scaffolds come down quickly, so make the call soon.

About Our Rankings: Best Online Content’s monthly rankings recognize excellence in specialized practice areas. Our evaluation process examines case results, client satisfaction, professional experience, and community impact. Rankings are based on verified data and are updated monthly to reflect current performance. Enhanced profiles are available but not required for ranking consideration.

For Attorneys: To nominate yourself or a colleague for future rankings, please email editor@bestonlinecontent.com.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is unique, and results depend on specific facts and circumstances.