Sunnyside, NY (November 2, 2026) – Emergency crews rescued a construction worker trapped in a trench between two apartment buildings in Sunnyside, Queens.
Officials said the worker was stuck in the trench and trapped in dirt when they received the call around 4:30 p.m. on November 2. Firefighters carried out a major technical rescue response and were able to get the worker out.
An ambulance took the worker to the hospital after the rescue. The worker’s condition remains unknown.
This is a developing story. Details may change as the investigation continues.
How a Construction Accident Claim Moves Forward in New York
The CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports 373 trenching deaths from 2003 to 2017. It says trenches 5 feet deep or deeper need a protective system. The worker’s condition has not been released, and these steps matter most for anyone hurt on a construction site.
- Get medical care right away and keep every record, even if symptoms seem mild.
- Preserve what disappears first: photos of the trench and any shoring or trench box, the work schedule, and the names of everyone on site. Ask for the incident report and any inspection records.
- Report any injury to the employer in writing and apply for workers’ compensation. Those benefits do not stop a worker from also bringing a claim against a party other than the employer (Workers’ Compensation Law § 29).
- Identify who controlled the site. Labor Law § 241(6) covers excavation work and puts duties on owners, contractors, and their agents. That may include the property owner, the general contractor, and any subcontractor on the job.
- Mind the deadline. Under New York law, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim (CPLR § 214). That puts the deadline at November 2, 2029.
How Frekhtman & Associates Helps After a Construction Accident in Queens
After a construction accident, our New York construction accident lawyers take over the insurer calls and the safety records. We also search for every responsible contractor, so the worker can focus on recovery. We have offices in Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Queens.
We investigate the site, identify who controlled it, and take the claim to trial when an offer falls short. Evidence on a construction site changes fast, so we move quickly to preserve it.
What Queens construction workers and their families get with Frekhtman & Associates after a site injury:
- $900M+ recovered for injured New York clients across more than 25 years of practice
- $69,225,000 auto accident jury verdict, one of the largest in New York State history
- Free 24/7 consultations, including home and hospital visits for clients unable to travel
- Personal callbacks from founding attorney Arkady Frekhtman
- Russian-language services available
- Zero fees unless we win your case
- Queens office in Forest Hills, serving families across the borough
- $4,000,000 construction accident result
Our Queens office is on Metropolitan Ave, Forest Hills, NY. Call 866-821-0718, stop by, or send the details through our contact form.
