John Richmond, Co-Founder and CEO
- May 23, 2025
Western New York is experiencing a new wave of growth and development, leading to an increase in construction projects. While this is good news for the local economy, it will likely bring an increase in construction site accidents.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a construction accident, you’re likely facing significant financial, physical, and emotional challenges. You do not need to bear these burdens alone. Richmond Vona has an experienced legal team prepared to fight for the compensation you deserve. Let our New York construction accident lawyers help you get your life back on track.
- Why Choose Richmond Vona for Your New York Construction Accident Case?
- Available Compensation After a Construction Accident
- How an Attorney Can Help With Your Case
- Who Is Liable for a Construction Accident?
- How Soon Do I Have to File a Claim?
- Can I File a Construction Accident Claim After a Fatal Accident?
- Rely on the Team at Richmond Vona
Why Choose Richmond Vona for Your New York Construction Accident Case?
Your case deserves personal attention from NY construction accident attorneys who truly care. At Richmond Vona, we give client-centric a whole new meaning. When we take your case, we’ll assemble a team of three to four legal professionals dedicated specifically to you. Behind the scenes, we prioritize firm culture, resulting in a unified, collaborative team ready to fight for you every step of the way.
Experience That Gets Results
Our team has 30 years of combined experience advocating for the rights of injured people throughout New York. We’ve won over $200 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients, which include many construction accident victims and their loved ones. Founding attorneys John E. Richmond and Keith R. Vona have received numerous accolades for their excellence in personal injury law, including New York Super Lawyers, Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers in New York, and Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers in New York by the National Trial Lawyers.
John’s family background is a key motivating factor for our firm’s success in local construction accident cases. Born and raised in Western New York, John grew up around job sites because his father owned a masonry business. This upbringing gives him a first-hand understanding of the dangerous nature of construction work and the devastating consequences that can arise from accidents on the job.
Keith is a former United States Marine who spent 10 years as an officer with the Buffalo Police Department. He has dedicated his life to seeking justice for those who need it most, and he brings a unique perspective of empathy and determination to every construction accident case he takes on.
Samantha Cantone is a very experienced and talented personal injury lawyer. Since she had worked for insurance defense firms before- she understands how they think and evaluate claims. This insider knowledge gives her and her clients a huge advantage- and is one of the reasons she is able to obtain such spectacular results. Whenever we have a client in NY and especially the Buffalo area- she is the lawyer we want. She is trustworthy and hardworking and I recommend her without any reservation. I’ve been a lawyer for 35 years and have seen it all. She’s the real deal!
Getting in an accident is never easy, whether your injured or just have damage to your car, it is without a doubt a scary time. Calling Richmond Vona was the best choice I made, they took the time to go over everything and make me feel safe and secure, they check in with you(hopefully you’ll get Rachel, She is awesome), and keep up with you progression. I am so thankful for the wonderful care I have been receiving, and I really appreciate everyone being so caring! I hope I don’t have to go through this again, but if I do, Richmond Vona will be the first call I make. Thank you for taking a scary situation and making it manageable, you folks rock!!!
Her willingness to listen to my concerns and answer all of my questions was truly a breath of fresh air in today’s world. It’s not often that you come across someone who is so genuinely caring and understanding. I was impressed by her professionalism and helpful demeanor, and it was clear that she truly had my best interests at heart.
If I ever find myself in need of assistance with a personal injury case in the future, Richmond and Vona will be the first firm I reach out to. They exceeded my expectations from the very beginning, and I have no doubt that they will provide top-notch service and support throughout the entire process.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Andrea at Richmond and Vona when I called with some general questions. I must admit, I was a bit hesitant and worried that I would be met with frustration for simply trying to gather information. However, Andrea completely put me at ease with her patience and empathy.
This team of lawyers and everyone at the firm I’ve enjoyed working with is very caring, compassionate, friendly, and informative. You’re never left wondering what’s going on with your case. I was highly satisfied with the outcome! Also, if you have any general questions or concerns, someone can speak with you 24 hours daily. I called at 1230 and immediately got a call from a very helpful specialist. Then, at 9 am, I was awoken by a call from Mr. Richmond himself. They are one of the most trustworthy and knowledgeable firms in Buffalo.
Available Compensation After a Construction Accident
If you are injured in a work accident while working for an employer, you are likely covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation typically covers injury-related medical expenses and a portion of lost wages—up to the current weekly maximum.
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system—you do not need to prove that anyone was negligent. To recover benefits, you only need to prove your injury or illness occurred while you were “on the clock” or as a direct result of your work-related duties. As a trade-off, you waive your right to sue your employer for your work-related injuries or illnesses.
However, additional compensation may be available if a third party caused the accident. A third party is anyone other than your employer or another employee who contributed to the accident, such as a defective equipment manufacturer or a negligent subcontractor. In these cases, you may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible parties in addition to receiving workers’ compensation benefits.
Personal injury damages may include economic damages such as past and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, transportation expenses, and any other out-of-pocket costs related to your accident. Non-economic damages may also be available for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other intangible losses.
Our team has a track record of securing maximum compensation for construction accident victims through personal injury lawsuits. Notable results include a $600,000 settlement for a client who suffered a catastrophic injury at a construction site.
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Words cannot describe how grateful my wife and I are of John Richmond. His friendliness, knowledge, loyalty and professionalism are of the highest level. Being this was the first time we’ve had to obtain legal assistance, John made this process very easy for my wife and I. We both would highly recommend Richmond Vona.
What a phenomenal experience to come from a terrifying accident. From day 1 Richmond/Vona provided me with nothing but comfort and professionalism. Communication is paramount in my needs and they performed that with nothing short of exceptional. Mr. Richmond made me feel like this was the only case he was working on. Thank you to all of your staff for looking out for my best interests and taking a stressful situation and making it so very easy for me and my family.
My experience with Keith Vona was exceptional. To this day, I am grateful for the dedication and compassion he displayed throughout my case. The outcome of my case was successful as a result of his drive and commitment. I would highly recommend Keith Vona to anyone in need of legal representation.
How an Attorney Can Help With Your Case
You’re dealing with enough after a construction accident—let us handle the legal details. When you turn to Richmond Vona, we’ll guide you through each step of the process so you can focus on your recovery. Our experienced NY construction accident attorneys can help you in the following ways:
- Investigating the accident: We’ll thoroughly investigate your accident to identify all parties responsible for your injuries and gather evidence to support your claim.
- Calculating damages: Our team will work with medical professionals and other experts to accurately calculate the full extent of your past and future damages.
- Negotiating with insurance carriers and construction companies: We will aggressively negotiate with insurance companies to seek the maximum compensation available for your losses. We have attorneys on staff who have previously worked in construction and represented construction companies, so we know their common tactics and how to counter them.
- Pursuing litigation: If necessary, we will take your case to trial and fight for your rights before a judge and jury.
- Meeting deadlines: There are strict time limits for filing construction accident claims. We will advise you of the applicable deadlines and work diligently to meet them.
- Assisting with medical treatment: We can refer you to trusted medical professionals specializing in treating construction accident injuries and help coordinate your care. We can also help you find ways to access care before you receive a settlement or verdict. Hiring a local firm like Richmond Vona means the team is familiar with the local hospitals and other resources that can support your recovery and claim.
In short, a New York construction accident lawyer can be your best ally as you seek to recover from your injuries and move forward with your life.
“We’re very fortunate to have several attorneys with extensive experience in construction accident litigation, some of whom have even worked in construction in the past. We now have attorneys at our firm who prior to joining us defended construction companies, general contractors, subcontractors– so we have a wealth of experience”
Who Is Liable for a Construction Accident?
New York’s workers’ compensation system generally shields employers from lawsuits by injured employees. That means you most likely cannot sue your employer even if they were directly responsible for your injuries.
However, New York Labor Laws 200 and 240 may allow you to sue a third party that fails to meet its duty of providing a safe workplace. Liable parties may include contractors, subcontractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, municipal entities, or others whose negligence contributed to your accident.
Keep in mind that only employees are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. If you were working as an independent contractor when the construction accident occurred, you may have the right to sue for damages without worrying about workers’ compensation restrictions.
How Soon Do I Have to File a Claim?
New York has strict deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, for taking legal action in construction accident cases. Our experienced New York construction accident lawyers can help you meet these deadlines so you don’t lose your right to compensation.
If you qualify for a third-party personal injury claim, you must file your claim within three years of the date of the accident. The deadline is shorter if you’re filing a personal injury claim against New York City or New York State—in that case, you must give notice within 90 days and file suit within one year and 90 days of the accident.
Can I File a Construction Accident Claim After a Fatal Accident?
Few occupations are more dangerous than construction work. Unfortunately, some accidents at construction sites are so severe they result in workers’ deaths. If you have lost a loved one in a crane accident, a forklift accident, a building collapse, or any other type of construction accident, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Wrongful death damages may include compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of parental guidance, and more. While no amount of money can undo the loss of a loved one, a New York wrongful death lawsuit can help provide financial stability and a sense of closure for those left behind. Our attorneys have experience representing families who have lost loved ones in construction accidents and can guide you through the legal process during this difficult time.
Rely on the Team at Richmond Vona
A construction accident can turn your life upside down in an instant. If you or a loved one has suffered a work injury on a construction site, Richmond Vona can help you seek the compensation you need to rebuild and move forward.
Our construction accident lawyers in New York are ready to listen to your story, gather evidence, and build a compelling case on your behalf. Call 716-500-5678 or contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
