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Lost Wages Claims for Undocumented Workers in NY

BY Robert S. Kelner
September 26, 2011

The law with respect to the recovery of lost wages by undocumented workers injured in accidents at construction sites in New York is gradually evolving. In the landmark decision Balbuena v. IDR Realty LLC, 6 N.Y.3d 338, 812 N.Y.S.2d 416 (2006), New York's highest court, the Court of Appeals, held that such wage claims are generally permissible. However, there were issues raised in Balbuena that are now being addressed in more detail by the courts.

The Case

In Balbuena, the Court of Appeals established that undocumented workers, who are not legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of injury, are not precluded from recovering lost wages in personal injury litigation. The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) does not preempt state laws regarding the permissible scope of recovery in personal injury actions based upon state labor laws. The court determined that the New York Labor Law applies to all workers, regardless of immigration status.

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