CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS & LABOR LAW
Each year, thousands of construction workers are injured or killed at New York and New Jersey construction sites. Although construction companies are required under New York labor laws to inspect each site with safety engineers and implement a wide variety of safety measures, construction workers still face a greater risk of work-related injury or fatality than employees in any other U.S. industry. New York labor laws were enacted to protect construction workers from worksite-related accidents–and it’s for this reason that our firm believes that most worksite accidents are avoidable and that those not following laws to protect workers should be held accountable.
A construction worker involved in a work-related accident will often have a claim against the general contractor and/or owner of the construction site pursuant to Sections 200, 240 and 241(6) of the New York State Labor Law. Section 200 of the New York State Labor Law codifies a common law obligation to use reasonable care in the maintenance of a worksite. New York Labor Law Section 240 contains special provisions for workers injured by or on scaffolds, ladders, hoists, stays, slings, hangers, pulleys, irons, ropes, blocks, braces and other similar devices. This unique section of the New York Labor Law, commonly known as the “Scaffolding Law,” allows injured workers to bring lawsuits against a property owner or general contractor who violates this section, rendering them strictly liable for workers injured as a result of inadequate or missing safety equipment at elevated work sites. Labor Law Section 240 also protects workers from “falling objects” at a worksite where an object falls and injures a worker due to a violation of the safety provisions of that section of law. In addition, Section 241(6) of the New York State Labor Law imposes a duty upon the general contractor and/or owner to comply with all provisions of the New York State Industrial Code. Architects, subcontractors and manufacturers of equipment may also be held responsible for inadequate safety precautions.
Do I Have a Viable CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT or LABOR LAW Case?
Any potential construction injury or labor law case requires a detailed understanding of the facts, the processes, and the law. If an work-related accident has impacted your life, you will want to consult with an experienced attorney to see if you should pursue a lawsuit.
Contact Us
Please call us for a free consultation and we will be happy to discuss any potential case with you.