Very often we handle cases where we know the success or failure of the case falls into a “gray area” in the law. What this means is that the lower court or as we call it in the State of New York, the Supreme Court’s, decision on the interpretation of the Labor Law could be appealed to the Appellate Division which is a panel of Judges who decide whether the Supreme Court’s decision was correct. Over the last two months alone, our firm has been successful on two appeals that have dealt with interpretation of the New York Labor Law — THE STATUTE THAT EXISTS TO PROTECT CONSTRUCTION WORKERS.
One decision was granting summary judgement to a construction worker who slipped on a construction site and the Supreme Court found the defendant responsible. An award of summary judgment on a Labor Law 241-6 case is rare and one we are very proud of. The second decision was in favor of a worker who fell through a ceiling and had not been provided with proper fall protection. Both favorable decisions were due to great preparation and an eye toward the potential appellate decision. It is very important that lawyers make sure they are prepared to win cases at the Supreme Court level and in the appellate courts as well!!!