Over a century ago, in 1885, New York Legislators enacted the first scaffold law in response to concerns over unsafe conditions for employees who worked at heights. This was a reaction to the widespread accounts of deaths and injuries on construction sites due to gravity-related injuries. The law has since evolved. It has adapted to new industry standards and judicial interpretation of these laws.
Labor Law § 240
Labor Law § 240 (1) requires: “ All contractors and owners and their agents,…, in the erection, demolition, repairing, altering, painting, cleaning or pointing of a building or structure shall furnish or erect, or cause to be furnished or erected for the performance of such labor, scaffolding, hoists, stays, ladders, slings, hangers, blocks, pulleys, braces, irons, ropes, and other devices which shall be so constructed, placed and operated as to give proper protection to a person so employed.” Although the statute’s language might appear complicated, the aim is clear. The employer and contractor are responsible for providing and complying with safety standards to protect those working at heights. Section 240 (1) of the Labor Law places the responsibility on the parties responsible for the job site’s safety. It creates a presumption of employer’s liability when a scaffold or ladder collapses or a construction worker falls from a height. The law also holds contractors and property owners responsible when a worker is injured by an object that falls on a construction site striking that person.
Call Us if You Have a Gravity Related Injury
Hach & Rose, LLP is dedicated to vigorously protecting the rights and interests of those who have been hurt on construction sites due to the negligence or recklessness of another party. With over 100 years of combined litigation experience, our construction injury attorneys are prepared to handle a broad variety of cases and to fight aggressively for the compensation our clients are due. Contact Hach & Rose, LLP at (212) 779-0057 for a free consultation.