New York Labor Law 240 and Scaffolding Accidents
New York Labor Law 240 governs injuries that occur in any work site that requires workers to be at elevated heights. It is commonly referred to as the “scaffold law.”
The property owner, the general contractor, a subcontractor, or other individual may be responsible for injuries to workers who fall from equipment (scaffolds, ladders, etc.) that is faulty, poorly maintained, collapsed, or not the right equipment for the job. This Labor Law also covers injuries that result from objects that fall or that are dropped and injure someone below. In short, if gravity is involved you may have a case.
Attorney Michael Donlon, an experienced trial attorney at our office, focuses on Labor Law injury claims. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Attorney Donlon worked in the trades as an IBEW electrician obtaining Journeyman Status with the Elmira based International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers L.U. 139. Attorney Donlon’s personal experience with construction sites and his extensive OSHA training make him an extremely valuable asset to have on your legal team.
Here are some of the most common types of New York construction accidents we have helped injured workers with over the years:
- Falls
- Struck by falling object
- Cave-ins
- Scaffolding collapse
- Crane accident
- Equipment failure
- Improper Tools/Equipment
Third Party Work Place Accidents
In New York State, the Workers’ Compensation Law generally bars injured workers from bringing a lawsuit claim against their employer. However, injured employees may file what are known as “third party” lawsuits against other entities that have caused an injury to a worker.
Examples of these types of claims include:
- Motor Vehicle Accident While On the Job
- Electrocution Injuries
- Asbestos / Mesothelioma
- Lead Poisoning
- Defective Equipment (including farm equipment)
- Toxic Mold / Exposure
- Sexual Assault in the Workplace
