Construction Injury Attorney, Buffalo, New York (NY) - Labor Law
Rochester, New York (NY) Lawyer Helping Construction Accident Victims
New York State has a statute that provides special legal protection to workers while working at heights. Two reasons for this are (1) the severity of the injuries that result from elevated falls, and (2) construction workers rely on the project owner, general contractor, construction/project manager, etc. to provide a safe working environment. They are primary responsibility to make sure that the elevated work location is safe.
The statute is Labor Law Section 240, also know as the "Scaffold Law." The law places responsibility for your fall from a height on the third party, if the third party failed to furnish proper or non-defective safety devices to guard against the risks. A third party can be the project owner, general contractor, or others. It is the responsibility of the third party to provide whatever safety lines, harnesses, guardrails, etc., are necessary to guarantee your safety while you are working at an elevation.
The "Scaffold Law" also places responsibility on the third party if you are injured by an object that falls from a height because of improper hoisting or securing. Other types of falls from elevated heights can qualify for this law's protection as well.
When establishing responsibility for a fall, your fault, if any, is minor, unless you refused to follow clear directions (i.e., if you started a fight that led to your fall or if you refused to use an appropriate safety device).
If you or a loved one has suffered from a construction injury, call us now at 1-800-621-2020 or contact us.
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