New York Labor Law 240, commonly referred to as the state’s scaffolding law, protects construction workers who fall or get struck by a falling object while working at a construction site. The law requires property owners and contractors to provide scaffolding and other safety equipment, such as hoists, ladders, ropes, and pulleys, to prevent workers from suffering construction accidents and injuries. Construction workers whose injuries fall under the scaffolding law can legally recover more compensation for damages than injuries that fall under ordinary negligence claims.
If you are an injured construction worker, the requirements that your accident and injuries must meet to fall under the scaffolding law include:
You must have been working on a structure legally defined as a building, which is broadly categorized under New York law.
If you worked on a single-family home or duplex, the scaffolding law does not apply unless owners took direct control of the construction project.
You must have been performing specific tasks, including alterations, erection, demolition, painting, cleaning, or putting safety measures in place.
It’s best to consult an experienced Queens construction accident lawyer who can review the facts of your accident and let you know if you qualify to bring a lawsuit under New York’s scaffolding law.