NY Labor Law 240: Scaffolding and Ladder Laws

NY Labor Law 240: Scaffolding and Ladder Laws

Nearly 2.3 million construction-related workers spend part of their time on scaffolds each day. According to the US Department of Labor , this represents 65 percent of the industry’s workforce. Scaffold falls contribute to 40 percent of all work-related deaths in the US Many more people suffer injuries and life-changing conditions as a result of these scaffolding incidents. At Siler & Ingber, LLP, our goal is to help you obtain the compensation you are owed after such an event occurs.

Construction workers have rights

Every worker has the legal right to have a safe place to work. Employers are responsible for providing this type of environment. Construction work environments tend to be the most challenging places to stay safe due to the many risks and dangerous tasks associated with this job. However, there are several laws that aim to protect workers in these situations. In New York, Section 240 of the Labor Law deals specifically with scaffolding and ladder-related falls.

This law provides workers with protection against injury and death from falls/falling objects. Workers have the right to recover damages after these types of injuries occur on a construction site. It applies to:

  • Construction workers who fall from elevated platforms (such as ladders, scaffolding, or boards)
  • Construction workers injured by falling objects from any height.

New York scaffold law provides some of the most important liability protections for construction workers. Provides coverage where other laws do not. Specifically, this law imposes absolute liability. It applies directly to the owner or his agent in the incident. If a worker falls, suffers damages and losses, and goes to court, the case will focus solely on the amount of damages to be awarded.

Challenges of the Scaffolding Law.

Because of how intense and absolute this law is, that employees who fall must be compensated, it is one of the most difficult cases to bring to court. These cases are highly controversial and almost always end up in appellate court. For this reason, having a well-established case and an aggressive attorney is critical.

What are the requirements of labor law 240?

The following requirements must be met before the law can be applied to a case:

structures

The law does not apply to homeowners or contractors working on one- or two-family homes. Specifically, this law does not apply when the owner does not have control over the work. If the homeowner directs the work and an incident occurs, then the homeowner may be liable.

This law applies directly to larger homes (more than three families), as well as all commercial buildings and apartments.

Work done to the structure.

The law only applies if the work is done on the structure itself and not on other items (such as trees). All types of structures are covered by this requirement, including tunnels, cars, ships, bridges, garages, and buildings.

Also, the type of work matters. Labor Law 240 only applies if there is demolition, cleanup, structure construction, alteration, painting, signage, and/or repair. This also includes erecting scaffolding, ladders, braces, and other devices.
The law only applies to the construction, not to the decoration, maintenance, or fabrication of the structure. Here are some examples of jobs that do not apply:

  • The installation of Christmas decorations.
  • Cleaning by maintenance staff.
  • Change light bulbs or manipulate the cleaning of the ceiling.
  • Installation of air conditioning filters or other routine maintenance.
  • Inspection of construction works.

The Rule of Gravity

Labor Law 240 also protects workers from the dangers associated with gravity. In other words, gravity caused the individual or an object to fall.

  • Working at heights where an injury occurs, but not a fall, does not qualify
  • A worker’s thermos falls off the scaffold and is not applied because this instance is the result of carelessness, not scaffold failure.

As you can see, these laws are very extensive, and obtaining accountability for them can be challenging. As a result of this, it is important for people to seek the support of an attorney. There are many steps necessary to ensure that you receive the compensation you are owed in scaffolding and ladder injuries.

Schedule a FREE Case Review on your NY Scaffolding Accident

People who sustain injuries from falling ladders or scaffolding in New York while working may be eligible for compensation. However, proving your injuries and losses can be challenging. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you work with the experienced liability compensation attorneys at Siler & Ingber, LLP. To learn how we will help you receive the compensation you deserve, call us for a free case review at 877-718-6079 or use our online contact form for more information.

Related information

Share this post

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.

PROMOTION PERIOD: The Siler & Ingber Mineola MegaStar Contest begins on March 20, 2023 at 12:00 am ET and
ends on May 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET.

ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible, a MegaStar must be a legal U.S. resident at least 16 years of age as of date of
Nomination. A Mineola MegaStar is defined as a person who lives or works in Mineola and is admired or idealized for their courage, dedication, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. By participating, Entrants agree to be
bound by the official rules. Sponsors reserve the right to verify and determine eligibility in their sole discretion.

TO PARTICIPATE: During the Promotion Period, Siler & Ingber will accept from the members of the public (herein, the “Nominators”) nominations of Eligible Entrants (Mineola Megastars) who live or works in Mineola. Nominations may be entered by visiting www.nylawnet.com/mineolamegastar and completing the online form and essay submission or by emailing photo and essay to marketing@nylawnet.com during the Promotion Period to receive one (1) entry. Essay must not exceed 500 words. Acceptable essay formats are word documents or pdf ONLY. Nominations submitted without all required information or after the Promotion Period will be disregarded.
Online submissions must be received by May 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET to be eligible. All entries become the exclusive property of Siler & Ingber and will not be acknowledged or returned.

ESSAY: During the promotion period, an Entrant can nominate a Mineola MegaStar for the contest by submitting a
photo and essay. The essay must describe why the individual should be chosen as the award winner, including how the individual demonstrates some or all of the following qualifications:

1) an inspiring example to others by helping make Mineola a better place to live (through volunteerism, extra-curricular actives, special projects, giving back, etc.)

2) going above and beyond to aid a friend, family member, stranger or community in a time of need; and/or

3) love of profession and desire, determination and diligence to help outside of normal job responsibilities. The essay must be in English and no more than 500 words. All information provided must be truthful, accurate and complete. An Entrant cannot nominate more than one Hero.

Submitted Materials: Each essay must satisfy all the following submission requirements the Submission


Requirements:

· The essay must be the original creation of Entrant.

· The essay must not portray any recognizable individual without their prior consent, including consent from the
Hero.

· Entrant must either own all rights to the essay or otherwise have the right to submit the essay in the contest and to provide the rights to Sage Surfaces as set forth herein.

· The essay must not infringe any third party’s intellectual property rights.

· The essay may not contain illegal, indecent, obscene, pornographic, or sexually explicit content, or otherwise offensive material or inappropriate content such as aberrational behavior, graphic violence, drug abuse, or nudity.

· The essay must not promote bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age.

· The essay must be non-defamatory and must not invade any third party’s right of privacy or publicity.

· The essay must otherwise be appropriate for publication or broadcast or display on a general interest website.

By submitting an essay, each Entrant represents and warrants that the essay meets all of the submission
requirements and that the distribution, reproduction, display and any other uses of any part of the essay by Siler & Ingber as permitted herein will not infringe any third-party rights. Each Entrant further agrees to indemnify and hold Siler & Ingber harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, damages, costs, liabilities and causes of action of whatsoever nature that are based upon or arise out of any breach by such Entrant of such warranties or representations made by contestant or of these official rules.

By submitting an essay, Entrant grants to Siler & Ingber a non-exclusive, perpetual, world-wide, royalty-free license (and waives all moral rights in and to the essay) to display or otherwise use the essay in connection with this promotion and as set forth herein. If Siler & Ingber determines, in its sole discretion and at any time during the promotion period, that any nomination violates the submission requirements, is otherwise unsuitable, offensive, or in poor taste, or violates these official rules, Siler & Ingber reserves the right to remove and disqualify the essay. Siler & Ingber retains sole
discretion as to whether any nomination satisfies the submission requirements and the official rules.

WINNER SELECTION: For the entry period, a panel of judges will select potential Mineola Megastar finalists based on the compelling nature of the essay based on the criteria set forth herein. Top 5 entries will be announced on May 10, 2023. We will post the top 5 on social media. Final winner announced May 15, 2023. Award Ceremony for Mineola MegaStar will take place on May 19, 2023.


WINNER NOTIFICATION AND RELEASES: We will attempt to notify potential winners via telephone and/or email. If a potential winner: (a) does not respond within 48 hours of initial notification attempt; (b) is not in compliance with these official rules, (c) does not meet the eligibility requirements, (d) declines the prize, he or she will be disqualified, and an alternate winner will be selected by applying the criteria set forth above.
PRIZES: There is 1 Mineola MegaStar. Winner will receive a $500 Cash Prize.

PUBLICITY AND MARKETING: Submission of a nomination in the contest constitutes permission to Siler & Ingber to use Entrants name, identity, title, likeness, distinctive appearance, physical likeness, image, portrait, picture, photograph (whether still or moving), screen persona, voice, vocal style, statements, gesture, mannerism, personality, performance characteristic, biographical data, signature, social media handles and identities, and any other indicia or imitation of identity or likeness for purposes of advertising and trade, in any medium, without further notice, approval, or compensation, unless prohibited by law.

PRIZE RESTRICTIONS: No transfer, assignment, sale, duplication, cash redemption or substitution of Prize (or portion of Prize) is permitted, except by Sponsors, which reserve the right to substitute a Prize (or applicable portion of Prize) with one of comparable or greater value, as determined by Sponsors. Sponsors are not responsible for and will not replace a lost or stolen Prize or any component thereof. All Prize details are at Sponsors’ sole and absolute discretion. Non-compliance with these Official Rules may result in disqualification and, at Sponsors’ sole discretion, the awarding of Prize to an alternate winner.

VERIFICATION OF OFFICIAL WINNER: ALL PRIZE WINNERS ARE SUBJECT TO ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION BY SPONSORS, WHOSE DECISIONS ARE FINAL AND BINDING IN ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE CONTEST.

Do I Have A Case

    Skip to content