New York City, (New York Injury News) — Many people think that when a worker gets hurt on a construction job that compensation for their injuries is restricted to workers’ compensation benefits. Given the limited funds available through workers compensation, it is fortunate that this is not always the case in New York State.
New York law recognizes that construction work, as well as painting structures or cleaning windows from various heights, can be very dangerous. Our government has passed what are known as “Labor Laws” to protect workers by making property owners and general contractors responsible for providing proper equipment and safety devices. These laws are designed to protect workers from such things as falls from scaffolds and ladders, building collapses, falling objects, and other worksite hazards. Both the owner and the general contractor may be responsible for violations of these laws even if another contractor, such as the worker’s employer, were negligent.
For example, if the owner of an apartment building hires a company to paint the building, the owner is responsible for providing the painters with the proper equipment they need to safely perform the work. If a painter then falls from a scaffold or ladder because it was in an unsafe condition, the owner is liable for any injuries the worker suffers even if it was the employer’s scaffold and it was the employer who erected the scaffold. Why? Because the law demands that in such instances the owner take responsibility for providing the workers on its property with the protection they need and deserve. As a result, the injured worker would be entitled to both collect benefits from the worker’s compensation company and sue the building owner for money damages.
New York’s Labor Laws are very technical and complex and that is why you should make sure that if you or a family member or friend is hurt or killed while performing construction, painting or window cleaning work, that you attorneys experienced in this area of the law.
Get legal answers from leading panel of New York State Construction accident lawyers. Our expert panel consist of:
Nicholas Papain – New York Personal Injury Lawyer expert in construction site accidents and other general litigation matters Robert Sullivan – prominent construction site accident trial attorney Christopher McGrath – Leading New New York Personal Injury Lawyer / construction site accident matters as well as premises and municipal liability related litigationContributor – Nicholas Papain – New York Construction Accident Lawyer
