The Debate Continues Over the Scaffold Law In New York

There is no doubt that construction is an inherently dangerous job. New York construction workers are no exception to the dangers they face every day on the job at construction sites. In fact, the building boom that has led to a frenzy of construction has come at a sobering cost. In the last two years, the number of workers injured and killed in construction accidents has surged. Approximately 324 workers were injured last year, a jump of 53 percent. The Buildings Department recorded 314 accidents over all, an increase of 52 percent from the year before.

Despite the dangerous conditions that New York construction workers face while on the job, they can take solace knowing that the Scaffold Law will enable them to obtain the legal protection they deserve in the event of an accident. Given the importance of protecting thousands of construction workers, the Scaffold Law continues to remain amidst much debate in Albany.

The Call to Safeguard the Scaffold Law

Recently, the advocacy group known as the Western New York Council on Occupational Safety and Health, or WNYCOSH, released a report contending that the Scaffold Law remains essential in protecting construction workers. This call to safeguard the law renewed the long-standing debate between unions and builders.

The nonprofit safety group chose to put a spotlight on the construction industry through their report because of the large number of projects underway locally. The report was also a response to the construction and insurance industries’ push to severely weaken the Scaffold Law.

The Scaffold Law is designed to cover gravity-related construction site accidents. According to the safety group, maintaining the law is important based in part on its review of federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) construction inspections, which revealed that there aren’t enough inspectors for OSHA to do its job effectively, and the fact that penalties don’t have enough impact on employers.

The Scaffold Law Works

Maintaining the New York Scaffold Law strong is an important means in protecting the individuals who risk their lives every day to build New York’s infrastructure. The law is an effective means in holding employers responsible for any job-safety violation. It allows injured workers to sue their negligent employers for violations. This is important because other fines are not significant enough to be an incentive for employers to follow the law.

We Can Help

If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction site accident, you need to hire an attorney who knows the law and can aggressively fight to get you the full extent of the compensation that you deserve. The New York construction accident attorneys at Gersowitz, Libo & Korek, P.C. understand the ramifications that construction accidents have on victims. Senior partner and lead trial attorney Jeff S. Korek grew up in the construction industry and has first hand knowledge of the inherent dangers in this occupation. Our team is ready to fight for you and your family during this difficult time.

For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our New York construction accident attorneys, please call 1-800-529-9997.