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New York's Scaffold Law Explained
New York Labor Law sections 240 and 241(6) — commonly called the "Scaffold Law" — give construction and demolition workers protections that go beyond an ordinary negligence claim. Where most injury cases require proving the other side failed to act reasonably, the Scaffold Law imposes something closer to absolute liability on owners and general contractors for elevation-related risks: falls from scaffolds and ladders, and injuries from falling objects.
That distinction matters. Under an ordinary negligence claim, a worker's own conduct can significantly reduce or eliminate recovery. Under Sections 240/241(6), that's generally not the case — if the required safety devices weren't provided or failed, the owner and general contractor can be held liable regardless of the worker's own care, in most situations.
- Falls from scaffolds, ladders, and elevated work surfaces
- Falling object accidents
- Near-absolute liability for owners and general contractors
- Applies regardless of the worker's own care, in most situations
- Covers most construction, demolition, and repair work
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Labor Law 240 different from an ordinary negligence claim?
It imposes near-absolute liability on owners and general contractors for elevation-related risks, rather than requiring the same proof of fault an ordinary negligence claim demands.
Who is covered under the Scaffold Law?
Workers engaged in construction, demolition, repair, painting, or similar elevation-related work on a covered site.
Does it matter if I wasn't given safety equipment?
It can be central to the claim — the absence or failure of required safety devices is often exactly what Sections 240/241(6) are designed to address.
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