Construction Overview

The owners and contractors of construction sites are in a position to provide safety protection for workers on their site. Because they are in that special position, they can be liable for injuries suffered by workers during construction. If you are injured while working on a construction site, the owner of the construction site may be liable for any injuries you suffer if they didn't take adequate precautions for ensuring your safety on the job.

New York State law provides that all contractors, owners, and their agents who engage in construction work must erect or furnish safety equipment and devices to give proper protection to the person employed for construction on the site. N.Y. C.L.S. § 240(1) (2003). "Construction" include erection, demolition, repairing, altering, painting, cleaning or pointing of a building or structure. Examples of safety devices include scaffolding, hoists, stays, ladders, slings, hangers, blocks, pulleys, braces, irons, ropes, and other devices that can be erected to provide protection to the worker. N.Y. C.L.S. § 240(1) (2003).

Furthermore, when scaffolding is used in the construction of a building, the contractor or owner must ensure that the scaffolding has a safety rail of suitable material rising at least 34 inches above the floor of the main portions of the scaffolding, extending along the entire length of the outside and the ends of the scaffolding. The scaffolding must also be secured to the building to prevent the scaffolding from swaying from the building. N.Y. C.L.S. § 240(2) (2003). Also, all scaffolding must be constructed to bear at least four times the maximum weight required in the use of the scaffolding. N.Y. C.L.S. § 240(3) (2003). For example, if the weight in use on the scaffolding is expected to be at most 1,000 lbs, the scaffolding must be designed to bear at least 4,000 lbs by the statute.

In all matters involving New York construction accident law it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, investigate the accident in question, and to file a lawsuit prior to the deadline imposed by the New York construction statute of limitations. If a loved one has been a victim of wrongful death in New York, contact us now, at (800) 456-6757 or CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A SIMPLE CASE FORM. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds. Don't delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the New York construction statute of limitations expires.

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