Fall Off A Ladder In NY? 2 Areas Of The Law Can Help.

Construction workers face serious dangers. One type of accident that can lead to serious injuries in this line of work involves falling off scaffolding and ladders. These tools help workers get to areas that are otherwise unreachable. These tools are a benefit to the work site when proper safety precautions are taken, but serious injuries can result when they are ignored.

Two specific areas of the law that can help those who are injured in a ladder fall include:

• Federal law. The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has a number of safety requirements regarding ladders. Examples include the requirement that ladders must be level and the rungs must be between 8 and 12 inches apart. Additional requirements are also present depending on whether the ladder is fixed or portable.
• State law. New York’s Scaffold Law (Labor Law §240) provides additional requirements. This includes the requirement that scaffolding be able to bear four times the maximum weight required to complete the job.

A failure to meet federal, state and local safety requirements is dangerous. A violation can result in monetary fines and other penalties. In many cases, a violation can also serve as evidence to establish that an employer was labile for an injury that results from the violation.

What if I am injured while working on a ladder or scaffolding system? Those who are injured are wise to seek legal counsel. An experienced construction accident litigation lawyer can review the details of the accident and provide counsel on potential legal remedies.