Labor Law 240: What Injured Construction Workers in NY Need to Know

If you’re a construction worker in New York, you may have heard of something called Labor Law 240—often referred to as the “Scaffold Law.” This law gives special legal rights to workers who are injured in falls or by falling objects while doing construction, demolition, or repair work. It’s one of the strongest worker protection laws in the country, and if you’ve been hurt on a job site, it could play a big role in your case.

 

Who Labor Law 240 Protects

This law is designed to protect certain workers in high-risk trades, including:

- Construction workers

- Demolition crews

- Painters

- Electricians

- Masonry workers

- Window washers

 

It does not apply to everyone on a job site. For example, general maintenance workers or delivery drivers who happen to be present are typically not covered unless they’re directly involved in construction work.

 

When the Law Applies

Labor Law 240 applies when a worker is injured in a height-related accident, such as:

- Falling from a ladder, scaffold, roof, or raised platform

- Being struck by a falling object that should have been secured

- Accidents involving lifts, hoists, or other elevation equipment

 

The key is that the injury must be connected to gravity—either a fall from a height or something falling on the worker from above.

 

What Makes This Law Unique

Unlike a regular personal injury or workers’ compensation claim, Labor Law 240 holds building owners and contractors strictly liable when they fail to provide proper safety equipment for height-related work. That means if they didn’t give you a harness, a secure scaffold, or other protection—and you got hurt—they can be held responsible even if you made a mistake or didn’t follow certain procedures.

 

You May Be Entitled to More Than Workers’ Comp

Most injured workers assume that workers’ compensation is the only option. But under Labor Law 240, you may also be able to file a third-party lawsuit to recover additional damages—like full lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical care that workers’ comp doesn’t fully cover.

 

These cases can be complex, but they’re worth exploring. If you or a loved one were hurt in a construction accident in Deer Park, Brentwood, or anywhere in Suffolk County, it’s smart to speak with a lawyer who understands this area of the law. You may have more rights than you think—and more ways to recover what you’ve lost.