Legal Help for Injured New York Utility Workers
Electrical Utilities • Water, Natural Gas and Sewer Lines • Cable TV
While few people think of utility workers as construction workers, in many cases New York's unique labor laws protect utility workers in the same way they protect roofers, ironworkers and other construction workers.
When utility workers work on structures such as utility poles, towers or buildings, they are covered by New York's unique "scaffolding" laws (Section 240 of New York Labor Law). Utility workers' who work in trenches — those working with water lines, natural gas or electric lines — are covered by New York "safe place to work" rules.
These laws provide broad protections and allow for a greater degree of compensation (above workers' compensation benefits) for injured workers, such as:
- Electrical high tension linemen
- Cable TV installers
- Natural gas workers and repairmen
- Water and sewer workers
The construction injury lawyers at Powers & Santola, LLP, have handled hundreds of New York construction accident cases. Contact our upstate New York law office to schedule a free consultation.
Utility Worker Injury: Do Special Labor Laws Apply to You?
Whether your injuries are covered under New York construction laws will depend upon how your accident occurred. An injury attorney at our firm can review the facts of your case and advise you if you qualify for financial recovery from a third party. No commitment, just free advice.
We have handled every type of construction accident claim, including:
- Electrical lineman and cable TV workers injured by falling from utility poles, from ladders that slide off wires, and from bucket trucks
- Water and sewer workers who suffer crush injuries or die from trench cave-ins
- Natural gas work crews or sewer or water work crews caught in natural gas explosions from underground gas lines
Who is Financially Liable?
Under New York's unique labor laws covering construction and construction-related workers, both the property owner and the contractor can be held financially responsible for accidents occurring on the property due to safety failures. While violations of New York safety laws must be investigated and proven, if no safety devices were provided to workers at all, New York law automatically assigns fault to the contractor and owner because of the safety violation.
An owner may attempt to avoid liability by saying they do not control the utility company or did not give permission to do the work. This is unlikely to be an effective defense because the statutes place responsibility on those named on the deed. The easement provider is always responsible.
Construction accident attorney Daniel Santola is widely recognized as having lectured other lawyers on New York state construction accident law for over 25 years. He has authored the most comprehensive textbook on this subject and has consistently been named one of the "Best Lawyers in America". For more than 25 years, he has been helping injured workers and the families of workers who died on the job. He has recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for workers and families.
Contact Us for a Free Case Evaluation
If you have been injured due to workplace safety violations, contact Powers & Santola to schedule a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.
