Industry Guide
New York's Scaffold Law: Why Labor Law §240 Makes NY Construction Insurance the Most Expensive in the US
New York Labor Law §240 — the Scaffold Law — imposes strict liability on owners and general contractors for elevation-related construction injuries, with no comparative negligence defense. The statute is unique to New York and drives general liability premiums on NY projects to multiples of what the same work would cost in any other state. For contractors bidding NY work, understanding §240 is the difference between a project that earns money and one that loses it to insurance costs alone.
Jordan Patel8 min read