Critics Say it’s Time New York Ends 1885 Scaffold Law

There is a renewed push to scrap a unique New York state law that makes property owners and contractors liable for most “gravity-related” injuries to workers on construction sites.

Some government agencies and contractors say the 1885 Scaffold Law doubles the cost of insurance compared to other states. And they say it hits taxpayers by adding hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars, to the cost of every public project.

New York is the only state left with such a law. Others have replaced it with less costly federal workers’ compensation insurance, which requires workers to give up their right to sue.

Opponents of New York’s law say taxpayers can no longer afford the required liability insurance on public projects and jobs are being lost.