The New York lawyers at Block O’Toole & Murphy have frequently discussed worker safety laws in this space. Often, the opponents of New York’s worker safety laws try to portray a parallel they claim exists between strong worker safety protections and a lack of construction development. New York City has shown this argument to be patently false.
A recent article in the New York Daily News has highlighted the recent surge in construction activity that has taken place in New York City. In fact, the article described the activity as returning to the boom-time levels of 2007 and 2008. Recent forecasts for construction spending suggest that nearly $33 billion will be spent on construction in 2014 alone. That represents a 17% increase from the lofty levels that were reached in 2013.
Is this a one-year blip? The same projections include a whopping forecast for 2015 and 2016, with both years expected to topple 35 billion in construction spending. Amazingly, this all occurred during a period where New York worker safety laws have gone unchanged.
Why is this a concern for New Yorkers? In Albany, lawmakers are frequently confronted by a opponents of New York’s worker safety laws. These opponents suggest that New York construction is suffering as a result of the laws that promote worker safety. The data show these arguments as to be specious and patently false.
Our position has consistently been that watering down worker safety laws will accomplish little more than increasing the likelihood that hard-working men and women will face increased perils when they go to work every day. In turn, there will be an increase in serious construction accidents which result in serious physical injury and death. The real reason behind eliminating or reducing worker safety laws is to further line the pockets of insurance companies and wealthy developers.
If you ever feel like arguing with an opponent of worker safety laws, this article is a useful tool. The business of construction in New York has never been stronger and we have accomplished that while preserving New York’s strong worker safety laws.
Block O’Toole & Murphy is a law firm committed to fighting for the rights of construction workers. The lawyers at this firm seek to promote worker safety laws and protect New York’s workers. We have long been a friend to the construction industry, helping workers inside and outside of the courtroom. Our results for injured workers are second to none.
The firm has recovered more than $800 million in verdicts and settlements for our injured clients. In fact, according to the Jury Verdict Reporter, New York Magazine and The New York Law Journal, the firm has been able to report more million-dollar and up results than any other law firm in New York State during the years 2012 and 2013. If you want to learn more about these construction accident lawyers you may review the firm website at www.BlockOToole.com. You may also call 212-736-5300 for a free consultation.
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