New York Legal Blog

Elevator Safety a Major Concern for Construction Workers

Elevator-related construction fatalities are increasing, according to a recent report by the Center for Construction Research and Training. The number of construction workers who have died while assembling or disassembling, repairing, maintaining or otherwise working around elevators has doubled between 2003 and 2016, which is the timetable that the report looked at. In 2003, 14 […]

How Construction Workers Are Being Exposed to Silica

For many years, construction has been universally accepted as one of the most dangerous occupations in the U.S. There are many ways workers can be injured, either catastrophically or over time. Exposure to silica – the mineral compound silicon dioxide – is found in two forms: crystalline andr noncrystalline “dust.” Like mesothelioma (asbestos poisoning), silicosis […]

Increase in Construction Worker Deaths Continues in New York State

Safety-wise in New York State, 2017 wasn’t as good a year as many involved in the construction industry had hoped for, according to the Annual Report for 2017 just published by the New York Committee on Occupational Safety & Health. But in the City, things were slightly less bleak. Across the state, 69 construction workers […]

Does Distracted Driving Cause More Serious Crashes?

A new report that has yet to be formally “released” is the latest and, by appearances, the most sobering yet on the evils of distracted driving – especially when our smartphones are the culprit. The study conducted by researchers at the Risk Institute at The Ohio State University in Columbus (OSU) found that distracted driving […]

Construction Worker Shortage Jeopardizing Workplace Safety

Without skilled construction workers, we wouldn’t have sturdy roofs over our heads or the highways, bridges and other infrastructure that are necessary to our everyday lives. Construction is important work that unfortunately is filled with safety risks. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, one in five on-the-job deaths are in the construction industry; […]

Lines Being Drawn in the Battle Between NYC and Rideshare Companies

The legal saga surrounding ridesharing companies continues as New York City becomes the first of its kind in the U.S. to halt new vehicle licenses for ride-hail app services such as Uber and Lyft, while it sets a minimum wage. The legislation, passed with virtually no opposition by the City Council, caps the number of for-hire vehicles for a year, giving the city time to thoroughly study this booming industry and create more permanent ordinances.

Concerns Continue in NYC over Sanitation Industry’s Safety Record

Fleets of privately-owned garbage trucks race through New York City’s streets every night. It’s clear to many onlookers that several of these vehicles are in poor repair. Some are routinely declared unsafe and pulled off the road by government regulators, only to resume their routes a few days later with dubious – if any – repairs being made.

New York Not Faring Well in Hospital Safety Rankings

New York hospitals rank among the worst in the nation when it comes to safety ratings, according to a nonprofit patient advocacy organization. Connecticut didn’t fare much better than New York, but New Jersey did noticeably better – finishing in the top 20. All this was in a new report on states’ hospital safety released in late April.