Dive Brief:

• In New York, a state law says that an employer is required to pay all the costs involved if a construction worker is injured in a fall, regardless of how much responsibility the employer is deemed to have for the accident.
• The law, known as the "Scaffold Law," is seen by supporters as necessary protection for workers and by opponents as a business-killer.
• Contractors say costs for insurance have gone way up because of the law and that some insurers simply will not do business in the Empire State because there is no way their customers can lessen liability if an accident does happen.

Dive Insight:

New York has long been a state where unions wield influence with lawmakers, and employers who would like to see the law changed say a combination of influence from workers and trial lawyers makes sure no reform efforts get anywhere in Albany. Unions argue that anything to lessen contractors' liability would mean less emphasis on safety. Contractors say the bottom line is for everyone to go home safely at the end of the day regardless.