No Labor Law Liability for Construction Worker With Back Injury

A New York appellate court ruled that a construction worker’s back injury from lifting a metal structure was not covered by the Labor Law. Case: Branch v. 1908 West Ridge Rd. LLC, No. 804 CA 20-01263, 11/12/2021, published. Facts: Shawntrell Branch injured his back while working to replace the roof at the Rochester Airport Marriott hotel. He was lifting a large metal structure so that his co-workers could apply new roofing material underneath. Procedural history: Branch filed suit against the Rochester Airport Marriott, EJ DelMonte Corp. and DelMonte Hotel Group, asserting a claim for...