Worker Struck by Falling Steel Bar Gets Summary Judgment

A New York appellate court ruled that a worker struck by a falling steel bar should have been granted summary judgment on his Labor Law claim. Case: Valarezo v. HP Jamsta Housing Development Fund Co. Inc., No. 158491/17, 02/26/2026, published. Facts: Cristian Valarezo suffered injuries while he and his co-workers were making bases for concrete columns by using a drilling/excavation machine to remove steel bars that had been drilled into the ground. A fabric sling was tied to the top of the bars, a hook was placed into the sling, and the drilling/excavation machine lifted the bars away....