Falls from ladders, scaffolds, and elevated work platforms are among the most common causes of life-changing injuries on New York job sites. When a fall occurs because the “protection” did not actually protect you, New York law can shift accountability to those who controlled the worksite. A new appellate decision, Rojas v. 616 First Ave., LLC , (2026 NY Slip Op 00164) (2d Dept. Jan. 14, 2026), exemplifies how courts look beyond the label on a safety device and focus on what