As any New York City construction worker will tell you, construction is a difficult, and often dangerous, career. Construction injuries are all too common, with about one in ten10% of all construction workers sustaining an injury every year during the course of a year. Unfortunately, fatalities on construction sites fatalities are not unheard of also occur, with a worrying report of 22 New York City construction worker deaths reported in 2018. At Halperin and & Halperin PC, we have been represented ing construction workers and their loved ones in cases concerning construction-related injuries and fatalities in New York City for over forty years. If you need personal injury attorneys with a deep understanding of New York City construction site laws and regulations, contact us today.
Important New York City Construction Accident Statistics
The following sobering statistics on addressing New York City’s construction fatalities and injuries in New York City drive home the important necessity of following accepted safety standards while doing construction or soil work.
- Despite making up only 5% of New York City’s workforce, the construction industry accounts for 27% of all workplace injuries.
- Almost 25% of construction workers will sustain injuries while on a construction site during their career.
- New York State has a larger construction industry than any other in the United States, except California, Texas, and Florida.
- A large number (almost half) of all construction-related deaths are due to falls.
- 66% of NYC New York City construction site injuries occur in Manhattan.
- Between 2005 and 2015, an average of 16 construction work-related deaths occurred each year in New York City.
- Workers in New York City’s construction industry are five times more likely to be killed on the job than workers in other industries.
Overall, it seems that while construction deaths in New York City have been rising slightly, they have been decreasing across the state as a whole.
Common Causes for New York City Construction Accidents
Although safety regulations are in place to protect workers during construction projects, safety violations are common. Failure to follow recommended safety standards is a common cause of construction injuries and deaths. According to OSHA, the most common causes for construction worker fatalities are what they call referred to as the “fatal four.” These include:
- Falls
- Being struck by an object
- Electrocution
- Being caught in-between
But keep in mind that not all construction worker accidents lead to death, and the death rate is quite low compared to the rate of injuries sustained. A number of factors can cause construction work injuries:
- Ladder falls
- Uneven walking surface
- Hand tools
- Vehicles
- Worker position
- Construction equipment failure
As you can see, many occupational safety and health risks seem inherent to a career in construction. This explains why more construction workers were killed in New York City in 2018 than in any other profession, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Types of Injuries from New York City Construction Accidents
Injuries sustained while on construction sites can be as minor as a damaged nail to something more serious, such as a concussion, or as serious as a spinal cord injury. Common injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Joint injuries (e.g., twisted ankle)
- Burns
- Head or brain injuries (concussion)
- Electrocutions
- Eye damages
- Neck, shoulder, or back injuries
Remember that even minor-seeming injuries can end up being more serious than the victim first thought, so it is important to report even minor incidents right away.
Collecting Evidence After New York City Construction Accidents
If you sustain an injury while working on a construction site, your priority should be making sure that you are safe and receive necessary medical care. Be sure to save all medical records related to the incident and report the incident as soon as possible. Document everything you safely can, including taking pictures of the site if possible. The more evidence you collect, the more you will have to build a case with later if necessary be.
Laws and Regulations Protecting New York City Construction Workers
Several laws and regulations in NYC New York City aim to ensure that workers follow proper protection standards during construction projects, including:.
- Local Law 196 of 2017 requires construction workers to get 40 hours of safety training if working on certain projects
- The Department of Buildings has enacted over 25 laws pertaining to construction site safety
- New York Labor Law §240 ensures scaffolding safety
If you feel believe that a violation of one of these laws contributed to your injury, let us know, and we will be happy to discuss your options.
Accessing Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation exists to protect employees and their employers in the case of workplace accidents and illness. A workers’ compensation claim can help offset the costs of medical bills, time off work, and occupational therapy. In the case of workplace fatalities, it can help the employee’s family with funeral expenses. Not everyone injured in the workplace is entitled to compensation, however. For example, is an employee who receives injuries while violating company policy would not be entitled to workers’ compensation. Halperin & Halperin PC, based in New York City, can help you understand everything involved with a workers’ compensation claim, from filling out the paperwork to gathering required evidence.
What New York City Construction Accident Attorneys Can Do for You
Construction workers might know their way around construction sites, but that does not mean they are prepared when construction accidents strike. A personal injury case involves a lot, from making sure to report the injury in a timely way to collecting the necessary evidence to help prove what happened. Naturally, construction companies will do whatever they legally can to avoid paying workers for construction site accidents, so it might make sense to enlist the help of an experienced lawyer who can guide you through the process. A workplace personal injury lawyer, like those at Halperin & Halperin, P.C. can help walk you through the legal process, collect evidence, interview witnesses, and more to help make sure you have everything you need to present your version of events accurately. If you sustained construction-related injuries in New York City, this might be your first time going through this process; it can be helpful to enlist the aid of someone who has been through the procedure before.
Contact Us
Construction worker injuries can lead to sizeable medical bills and time missed from work, in addition to the associated pain and suffering that come along with accidents on job sites. The situation can often feel overwhelming, and it can be difficult to know where to start. That is where an experienced personal injury attorney can step in, guiding you through the legal process up to and including representing you in court. If you have sustained construction-related injuries in New York City, let us help you. We have represented thousands of clients, focusing our attention on cases centered around workplace injuries and accidents in New York City. Contact us for a free consultation.
