Construction Accidents by the Numbers
According to 2019 data from the BLS:
- Slips, trips, and falls accounted for 24 fatal work injuries in NYC, up 17 percent from the previous year
- Within the construction industry, 6 of the 24 work-related fatalities resulted from contact with equipment/objects, and 4 resulted from exposure to harmful environments/substances
- Men were, by far, the most likely to be involved in a fatal workplace incident, accounting for 89 percent of all work-related deaths in NYC
- In New York City, 32 percent of people who died in workplace accidents or due to working conditions were Hispanic or Latino
- Nearly half (49 percent) of work-related fatalities in New York City occurred among people between the ages of 25 and 54
At Wolf & Fuhrman LLP, we represent all types of construction workers who have been injured in all types of work-related incidents, including serious falls, slips and trips, caught-between accidents, struck-by incidents, machine entanglement, electrocution, burns, and more. We also represent families who have lost loved ones in filing wrongful death claims and/or lawsuits. We are proud to assist hard-working individuals from all walks of life, including undocumented workers, self-employed contractors, subcontractors, and other New Yorkers injured due to the careless or wrongful conduct of others.
On This Page:
- What are the Most Common Construction Accidents and Injuries?
- How Do Most Construction Accidents Happen?
- What to Do if You Were Injured in a Construction Accident
What Are the Most Common Construction Accidents & Injuries?
Within the construction industry, some accidents and injuries are more common than others. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) refers to these as the “fatal four.”
The “fatal four” hazards in the construction industry include:
- Falls, including falls to lower levels and slip, trip, and falls
- Being caught in or between objects, equipment, or structures
- Being struck by falling objects, equipment, or debris
- Electrocution from powerlines, electric tools, etc.
These types of incidents lead to numerous catastrophic injuries and deaths among construction workers every year. However, they are not the only dangers construction workers face.
Some other common construction accidents and injuries include:
- Explosions and fires, leading to severe burn injuries
- Machine entanglement/equipment accidents
- Structure collapses, such as trench cave-ins
- Crane, forklift, and other vehicle accidents
- Scaffolding and ladder accidents
- Exposure to harmful environments, chemicals, or substances
- Elevator shaft accidents
- Repetitive stress injuries/overuse or overexertion
- Back, neck, and shoulder injuries caused by heavy lifting
- Head and brain injuries resulting from falls
These and other construction-related accidents and injuries can have devastating effects. Victims may be permanently disabled, meaning they cannot return to work and continue earning a living for themselves and for their families.
How Do Most Construction Accidents Happen?
Most construction accidents are preventable, meaning they only occur because someone else was careless or acted wrongfully. Frequently, these incidents happen when safety standards are not met.
According to OSHA, the most common causes of work-related accidents nationwide in 2020 (in construction and similar industries) were:
- Improper fall protection
- Lack of proper fall protection training
- Inadequate face and eye protection
- Inadequate respiratory protection
- Failure to properly communicate hazards
- Unsafe scaffolding and ladders
- Improper control (lockout/tagout) of hazardous energy
- Improper machine guarding
- Unsafe or defective machinery
- Incidents involving powered industrial trucks
Wolf & Fuhrman LLP can help determine the cause of your construction injury, as well as who is legally responsible for your resulting medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, lost enjoyment of life, and other damages. We leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of full and favorable compensation for our clients. We will coordinate our representation with workers’ compensation counsel, who will help ensure that medical and lost wage payments keep money coming in and allow for proper healthcare and treatment, as dictated by your circumstances.
What to Do If You Were Injured in a Construction Accident
If you have been injured in a construction accident in the Bronx or anywhere in New York City, you could have several options when it comes to recovering compensation. You may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, which pay medical expenses, wage replacement, and, in some cases, vocational rehabilitation-related costs.
You could also be able to file a third-party work injury claim. This is essentially a personal injury claim, allowing you to seek compensation from the person or party that carelessly or wrongfully caused your injuries. If you are covered by workers’ compensation, you generally cannot sue your employer after a work-related injury. However, you could have a third-party claim against a building or property owner, the general contractor on the job, a manufacturer of a defective product, an uninsured contractor, or another party.
Many workers are protected if they suffer fall-from-height injuries in New York while working on any building other than a one- or two-family home. Many workers in construction, excavation, and demolition have added protections as well, as do workers employed in elevator shafts and stairwells. Our attorneys are familiar with all relevant labor laws and know how to utilize these laws to help you recover the just compensation you deserve and are owed for your injuries and resulting damages.
What Wolf & Fuhrman LLP Can Do For You
While you're healing from your injury, we'll take care of the details. Our Bronx construction lawyers can look into the most complicated aspects of your accident with no hassle for our clients. We can:
- Gather all documents, files, photos, paperwork, etc.
- Help you fill out paperwork and file for anything you need
- Investigate your accident
- Establish the severity of your injury
- If necessary, build your case for trial
We encourage you to reach out to our team at Wolf & Fuhrman LLP as soon as possible. Our experienced construction accident lawyers in the Bronx can review the details of your case during a completely free and confidential consultation. We are available to answer any questions you may have and provide the information you need to move forward.
