The four top causes of fatal construction accidents in New York are falls, struck-by an object, electrocution, and caught-in/between accidents. The New York Committee for Occupational Safety & Health (NYCOSH) reports that there have been more than 20 fatalities on construction sites since 2013.
If you were seriously injured in a construction accident or a family member suffered a fatality, you might be entitled to compensation. Reach out to us at Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb & Green to speak with a New York construction accident lawyer. For over 50 years, we have helped individuals and their families who suffered on-the-job injuries or a fatality in and around New York City. We fight to recover fair monetary damages from negligent construction companies and their insurers.
Falls
Falls are the leading cause of fatal construction site accidents. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), they are usually caused by a lack of guardrails, support giving way, insufficient fall protection, and improper worker training. In addition, falls could result from scaffolds, roofs, or ladders. Serious injuries could even occur from a fall on ground level.
Struck-by Objects
OSHA reports that approximately 75% of struck-by fatalities involve trucks or cranes. If vehicle safety practices are not observed at the site, construction workers risk being pinned between vehicles and walls. Other causes include falling or flying objects and constructing masonry walls. The latter is especially dangerous because of the heavy loads that have to be supported.
Caught-in/Between Accidents
The term “caught-in/between accidents” refers to any injury that involves a construction worker being crushed between, inside, or under heavy objects or machinery. For example, a worker could be crushed by machinery or debris caused by collapsing or unsupported trenches. Workers can also suffer a fatality by being crushed between two or more moving vehicles or objects.
Electrocution
The fourth and final entry in this list is electrocution. While less common than the other three entries on this list, electrocution is a danger on most construction sites. It typically occurs from contact with live wires. This contact could result from improper safety measures, or it could be the result of defective equipment. This wiring could be underground or within the structure of a building.
Talk to an attorney about your construction accident case
If a loved one or family member were involved in a fatal accident, holding negligent construction companies or property owners accountable is challenging, but our team at Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb & Green is here to help.
We are prepared to serve as your advocate while pursuing fair compensation on your behalf. Our firm understands what it takes to pursue legal action following a catastrophic construction accident. Our initial consultation is always free. In addition, we work on a contingency basis, so there are no upfront legal fees.
