A New York City construction accident lawyer explains how workers are at an increased risk of fatal falls.
Construction worker fatalities are at a 5-year high. According to the most recently available federal data, in 2020, 308 construction workers died due to work conditions.
The leading cause of construction worker fatalities is "falling." Due, at least in part, to the city's many skyscrapers and tall buildings, New York City construction workers are at an increased risk of fatal falls.
Nationwide, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that about 35 percent of construction worker fatalities are due to falls.
Meanwhile, on average, more than half of construction worker deaths in NYC each year are due to falling. The most common fatal fall situations involve scaffolds, folding ladders, and roofs, according to NYC Health data.
Help for construction accident victims
Regardless of your field of work, no employee should have fear for their health and safety on the job. Construction can be dangerous, but proper precautions can substantially reduce risks.
You may be entitled to compensation if you were injured or a loved one died in a construction accident. Contact Keogh Crispi, P.C., for a free case consultation to learn more about your legal options and how a New York City construction accident attorney can help you.
Construction accident report highlights
The BLS report shining a light on the shocking 5-year high in fatal construction accidents delves into why and how these industry injuries and deaths occur. Here are some of the key points from the national report:
- About 62 percent of construction workers are exposed to heights of 5 feet or more. Yet, only 30 percent use sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) like safety harnesses and tethers.
- Falling is the leading cause of construction worker deaths. Still, other frequent contributors include electrocution, getting struck by or entangled in equipment, poisoning, motor vehicle accidents, fires, saw mishaps, and hyperthermia.
- Motor vehicle accident-related deaths have also reached a 5-year high, specifically for construction laborers. Nationwide, there were 75 construction worker deaths involving motor vehicles in 2020. However, it is worth noting that the number of fatalities decreased by more than 15 percent for workers with other construction industry jobs like foreman and machine operator.
- Safety violations regularly put construction workers at risk for severe injury or death. When investigating a construction worker's death, the most common violations the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cites include lack of training, improper fall protection, scaffold accidents, stair and ladder hazards, unsafe electrical equipment, and lack of proper PPE.
Injured in a New York City construction accident? Contact Keogh Crispi to see how an experienced attorney can help you.
Construction accident victims and the families of fatal construction accidents may be entitled to compensation, but the process of obtaining what you actually deserve won't be easy.
If you were injured or a loved one died in a construction accident, it's important to know your legal rights.
Don't wait for the statute of limitations to expire or for critical evidence to fade away. We are available to hear from you anytime, day or night. Contact Keogh Crispi, P.C., to schedule your free case evaluation right now.