A New York City Construction Accident Attorney Discusses
This summer, the New York City buildings department discovered thousands of violations in an organized blitz on the city's construction sites and work zones.
Dubbed "Zero Tolerance," the goal was to promote awareness and ramp-up enforcement of worker safety laws and standards.
New York City job sites have become increasingly dangerous, leading to a spike in injured construction workers. It was a string of construction worker deaths that resulted in 1,500 stop-work orders and led organizers to launch Zero Tolerance.
In total, the NYC Department of Buildings inspected more than 7,440 construction sites and issued 3,666 violations from June 1 through August.
Zero Tolerance utilized surprise investigations to get a better understanding of work conditions. Inspectors focused their attention on safety.
Construction Worker Risks
For employees, construction is one of the top five most dangerous industries in which to work. There are four main sources of serious and fatal accidents at a construction worksite, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). These are:
- Falls
- Electrocution
- Hit by object
- Entrapment
Some Sectors Are More Dangerous Than Others
Some construction workplaces and jobs put employees at a higher risk than others. Within construction, the sectors that face the highest rates of injury involve:
- Residential buildings
- Water and sewer lines
- Framing
- Masonry
- Roofing
- Poured concrete foundation
- Plumbing, heating, and air cooling
- Drywall and insulation
- Finishing
NYC Efforts To Improve Worksite Safety
New York City has been aware of its construction safety problem for a long time and has made efforts to address it including stricter licensing and supervision requirements and more worker education. There have also been campaigns to identify and take action against fraud and unsafe work conditions within the industry.
Still, one of the biggest risks for city construction workers is falling. Falls account for almost 60% of NYC construction worker deaths, according to data from the city. The most common type of fall is to drop from a scaffold, followed by falling off a ladder or roof.
Legal Help For Injured Construction Workers
When a construction worker is injured on the job in New York City, they can apply for workers' compensation benefits. In some cases, injured workers may also be able to pursue a third-party personal injury lawsuit against a negligent subcontractor, servicing agency, or defective parts manufacturer that contributed to or caused the accident.
While workers' comp provides funds for accident-related medical costs and some wages, it often does not cover the installation of disability equipment, diminished earning potential, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment, and associated treatment costs like travel, child care, and hotels.
If you were injured in a New York City work accident, contact Keogh Crispi, P.C. to get a clear understanding of your legal rights and options. Our attorneys have the knowledge and experience to identify all potential sources of compensation and will aggressively advocate for your best interests throughout the entire process.
Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced NYC construction accident lawyer. We're available 24/7 and would be honored to talk to you about your potential legal case.