What to Know About Common Construction Accidents in New York
The construction industry remains to be the most hazardous industry in the U.S., where workers face a wide variety of health and safety risks daily. According to the NY Department of Buildings (DOB) latest Construction Safety Report, there were 485 construction accidents that resulted in injuries and deaths in 2020. Also, there were 24 construction worker deaths in NYC last reported in 2019, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
No construction site is ever the same, and regardless of experience, construction workers are used to facing new safety obstacles with every new construction site they work on. It’s common for construction workers to work with heavy equipment and at elevated heights.
Likewise, most construction workers only work on a short-term basis and may work on different tasks from one job site to another job site, encountering unfamiliar working conditions and construction equipment. All these increases the risk of construction workers suffering from various construction accidents, such as:
- Falls from scaffolding or high heights: Construction workers typically work at extremely high heights, such as on ladders and scaffolding. The higher the fall, the higher risk of serious injuries or death.
- Getting stuck in between construction materials, objects, or equipment: Construction sites are usually littered with all sorts of heavy machinery, materials, tools, and equipment. In some cases, construction workers may find themselves caught in between immovable machinery, tools, or fallen debris.
- Explosions and Fires: Due to incomplete or poorly installed electrical systems, leaking gases, and unfinished piping, explosions and fires are common causes of construction accidents.
- Falling debris, objects, and materials: On construction sites with multiple levels, it’s unfortunately common for falling debris, materials, and tools to fall on construction workers.
- Electrocutions: Because construction sites are unfinished and incomplete spaces, there are usually exposed power lines, wiring, and electrical systems everywhere. Accidental contact with these hazards could result in shock or electrocution.
- Heavy Machinery Accidents: From nail guns and jackhammers to bulldozers, cranes, and forklifts, improper or reckless use of these machines could be extremely dangerous.
- Trench Collapse: In the unfortunate event that a trench collapses while workers are inside, it could result in the workers being struck by materials, equipment, or tools or getting buried in the dirt.
Get Legal Help from an Experienced NYC Construction Accident Lawyer
When construction workers suffer on-the-job injuries, aside from negatively affecting their health and income, it also poses various challenges for their families. Serious construction accident injuries could result in costly medical expenses and lost earnings if the worker’s injuries keep them from working.
Stories of injured construction workers and deaths consistently populate the news. This highlights the need for the state to proactively create and enforce proper protections for all construction workers and impose stricter penalties for parties who violate construction safety rules.
If you suffered injuries in a construction accident in NYC or a family member was killed while working as a construction worker, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman P.C. You can set up a free consultation of your case with our skilled NYC construction accident lawyer by calling 212-285-3300 or contacting us online.
