There is little doubt that construction workers perform some of the most dangerous jobs in New York City. Even though New York labor laws are rather strict and require employers, owners and general contractors to provide safe working conditions to every worker, accidents still happen, which means dozens of construction workers die on job sites all over the city, with thousands more suffering injuries that are painful and often permanent and life-changing.
The good news is, construction-related injuries and deaths have been declining somewhat in New York City recently. The bad news is the rate at which accidents occur here is still far too high. Only five percent of all employees in New York City are construction workers, yet the sector makes up 27 percent of workers who are injured every year.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 3.4 out of every 100 full-time construction workers suffered an injury while on the job in 2015. In 2018, 746 construction accidents occurred in New York City, resulting in 12 fatalities. These numbers all indicate the serious dangers that put construction workers in New York City at serious risk.
There is no argument that working on any construction site comes with a number of inherent risks, but all employers have an obligation to reduce that risk to the extent possible.
Unfortunately, it is all too common for careless behaviors and actions to be displayed on many construction worksites; the kind of carelessness that makes them very dangerous and lead to serious accidents. This is why we make sure our construction accident attorneys are prepared to advocate for our clients in all types of construction accident cases, including, but not limited to, the following:
It is not unusual for workers to use heavy equipment and materials at great heights. If these materials are not properly secured, there is a substantial risk that they will fall and injure someone below. Even with the proper safety equipment, such as a hard hat, a worker risks possible head, neck, or back injuries if they are hit by a falling object.
Scaffolding is among the most common sources for injuries at construction worksites, even though there have been published standards for decades. Scaffolding must be properly constructed and maintained in order to ensure that it is safe to use. If OSHA standards and manufacturers’ requirements are not carefully followed, it can lead to devastating accidents that may cause serious and sometimes permanent injuries or even death.
Cranes are among the largest pieces of equipment on a construction site, and the one that must be set up, maintained, and operated correctly in order to be used safely. Although they are an essential part of many construction projects, they can lead to serious accidents if their cargo falls or if the cranes collapse altogether.
If construction worksites are not properly maintained and managed, the inherent risks workers face can become even more pronounced. All construction employers should make sure all job sites take proper safety precautions, provide the latest and best safety equipment, and also provide comprehensive safety training to all employees.
Many construction sites rely heavily on vehicles of all kinds as a significant part of the construction process. Whether you are using an excavator, a bulldozer, or a simple pickup truck, there are always risks to operating these vehicles and working near them. Far too often, careless errors or improper training leads to serious accidents involving vehicles. Workers should always be trained to avoid moving vehicles and all pathways should be clearly marked.
As noted, these are among the most common accidents that occur on construction sites. However, these are just a sample of the types of accidents that occur. Many other dangers lurk at virtually every construction site, and any one of them may have led to your accident.
It is important to know that most cases require that a defendant to be negligent (or at fault) before being held liable/responsible. With construction accidents, however, New York has established important statutory protections for construction workers known as “Labor Laws”.
These important statutory protections often provide recourse for an injured construction worker against OWNERS and GENERAL CONTRACTORS on the job site – even in the absence of any actual negligence on their part! By putting the onus on these parties, the New York legislature offers often extraordinary protection to construction workers. It is imperative, therefore, that if you are injured on a construction site, you consult with – and retain – lawyers who are familiar with these important statutory protections.
Call Us now to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation, so we can help you understand your next steps.