As anyone who has worked in construction knows, it is one of the most dangerous jobs, particularly in New York given the many high-rise buildings. In fact, according to the most recent Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 937 construction workers died in work-related accidents in 2015 alone — representing more than one-fifth of all work-related fatalities that year.
While there are many dangers on the construction site, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that the “Fatal Four” account for 64.2 percent of all construction-related deaths. The Fatal Four include:
- Falls from heights: 364 construction deaths in 2015 (38.8 percent)
- Hit/Struck by objects: 90 construction deaths in 2015 (9.6 percent)
- Caught-between/in accidents: 67 construction deaths in 2015 (7.2 percent)
- Electrocutions: 81 construction deaths in 2015 (8.6 percent)
If these four common causes of construction accidents were eliminated, the lives of roughly 600 construction workers could be saved every year. Unfortunately, however, these dangers aren’t likely to disappear from constructions sites anytime soon, particularly on sites in which contractors skirt safety regulations – or ignore them completely.
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury while working in construction, it is important to know that you may have legal options available besides workers’ compensation. To learn more about these additional options, contact an experienced construction accident attorney as soon as possible. You cannot afford to simply wait and hope things work out — get the help you need today.