Four Most Fatal Types of Construction Accidents in New York

Construction is one of the most dangerous industries to work in.  According to statistics from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), construction accidents account for 20% of all worker fatalities each year in the United States.  This is the largest single industry responsible for worker deaths.  While our construction accident lawyer in Brooklyn knows that there are many potential causes of construction worker fatalities, OSHA statistics reveal that falls, struck-by incidents, electrocutions, and caught-in/betweens are the most common causes and accountable for almost 65% of all construction worker deaths in the United States.  This has caused the United States Department of Labor and OSHA to label these types of incidents as the “fatal four” in construction, sometimes now called the “focus four”.  These agencies have even started campaigns about awareness to prevent these types of accidents.  That is because most of the fatal four construction accidents in New York are preventable and caused by reckless conduct.

If you or a loved one were injured in one of the fatal four construction accidents in New York, call O’Connor Injury Law to learn what rights to compensation you may have.  Our experienced construction accident lawyer in Brooklyn can help you and your family recover compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, loss of consortium, and other damages after a construction accident.  We have a proven track record of success handling these catastrophic cases, and we can help you fight back against some of the largest construction companies, contractors, insurance carriers, and defense law firms in the region.  To learn more about how we can help you after a construction accident, call to schedule your FREE consultation to have your case evaluated. 

What Are the Fatal Four Construction Accidents? 

The fatal four or focus four construction accidents are the most common causes of construction worker deaths in the United States.  It is the same four causes that top the most common causes each year, leading to the campaigns by OSHA and the Bureau of Labor to try and address these common and preventable causes of worker death.

The fatal four construction accidents are the following:

Falls at Construction Sites

Falls are the leading cause of worker-related fatalities in the United States and responsible for over 36% of all construction worker deaths.  Most of these falls and the resulting deaths are preventable with the proper safety equipment given by contractors and owners.  New York Labor Law 240, also known as the “Scaffolding Law,” and Labor Law 241 set forth specific requirements for contractors, certain owners, and other construction companies to protect workers from falls.  When they fail to do that, it could result in strict liability against the defendant – allowing the worker to recover compensation for his or her losses.

Struck-by or Hit By

Struck-by or hit by an object is the second leading cause of worker-related fatalities in the United States and responsible for over 15% of construction worker deaths.  These types of accidents are also protected under the Labor Law, especially Labor Law 241 but also Labor Law section 200 which is a general negligence provision.  Examples of struck-by or hit by accidents include:

• Struck by a falling object such as a tool or debris
• Hit by a flying object that was launched, propelled, or moved
• Struck by a swinging object or flaying object
• Hit by a rolling object, and
• Similar types of accidents.

Electrocutions

Electric is always dangerous and most people – even little children – know that.  However, some contractors fail to protect workers from this hazard.  Electrocutions at construction sites account for over 7% of all worker fatalities.  These types of fatal accidents can happen in a variety of ways, including cutting through an already placed or active wire such as an extension cord, or where cords or sockets get wet or are sitting in water from a storm or runoff from work (i.e., from a wet saw).

Caught-in/Between

A caught-in/between is a type of construction accident where a person is caught between two objects.  That could be the walls of a trench that collapse in or cave in, or it could be pulled into machinery and caught in it.  Workers could also be crushed by objects that fall when they are being lifted by a forklift, crane, truck, or another device, such as an AC unit or even just between pallets of wood or other objects.  These types of construction accidents account for over 5% of all worker fatalities.

Were You Injured in a Fatal Four Construction Accident in New York?  Was a Loved One Killed?  Call Our Law Firm for Help

If you or a loved one were seriously injured or killed in a construction accident in New York, particularly right here in Staten Island, Brooklyn, New York City, The Bronx, Queens, Long Island, and in surrounding areas, please call our construction accident lawyer in Brooklyn to schedule a FREE consultation to learn more about your rights.  The fatal four construction accidents are very serious and need special attention.  This is because they often result in catastrophic personal injuries and harm that could cause victims and their families overwhelming amounts of physical, emotional, and financial damages.

To learn more about how we can help you and your family recover compensation for these damages, call O’Connor Injury Law by dialing (718) 948-3500 or by sending us an email through our “Contact Us” box available here.  We are here to help you.