Blog / Construction Accidents / Why are NYC Construction Site Accidents On The Rise?

March 7th 2023

Why are NYC Construction Site Accidents On The Rise?

New York State laws protect workers on construction sites from the negligence of building owners and their contractors resulting in serious physical injury. The Lawyers at Goidel and Siegel stand ready to step up for any injured worker at a construction site due to the negligence of any liable party.

2022 was the second-highest year for construction site fatalities in New York City in nearly a decade. Last year alone, there were 22 construction-related deaths reported on job sites throughout the city’s five boroughs.

These numbers are alarming. They are a stark reminder that there is significant work to be done to improve safety conditions on construction sites. In the following informational guide, the legal team at Goidel and Siegel explore potential explanations and the recent laws that have been passed to increase protections for construction site workers.

Rise of Construction Accidents and Deaths in NYC

Construction workers are a vital part of the New York State economic development and growth. Unfortunately, many job sites are operated negligently, putting working-class New Yorkers at risk of serious injury. Construction site workers are exposed to numerous risks due to the nature of the profession requiring employees to utilize heavy machinery, lifts, and other dangerous industrial equipment. Unsafe conditions on construction sites can lead to a wide range of potentially serious incidents including crane accidents, forklift accidents, scaffolding accidents, and more.

Construction site accidents often result in catastrophic injuries, including broken bones, paralysis, and/or wrongful death. In 2022 alone there were 22 deaths due to employer negligence on a construction site. (source: Observer.com)

Construction Site Accident Liability

Construction companies and building owners are legally required to protect workers and provide proper equipment to enable workers to perform their jobs safely. Failure to do this could be grounds for liability.

Construction workers are often forced to work long hours in high-risk work environments. Such risks include, and are exacerbated by:

Improper equipment
A lack of Personal Protective Equipment
Extreme weather conditions
Inadequate training
Poor job site management skills

Failure to inspect, maintain, and perform repairs on job site equipment, including tools, cranes, lifts, tools, and other types of industrial machinery.

Protections for NYC Construction Site Workers

Legal protection is imperative for workers on high-risk job sites, especially those employed for construction-related projects. According to the Laborers’ International Union of North America’s Eastern Regional Vice President, Mike Hellstrom, every 5 to 6 days a construction site worker is killed in an on-the-job accident.

Advocates have fought for years to obtain fair, adequate, and safe working conditions on construction sites. Fortunately, state legislators have implemented several new laws and regulations providing protection for construction workers throughout all boroughs of New York City.

These legal provisions increase criminal liability and penalties for construction firms whose negligence results in worker injury or death.

NYC Union Labor Law

Union workers are protected under a series of federally governed legal provisions, including the National Labor Relations Act, the Labor Management Relations Act, the Railway Labor Act, and numerous other laws. Under these acts, the majority of unionized workers are protected and awarded securities such as:

Protection from discrimination regarding efforts to establish a union.
Protection from any form of interference in efforts to unionize.
Protection from employer bargaining with a union that represents its employees.
Protection from retaliation related to a legal complaint or other applicable circumstances.

Unfortunately, 17 out of the aforementioned 22 deaths were non-union workers. If you are not part of a union, you are still entitled to protection and may still be entitled to compensation. The below are a few initiatives taken to protect all workers.

Carlos’ Law

In December 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul amended state law to increase criminal corporate liability for the serious injury and/or death of construction site workers across the state.

This legislation is known as Carlos’ Law. Carlos’ Law was developed after 22-year-old Carlos Moncayo of Queens, NY, was wrongfully killed on an NYC construction site.

Under Carlos’ Law, construction firms that are found responsible for employee deaths could face fines of up to $500,000. State and local government officials are hopeful that these increased penalties force companies to focus on improving job site conditions.

OSHA Protections for NYC Construction Workers

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed an extensive list of job site regulations that protect construction site workers from preventable injury. These laws cover processes such as machinery maintenance, worksite safety protocol, control of hazardous energy and personal protective equipment.

Workers are entitled to conditions that do not pose a risk of serious harm. To help assure a safe and healthful workplace, OSHA also provides workers with the right to:

Ask OSHA to inspect their workplace
Use their rights under the law without retaliation and discrimination
Receive information and training about hazards, methods to prevent harm, and the OSHA standards that apply to their workplace. The training must be in a language you can understand
Get copies of test results done to find hazards in the workplace
Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses
Get copies of their medical records.

Failure to meet any OSHA guideline is grounds for legal liability. Construction companies that are found liable may be required to compensate affected workers and/or their families for damages such as:

Lost wages
Medical bills
Pain and suffering
And various other expenses

If you or a loved one has been injured on or near a construction site in New York City, call the legal team at Goidel & Siegel for help.

NYC Department of Building Safety Campaign

The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) has developed a comprehensive workplace safety campaign to improve worksite safety throughout New York City.

The purpose of the safety campaign is to ensure that worker safety remains a central priority for construction companies and that all safety requirements set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are being met.

The DOB has been checking that companies are following safety protocols, providing safety equipment to workers, and making sure that construction sites are safe and compliant with safety regulations.

The DOB’s safety campaign began in January and is expected to continue throughout the winter months. The goal is to inspect every construction site in the city, making sure that all safety regulations and protocols are being followed. By doing so, the DOB aims to reduce accidents and injuries on construction sites and create a safer working environment for all construction workers in the city.

In addition to inspections, the DOB has been working with industry associations, labor unions, and other worker advocacy groups to improve safety protocols and promote safety awareness among workers. The DOB has also been conducting safety training programs for workers, as well as seminars and workshops for construction site managers and other industry professionals.

NYC Construction Accident Lawyer

Have you or a loved one been involved in a construction site accident that resulted in serious injury or death? An experienced NYC lawyer can help you gather evidence, build a case, and help you gain the maximum compensation allowed under the law.

Construction site injuries can lead to serious, debilitating, and life-changing consequences. Contact an NYC construction accident lawyer to build a case and obtain due compensation for on-the-job injuries and/or wrongful death.

Goidel and Siegel New York City Construction Accident Lawyers

Reach out to a team of bold, knowledgeable, and experienced New York City construction accident lawyers today. Goidel and Siegel have helped hundreds of clients throughout NYC obtain compensation for on-the-job injuries.

Goidel and Siegel have several firm locations to best serve their clients, including offices in NYC, New Jersey, and Long Island. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about what your case may be worth.

September 1st 2021

Types and Causes of Construction Accidents in NYC

Did you know that construction has become the deadliest job in New York City? While the number of construction accidents has declined since new regulations were introduced in 2019, construction is still extremely dangerous.

What should you do if you or a loved one were injured or killed in a construction accident? What are common construction accident causes, types, and injuries? From the experienced personal injury lawyers at Goidel & Seigel, LLC, here’s important information you should know about construction accidents.

Common Construction Accident Causes

While lots of things can cause construction accidents, a few reasons are more common than others. These are the most common causes of construction accidents.

Rushing

Contractors and subcontractors are often pressured to finish jobs quickly and meet or beat deadlines. When construction workers feel rushed, they are more likely to make mistakes that can lead to injuries or deaths.

Budget

With the booming construction industry, contractors feel pressured to underbid their competitors. When working with a lower budget, they may cut corners by using fewer workers, employing less-experienced individuals, and neglecting safety protocols, all of which may lead to a higher likelihood of construction accidents.

Lack of Training

Construction workers in New York City are required to receive 40 hours of safety training and keep their training cards with them at all times. However, some contractors may provide counterfeit training cards to their employees rather than investing time and money into properly training them. Without the proper training, construction workers are more likely to make potentially fatal mistakes.

Common Construction Site Injuries

Any type of injury can occur on a construction site. However, some types of injuries are more common than others. These are some of the most common types of construction site injuries.

Burns

Construction sites contain many items that may pose fire or explosion risks. If workers don’t handle these items properly, the results can cause severe, debilitating, or life-threatening burns.

Head Injuries

Falling objects and falls can both cause head injuries. Even non-fatal head injuries can lead to permanent brain damage. Construction workers should always wear helmets on-site to help prevent head injuries.

Fractured, Broken, or Crushed Bones

If not operated properly, heavy machinery like bulldozers and cranes can hit or crush workers, leading to broken or crushed bones, among other types of injuries.

Common Types of Construction Accidents

A wide variety of accidents can happen on a construction site. Here are some of the most common kinds of construction accidents.

Toxic Substances

Construction workers may be exposed to a wide variety of toxic substances every day on the job. A few common toxic substances found at construction sites include:

Solvents
Mold
Asbestos
Lead
Mineral fibers
Dust
Acids
Toxic fumes

Height-Related Accidents

42% of construction worker deaths result from falls, and ⅔ of those falls were from less than 30 feet above the ground. Beyond falls, other height-related accidents involve things like dropped tools and collapsing scaffolding.

Trips or Slips and Falls

Slipping or tripping and falling are some of the most common ways workers injure themselves at construction sites, causing sprained ankles, lacerations, broken legs, soft tissue injuries, paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, or death. Factors that may contribute to slips or trips include:

Oil or grease on floors
Broken or unsafe stairs
Defects, debris, or holes in flooring

Forklift and Crane Accidents

Forklifts and cranes can carry loads weighing hundreds or thousands of pounds and require special training to operate. Lack of training, equipment failures, and mechanical defects can cause serious or deadly accidents on construction sites.

Demolition Accidents

Demolition often involves explosives, which can lead to devastating injuries and even death if not handled properly. Construction workers involved in demolition should receive proper training and safety equipment to reduce the risk of severe injuries and death.

Explosions and Fires

Numerous conditions on construction sites can cause explosions or fires, such as electrical issues, equipment malfunctions, gas or chemical leaks, and improper handling of flammable materials. In addition to burns, fires and explosions may cause lung problems, disfigurement, or death.

What to Do After a Construction Accident

If you’ve been involved in a construction accident, there are some steps you should take to ensure you can receive compensation for your injuries, loss of wages, and pain and suffering. Here’s what you should do after a construction accident.

Report Your Injury

Always report the incident to your employer right away, so you have the injuries documented in your file. The longer you wait before filling out an incident report, the harder it is to prove that your injuries were caused while you were on the job rather than after hours.

Document the Scene of the Accident

You or a coworker (if you’re too severely injured to do it yourself) should take photos and videos of the accident scene immediately after it happens. Get close-up pictures of whatever caused your accident as well as the whole scene, including who was there and how the negligent party responded.

Seek Medical Attention

Even if your injuries seem minor, you need to get medical attention as soon as possible. Again, this is to document your injuries for when you seek compensation later. Without evidence that you went to a doctor, it’s difficult to prove you were injured.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you or your loved one suffered significant injuries that caused permanent limitations or have prevented you from working, or if your loved one was killed or disabled in a construction accident in New York City, you need to talk to an experienced personal injury attorney.

Your employer or their insurance company will try to give you the smallest amount possible for your life-altering injuries. You need a lawyer to fight for the full amount you deserve for your lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. Contact Goidel & Siegel, LLP today for a free consultation.

Injured in a Construction Accident?

If you or a loved one have been injured or killed in a construction accident in New York City, contact Goidel & Siegel, LLP, a respected personal injury law firm. We specialize in construction accidents and know how to get you the best compensation. Contact us today by clicking here or calling (929) 593-2024.

August 31st 2016

3 Most Common Construction Site Injuries

Construction is one of the most dangerous industries to work in, but injuries/accidents can be avoided. Workers should stress safety in the workplace to avoid construction related injuries and accidents.

Here are 3 of the most common construction site injuries that can be avoided:

Burns

Burns are one of the most common construction site injuries. Fires and explosions are likely to occur on construction sites due to items that pose potential risks for fires. It is important for construction workers to handle these items properly because they could endanger nearby workers and citizens.

2. Head Injuries

Head injuries are also commonly suffered on construction sites due to falling objects. These injuries can include concussions and brain injuries. It is important that all construction workers wear the appropriate protective gear such as helmets, to avoid these types of injuries.

3. Broken, fractured, or crushed bones

Broken, fractured, or crushed bones are some of the most common construction site injuries due to heavy machinery. Machinery such as bulldozers and cranes could hit or crush a nearby worker if not operated correctly.

In New York workers are entitled to be provided with appropriate equipment and protection. If you were involved in a construction site injury, Goidel & Siegel, LLP, may be able to help you receive compensation for your pain.

August 15th 2016

Construction Accidents on the Rise

There have been a number of construction accidents this year following 2015. There were 433 accidents in 2015 compared to 231 in 2014, according to the city’s Department of Buildings. Just last week, a part of a crane from a nearby construction site, hit the 3 World Trade Center. The weighted ball part of the crane hit the 12th floor of the building around 8:30pm Thursday night. There were no injuries reported.

The rush to expand the city’s skyline has lead to an increase in injuries and fatalities in the past two years. In the last three years, the number of workers hurt and killed in construction accidents has surged. A review of every construction fatality in the past two years by The New York Times has found that many could have been completely avoidable. Most construction sites where workers died failed to take basic steps to prevent accidents from happening. Lacking supervision was often a cause of these accidents as well.

There is absolutely no doubt that there is a problem with construction safety. If you have been injured in a construction accident, the personal injury lawyers at Goidel & Siegel, LLP, will be able to help represent you and receive financial compensation.

July 22nd 2016

Three People Injured After the Crane Collapse on the Tappan Zee Bridge

A large construction crane collapsed on a New York bridge Tuesday afternoon, injuring at least three people. Additional people suffered minor injuries trying to avoid colliding with the crashing crane. Emergency responders pulled two people from their cars and loaded them onto stretchers. They experienced minor injuries to their necks and lower waists. Traffic was backed up for miles as officials handled the situation.

There are thousands of active construction sites in New York City. Construction accidents are unfortunately common, even though they are preventable. Personal injury lawyers at Goidel & Siegel have decades of experience representing people injured in construction accidents. If you or a loved one has been hurt as a result of a construction accident, Goidel & Siegel may be able to help you obtain financial compensation.

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