Construction Accident Wrongful Death Lawyer NYC
According to 2011 statistics from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 4,609 construction workers were fatally injured on the job, in just one year, in the United States. The Secretary of Labor has even said that 13 American construction workers leave their homes and families every day and never return.
OSHA’s Fatal Four
While there are several possible causes for fatal accidents on construction sites, OSHA has narrowed down a list of four of the most common causes. OSHA calls this the “fatal four” list, and it has been suggested that if all accidents in this bracket were removed completely, at least 410 workers’ lives would be saved annually.
The fatal four includes the following:
- Falls — 35 percent
- Blunt force trauma from an object —10 percent
- Electrocution — 9 percent
- Caught-in or in-between accidents —3 percent
Falling accidents can be caused by unprotected scaffolding sides or ledges, as well as faulty scaffolding construction, and exposed steel rebar below the site or an unsafe ladder.
Electrocution can be caused by several factors, such as exposed wiring, improper labeling, overhead power lines, wet conditions, and lack of protective equipment.
Three common objects that can fatally wound on a construction site, according to the OSHA, include nail guns, rigs, and cranes. Because they have a large possibility of severely injuring or killing workers in the event of an accident, proper training and safety is an absolute must when operating any of these three types of machinery
Lastly, caught-in or in-between accidents account for a small fraction of deaths in the construction workplace. Possible in-between accidents that can result in being crushed to death include any number of construction vehicles (e.g., tractors, dozers, and loaders); main causes include trenching and excavation on worksites, drilling and street construction.
Filing An NYC Wrongful Death Claim
Construction site injuries and deaths are often connected with the negligence or wrongdoing of another person or company. Regardless of whether the accident was caused by a defective product or a negligent employer, workers deserve the opportunity to be in a safe environment that follows the necessary standards of safety.
If you have recently lost a loved one in a construction accident, do not hesitate to contact an experienced New York City personal injury attorney at The Law Office of Richard M. Kenny to discuss the best course of action for your situation.
