How Many Construction Workers Die Each Year?

If you have been injured while working on a construction job site, the attorneys at Rosenberg & Gluck, L.L.P., are ready to help.

According to the 2022 Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost 12 million Americans are employed in the construction industry. The construction industry, with its significant workforce and inherent hazards, unfortunately experiences one of the highest rates of injuries and fatalities among the country’s workers.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, 2021, 951 construction workers died on the job in 2021. Despite this being a slight decrease in construction deaths from the year before, construction and extraction occupations still experienced the second most worker fatalities in 2021.

Helping Construction Accident Victims on Long Island

The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, reports that 82,200 people were employed in the construction industry on Long Island in June of 2023. With so many Long Islanders working in such a hazardous industry, the experienced lawyers at Rosenberg & Gluck, L.L.P., have built a track record of helping construction workers who’ve been injured in accidents recover compensation for their injuries. Contact our team of Long Island construction accident lawyers for a free consultation to determine if you have a case.

How Many Construction Accidents Happen in New York Annually?

In keeping with national statistics for construction workers and those in material moving occupations, the construction industry accounts for thousands of accidents in New York each year. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 156,200 total cases of non-fatal injuries and illnesses in the construction industry in 2020 across the United States. In New York State, there were 5,900 construction accidents that caused illness or injury in 2021. In a New York City construction research report, there were 554 injuries reported in 2022 in New York City alone.

What Is the Most Common Accident in Construction?

OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the US Department of Labor, calls the top four causes of construction accidents and construction fatalities the “Fatal Four.” OSHA provides extensive guidelines and resources to help prevent these types of injuries and worker deaths.

OSHA’s Fatal Four

The Fatal Four are:

1. Falls
2. Struck-By
3. Caught-In/Between
4. Electrocutions

These four types of accidents account for more than half of construction work related deaths.

What Are the Top 10 Safety Risks in Construction?

According to OSHA, the top 10 most frequently cited OSHA standards that were violated in FY 2022 included four specific to the construction industry and are closely linked to the “Fatal Four” causes of injuries and deaths on construction sites. These violations include:

1. Fall Protection, construction (29 CFR 1926.501)
2. Hazard Communication, general industry (29 CFR 1910.1200)
3. Ladders, construction (29 CFR 1926.1053)
4. Respiratory Protection, general industry (29 CFR 1910.134)
5. Scaffolding, construction (29 CFR 1926.451)
6. Control of Hazardous Energy (lockout/tagout), general industry (29 CFR 1910.147)
7. Powered Industrial Trucks, general industry (29 CFR 1910.178)
8. Fall Protection Training, construction (29 CFR 1926.503)
9. Eye and Face Protection, construction (29 CFR 1926.102)
10. Machinery and Machine Guarding, general industry (29 CFR 1910.212)

Should I Consult a Long Island Construction Accident Lawyer if I’ve been Injured while Working?

Yes, if you have been injured while working on a construction job site, the personal injury attorneys at Rosenberg & Gluck, L.L.P., are ready to help fight for the compensation you and your family deserve for your construction related injuries.

What Damages Can I Recover for My Construction Accident?

An experienced Long Island construction accident lawyer can help you to recover monetary damages for your injuries. It is possible that you may receive compensation for the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability
• Wrongful death (in the event of fatal occupational injuries)

Can I File a Lawsuit for My Construction Accident Injuries?

In the state of New York, you cannot sue your employer, but you can file a lawsuit based on third party liability in your accident. Other liable parties who are responsible for maintaining a safe construction site may include contractors, subcontractors, property owners, architects, engineers, or equipment manufacturers among others, according to New York labor law. In many cases, a third-party claim can potentially offer greater compensation than a workers’ compensation claim.

How Can an Attorney Help My Construction Accident Case?

Having an experienced lawyer working on your case can have a huge impact. Your attorney will be able to assess all of the facts and evidence, identify the responsible parties, estimate your damages, and negotiate with insurance companies for the highest settlement amount. They will also ensure that you receive any medical benefits or workers’ compensation as quickly as possible while pursuing any third-party claims.