If you’re one of New York City’s 250,000+ construction workers, no one needs to tell you that your job is dangerous. Statistics show that construction injuries account for 27% of all NYC workplace injuries, even though construction workers make up only 5% of the city’s workforce. Furthermore, you face a one in four chance of being injured in one of NYC’s common construction site accidents at some point during your career.
Unfortunately, the number of construction accidents has been steadily increasing during the past ten years. From 2010 to 2019, 215 construction workers died, 24 in 2019 alone. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the number of NYC construction deaths increased by 33% during the past five years, while construction injuries increased by 221%. New York City’s Injury/Fatality Incident Report shows that, despite the virtual construction shutdown due to the Covid-19 outbreak, 29 construction workers sustained injuries in April 2021, and one worker died.
OSHA’s Construction Industry “Fatal Four”
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has compiled a list of the four most prevalent construction injuries that result in death. Known as the “Fatal Four,” these injuries account for 57% of construction industry fatalities. Of that 57%, these four types of damages account for the following percentages of death:
- Falls – 36%
- Struck by objects – 10%
- Electrocutions – 9%
- Caught between objects – 2%
Common Construction Site Accidents and Injuries
Perhaps not surprisingly, falls are, by far, the most common type of construction site accident. There are numerous places from which or into which you can lose, including the following:
- Scaffolds
- Ladders
- Roofs
- Elevator shafts
- Collapsed ceilings
Common injuries caused by a fall include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Broken bones
- Crush injury
- Nerve damage
- Soft tissue injury
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Cuts and lacerations
- Strains, sprains and bruises
While struck-by, caught-between, and electrocution accidents together account for fewer construction injuries than fall accidents, they nevertheless can be, and often are, very serious. For instance, any electrocution can cause severe burns that may well leave lasting scars. Struck-by accidents can cause powerful head and eye injuries. Caught-between accidents can squeeze you so severely that one or more of your limbs must be amputated.
Accident Consequences
Even a relatively minor construction injury can put you in the hospital for several days. A severe burn or another catastrophic injury could easily result in the following:
- Excruciating pain and suffering
- Extensive hospital stay
- One or more surgeries
- Rehabilitation treatment
- Physical, occupational, and recreational therapy
- Need for crutches, a walker, a wheelchair, or another assistive device
- Ongoing need for prescription medications
- Temporary or permanent partial or total disability
- Loss of income
The costs associated with your injury can skyrocket very quickly at precisely the time when you can’t work or earn an income. Consequently, you likely will require the services of a construction injury law firm.
Workers’ Compensation
As you probably already know, workers’ compensation covers on-the-job injuries. But did you know that not all workers and not all damages are covered? In addition, workers’ compensation only helps pay for your medical costs and provides some money to compensate you while you’re off work. It does not pay for your pain and suffering or other non-economic losses resulting from your injury.
At best, workers’ compensation is a complicated process with many rules, regulations, and time frames with which you must comply. In addition, many work comp claims are denied, requiring an appeals process.
Personal Injury Lawsuit
You may not realize that you may be able to file a lawsuit against your employer if you’re injured on the job. This, of course, requires that you seek the advice, counsel, and representation of an experienced construction site accident attorney in New York City.
Keep in mind that a personal injury settlement or jury award covers all your losses, both economic and non-economic, associated with your injury. In other words, in addition to your medical expenses and loss of wages, you can expect to receive compensation for such things as the following:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional grief and anguish
- Embarrassment over having to use a wheelchair or other assistive device to get around
- Inability to live life as fully as you did before your injury
- Loss of self-esteem due to your disability
- Loss of your overall enjoyment of life
Why Choose William Schwitzer & Associates, P.C.
At William Schwitzer & Associates, P.C., our caring and empathetic lawyers have established a reputation of excellence. We have over 80 years of trial experience in the field of personal injury law and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. Our firm has achieved some of the largest verdicts in the State of New York and throughout the nation.
You may rest assured that our attorneys will go the extra mile to get you the maximum recovery possible under the law. We will also guide you through your difficult time and make sure your rights are protected.
So, schedule a free consultation with William Schwitzer & Associates, P.C., today. You’ll be glad you did.
