Recovery for Injuries and Fatalities on the Worksite
In your construction job, you likely work with sharp tools, heavy equipment, large objects and toxic chemicals. You may perform complex work in precarious locations, such as at substantial height or in deep trenches. You also may work in extreme temperatures, including heat, cold, snow, ice and rain. These factors contribute to a very dangerous workplace. The statistics reflect the dangers you face every day. Construction has one of the highest fatality and injury rates of any industry.
Schwartzapfel® Lawyers P.C. recognizes that construction is a dangerous profession. We also recognize that all of the dangers can be minimized by conscientious contractors and owners and their agents. Unfortunately, we see innumerable cases in which reducing costs, making unreasonable deadlines and increasing profitability of a project are excuses for foregoing crucial safety measures and policies. It’s always the same, profits before workers safety.
Our NYC construction accident lawyers do not accept these excuses. If you were injured or your loved one was killed in a construction accident, we demand answers and hold wrongdoers accountable. Our team works tirelessly to investigate the cause of the accident and pursue money and benefits from contractors and owners and their agents and everyone who are at fault. To us, you are not a statistic; we treat you like family with respect and compassion. Our dedication to helping people is why we have poured our hearts, resources and skills into personal injury and wrongful death claims and law for more than 30 years.
Construction Fatal Four
Twenty percent of work-related deaths are in construction jobs. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) refers to the four most deadly types of accidents as the Construction Fatal Four.” Eliminating just these fatal four accidents would save 478 workers’ lives in the United States every year:
- Falls account for 36.5 percent of construction worker death, equaling 302 workers
- Getting struck by objects resulted in 10.1 percent of the fatalities, at 84 workers
- Electrocutions were responsible for 71 casualties, or 8.6 percent of workers’ deaths
- Getting caught in or in between objects or machinery caused 21 deaths, or 2.5 percent
Most Frequently Cited OSHA Violations
OSHA has limited resources with which to inspect worksites. Most inspections are conducted in response to fatal accidents or complaints. Only a small percentage of inspections are random. Likely many more violations occur than are cited, but the authorities fail to notice until somebody is killed or complains. You may have dangerous conditions around your workplace that may not be discovered until you say something or a serious accident occurs.
Of the 10 violations most frequently cited by OSHA in the 2014 fiscal year, three specifically involve the construction industry and all include construction industry violators:
- Fall protection
- Hazard communication
- Scaffolding
- Respiratory protection
- Powered industrial trucks
- Control of hazardous energy, including lockouts and tag outs
- Ladders
- Electrical, wiring methods, components and equipment
- Machinery and machine guarding
- Electrical systems design
Call Our Injury and Wrongful Death Firm to Be Treated Like a Person, Not a Statistic
Call Schwartzapfel® Lawyers P.C. at 1-516-342-2200 to schedule your free consultation with our experienced lawyers. Our five NY offices are located in Manhattan, Bronx, Jericho, Deer Park or White Plains. We represent clients in all injury and death cases on a contingency fee arrangement, meaning you do not pay us unless we recover money for you.
