Construction deaths double amidst New York building boom

Fatal accidents at New York construction sites have increased two-fold and injuries have increased by 17 percent as the city experiences a building boom. According to New York City’s Buildings Department, the first seven months of 2017 saw four people die in construction accidents, whereas the first seven months of 2018 have seen eight people die in construction accidents.

The most recent death due to a construction accident happened on July 16 after a man was electrocuted at a West Village building site. And four days prior to that, a man died when a piece of scaffold fell on him causing a fatal head injury.

The truth is, the construction industry has never been safe — and federal statistics reveal that it’s the most dangerous occupation in New York City. In 2016, for example, the construction industry caused 37.5 percent of all occupational deaths in the city. Therefore, with the recent uptick in construction activity, the increase in injuries and deaths is only to be expected.

Here is a brief sampling of some of the incidents that have happened at New York construction sites in 2018:

• Falling debris hurt at least 50 workers.
• A falling scaffold piece knocked out a superintendent at a construction area in the Upper East Side in July.
• A worker fell 40 feet at a Brooklyn work area in June causing a broken shoulder and possible back injuries.
• A worker drove a screw into his hand at a Meatpacking district office building.

These are just a few examples of the many incidents that have happened in New York City and the rest of the state of New York this year. If you have been hurt in a construction accident, investigate your legal rights and options to receive financial benefits as soon as possible.