The Construction Industry
Construction is a booming industry in New York and the United States. As a major source of jobs, the construction industry provides employment to more than seven million people. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in construction rose by 3.8% when 258,000 employees joined the construction workforce in 2004.
Have you been injured in a construction accident or has a loved one been killed in a construction accident?
A New York Construction Accident Lawyer at Finz & Finz, P.C. can help you seek compensation from a construction accident, injury or fatality. Contact a New York Construction Accident Lawyer today!
The risks that construction workers face is alarming. With heavy, dangerous equipment and potentially hazardous worksites, proper training and adequate safety precautions must be taken at all times. Unfortunately, accidents do occur. The resulting injuries from construction accidents are often serious and can be life-threatening. Contact a New York Construction Accident Lawyer today for more information on recovering compensation from a construction-related accident!
Construction Accident Facts
Construction is a high hazard occupation. According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH):
- Between 1980 through 1995, at least 17,000 construction workers died from injuries suffered on the job.
- Construction has the third highest rate of death by injury in the United States.
- On average, there are 15.2 deaths per 100,000 workers in the construction industry.
- One out of every ten construction workers is accidentally injured every year.
- The most common accident at construction sites is falls, either on the same level or from height.
- The leading causes of death among construction workers are falls from elevations, motor vehicle crashes, electrocution, machines, and being struck by falling objects.
Safety on Construction Sites
To address the hazards inherent in construction work, such as trenches, heights, power lines, and dangerous equipment, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have established specific safety goals, which have contributed to safer working environments in the United States.
However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that construction workers accounted for 1 in 5 on-the-job fatalities and 1 in 10 non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2004. With these alarming figures, safety is a common concern for families and loved ones of those who work in this potentially dangerous industry.
Types of Construction Accidents
Dangerous workplace conditions and defective equipment are just some of the common causes of serious construction accidents. Other accidents that can occur include:
- Scaffolding accidents
- Electrical shocks
- Severe gashes caused by sharp tools and falling equipment
- Ladder accidents
- Falls
- Forklift accidents
- Exposure to toxic substances
- Inadequate ventilation
- OSHA violations
Fatal vs. Non-Fatal Injuries
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a total of 401,000 nonfatal injuries and illnesses were suffered by workers in the construction industry in 2004. A total of 1,234 workers were killed on the job in the private construction industry in that same year, a 9% increase from 2003.
Injuries can range from minor to serious. However, due to the dangers of the workplace and the equipment used, construction accident injuries are often extremely serious. Some types of injuries that can occur include brain damage, loss of limb(s), sprains, strains, cuts, lacerations, electrocution, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
Legal Help for Construction Accident Victims
If you, a family member or a friend have suffered a serious injury from a New York construction accident, contact a New York Construction Accident Lawyer at Finz & Finz, P.C. now by completing the Free Construction Accident Case Evaluation form at the right of this page or call (888) FINZ-FIRM.
