New York Construction Accidents Increase as Industry Booms

 Posted on November 20, 2018 in Personal Injury

The New York construction industry has seen a significant increase in building projects over the last few years, and while this has mostly been a positive for the city as a whole, there has also been a substantial increase in serious accidents involving construction workers. According to the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health, construction-related deaths hit a record 14-year high back in 2016, and during the first half of 2018, the numbers only continued to increase.

At Ivey, Barnum & O'Mara, LLC, our Greenwich construction accident lawyers can provide aggressive representation for workers who become seriously injured during a construction accident. In this post, we’ll discuss the increased risks of injury for construction workers - and what you can do if you become injured due to a coworker or property owner’s negligence on your work site.

New York Construction Boom Comes at a Heavy Cost

New building projects are nearly always a good thing for local economies,and in a city like New York where real estate comes at a premium, any boom of construction activity has the potential to help thousands. Asrecord numbers of construction permits have been requested in 2018, this latest boom has proved to do just that: It has led to new jobs for construction workers and real estate professionals, desperately needed housing opportunities for families, and many other economic advantages.

However, the cost of this boom may already be too high, as the rates of construction accidents have soared during the first seven months of 2018.According to the New York Department of Buildings, more than 469 construction workers were injured through July alone, with more than eight recorded deaths. This represents more than double the number of fatal construction accidents during the same time period in 2017.

Compensation for Injured Construction Workers

Construction work is one of the most dangerous occupations out there, and while most workers are fully aware of the inherent risks in this job,employers are still responsible to ensure that they are reasonably protected from harm. While most employees will be covered by workers’ compensation insurance if injured on the clock, New York Labor Law also has special provisions for laborers who are injured by or on scaffolds, ladders, and comparable devices.

This law means you can hold negligent co-workers, property owners, or contractors accountable if they fail to implement proper safety precautions at an elevated work site. As the number of construction projects in New York grows, so does the risk that you may become catastrophically injured.At Ivey, Barnum & O'Mara, LLC, our Greenwich construction accident lawyers are well-versed in this area of the law, and will help you prepare a strong legal strategy if workers’ compensation does not fully cover the injuries you’ve sustained.

Contact us today at 203-661-6000 for a free consultation. We serve clients in the Fairfield County, Westchester County, and Metro New York areas.