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The past and present construction workers of New York, NY, deserve credit for building, renovating, and even demolishing these iconic buildings. They also hold responsibility for laying and maintaining over 6,000 miles of roads and highways.
Construction work plays a big role in making New York City the unforgettable place that it is. Yet, this necessary work of constructing buildings and roads always carries some risk of injury.
Why Construction Accidents Happen
Despite safety regulations and protective equipment, there were 77,490 non-fatal construction injuries and occupational illnesses in 2018. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 22 people lost their lives in construction-related accidents in New York City in the same year.
What was behind these unfortunate construction site accidents? The US Bureau of Labor Statistics compiled some occupational injury and accident statistics for the years between 2011 and 2018. They found that construction site accidents and injuries are often attributed to:
- Contact with objects or equipment
- Contact with animals or plants (e.g. bites, stings, poisons, venom)
- Confinement
- Depletion of oxygen (e.g. drowning, submersion)
- Electrocution
- Environmental conditions (e.g. avalanches, flooding, earthquakes)
- Exposure to harmful chemicals, substances, or environments
- Extreme temperatures
- Explosions
- Welding accidents
- Fires
- Falling, slipping, or tripping accidents
- Negligence of other construction workers or site owner
- Overexertion
- Road collisions (motor vehicle, machinery, or pedestrian)
In the New York construction industry, workers may also be regularly exposed to certain risk factors. For instance, they may encounter dangerous levels of noise, chemicals, or dust at construction sites. Regular or prolonged exposure to extreme weather conditions (high or low temperatures, strong winds, direct sun exposure, etc.) may also contribute to health problems.
The construction site conditions may contribute to medical problems, often referred to as occupational diseases.
Occupational medical conditions may also come from the nature of the construction work. Repetitive motions, exposure to vibrations, or holding the same position too long can cause problems.
One construction research organization found that the following occupational diseases commonly occur among construction workers:
- Asbestosis from inhaling asbestos fibers
- Cancer
- Chronic obstructive lung diseases (e.g., chronic bronchitis, emphysema)
- Chronic pain
- Infertility and miscarriages due to elevated blood lead levels
- Hearing loss
- Neurological damage
- Musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome, sprains, strains, tendonitis)
Of course, these lists don’t include everything that might happen on a construction site. You may be unsure if your illness or injury is related to your occupation. In your personal life, you might turn to a dependable, knowledgeable friend for support. But when it comes to construction accidents, you may be at a loss as to what to do.
Our law firm, Hill & Moin, would like to lend you a helping hand. We understand the complex issues associated with New York City construction accidents.
We can help you determine if work caused your New York construction injury or illness. We have assisted hundreds of our New York clients in taking legal actions that resulted in millions of dollars in construction verdicts and settlements.
We can tell you now the first step you should take: Contact us. We offer free consultations to anyone who has been injured on a New York City construction site. You can leave us a brief message on our website telling us the nature of your claim. You are always welcome to relate to us the details of your injury accident case. We will let you know your rights.
