New York Sees Increase in Fatal Construction Accidents

According to recent reports, New York City has seen an increase in fatal construction accidents this year, with as many people dying in these accident already in 2015 as those who passed away in all of 2014.  The number of non-fatal construction-related accidents is also on the rise, with 2014 seeing a 24 percent increase in accidents from the year prior.

It is believed the growing number of injuries and fatalities is related to the steady increase of development projects in recent years across the city. Increases in development often mean that construction workers are tasked with more responsibility and that new and less-experienced workers are entering the industry because of high demands. As the number of accidents rise, New Yorkers must be aware of their legal rights regarding construction-related injuries, and know when to take action if an incident occurs.

Scaffolding a common issue at construction sites

Improperly installed scaffolding creates a potentially dangerous situation for both workers and other individuals near the construction site. Should scaffolding not be fastened or installed correctly, it may cause serious injuries if the structure collapses. It is required that all scaffolding on a construction site be installed by experienced workers, who must understand the weight the scaffolding is intended to hold, be familiar with safety requirements and understand methods of fall protection.

If you’ve been involved in a construction site accident, whether you were a worker or a passerby, you may need to seek compensation from the parties at fault. To learn more about your legal options, consult a dedicated  personal injury lawyer at Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP.