Construction is one of the most dangerous industries — and unfortunately, fatalities are not uncommon. The most common causes of death in the construction industry are referred to by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as the “fatal four.” Critically, the accidents that account for the most worker fatalities include falls, struck by object accidents, electrocutions, and caught-in/between hazards. If you lost a loved one in a fatal construction accident due to a third-party’s negligence, it’s essential to understand that you may be entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Specifically, OSHA classifies the following as the “fatal four:”
Falls
Construction workers must often complete their tasks at elevated heights, making falls one of the biggest hazards that lead to injury and death. According to OSHA, falls cause one out of every three construction worker fatalities. There are a wide variety of circumstances in which falls can occur on job sites, including falls from scaffolding, ladders, and rooftops. In many cases, falls are caused by:
- Lack of fall protection equipment
- Unsafe work practices
- Slippery surfaces
- Overloaded scaffolding
- Defective ladders
- Inadequate scaffold installation
While many falls are from heights, they can also happen at ground level. Importantly, workers can be at risk of falls due to uneven walkways, debris, oil spills, unsecured wires, and other ground level obstacles. Even when ground-level falls are not fatal, they can result in serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, nerve damage, and paralysis.
Struck-by Accidents
Struck-by accidents are a common cause of both serious injuries and fatalities on construction sites. These incidents can cover a broad range of occurrences that produce a forcible impact. For example, a worker can be struck by a falling, flying, or swinging object such as a tool, piece of equipment, or other heavy material. They can also be struck by collapsing materials, a rolling object, loose cargo, or even a vehicle. Common struck-by accident hazards can include:
- Poorly stored materials
- Poor communication between equipment operators and workers
- Lack of personal protective equipment
- Compressed air
- Propelled objects
- Unsecured loose materials
- Improperly suspended loads
Struck-by accidents often happen without warning. If your loved one suffered fatality in a struck-by accident, you may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim against a negligent third-party on the construction site.
Electrocutions
There are many types of hazards that can cause electrocution on construction sites. Exposure to live power lines, failure to provide ground-fault protection, failure to use extension cords properly, and not properly grounding electrical equipment can all lead to deadly accidents. Many of these accidents are caused by third-party negligence and could have been prevented with proper training and safety practices. In the event your loved one passed away due to construction-related electrocution injuries, you may be entitled to hold the negligent third-party accountable in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Caught-In/Between Hazards
Caught-in or between hazards account for a significant number of construction-related fatalities, placing them among OSHA’s “fatal four.” These accidents may arise when a worker is squeezed, caught, pinched, crushed, or compressed between objects or parts of an object. Caught-in or between accidents can occur in connection with trench and excavation collapses or due to heavy equipment rollovers. A worker can also be pinned between structures or get a limb caught in machinery that has moving parts. Often, these accidents are caused by failure to adhere to safety protocols, inadequate communication, and insufficient training.
Contact an Experienced New York Personal Injury Attorney
If your loved one passed away due to a construction accident that was caused by a third-party’s negligence, you may be able to file a wrongful death action. It’s crucial to have a knowledgeable attorney by your side who understands the complexities of construction accidents and can recover the compensation to which you’re entitled. Due to our experience and dedication to clients, The Edelsteins, Faegenburg & Brown, LLP regularly obtains substantial settlements and verdicts for the families of construction workers who have suffered fatality on the job. Located in Manhattan, our firm has been fighting for the rights of accident victims throughout New York City since 1937. Call to schedule a free consultation at (212) 425-1999 today.