The Bronx is a bustling hub of commerce and construction in New York City. But it’s also the site of dozens of construction accidents every year, totaling millions of dollars in medical costs and untold suffering from workers who were injured while on the job.
When construction accidents are caused by negligence—for example, when an employer fails to provide adequate safety equipment, and/or fails to provide a work environment that lives up to OSHA code—the resulting injuries and lack of income from being out of work can be devastating. Fortunately, construction workers in the Bronx can make up for medical bills, lost income, and other damages by filing a workers’ compensation claim, personal injury claim, or both.
Construction Accidents in the Bronx
New York City as a whole suffers an average of over 70 fatal work injuries due to construction hazards each year. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- An average of 75 NYC workers die each year in construction accidents
- Contact with dangerous objects and equipment accounted for more fatal work injuries than on-site falls, slips, and trips
- The combined total of construction site falls, slips and trips makes up nearly half of all construction workplace deaths in New York City. Other causes of construction accidents include workplace transportation accidents and long-term exposure to harmful environments or substances
In total, the construction industry in New York City and the Bronx is among the most dangerous. An NYC report found that, although construction workers only make up 5% of the city’s total workforce, these workers suffer for 27% of work-related injury fatalities. Furthermore:
- Most NYC construction fatalities involve workers between the ages of 31 and 65
- 61% of construction fatalities affect foreign-born workers rather than US-born
Most Common Causes of Construction Accidents in NYC
Construction accidents can be caused due to a myriad of issues and hazards. But the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified four particular factors that are responsible for most construction accidents and fatalities. These factors are called the “Big Four”. They are:
- Falls. Falls occur when safety equipment is improperly harnessed, when equipment is not properly set up, or when a worksite is dangerous and safety precautions are not observed by managers/contractors
- Struck-by injuries and deaths. These occur when a construction worker is struck by a heavy and moving object, such as a vehicle or a piece of equipment
- Caught or crushed between objects. These occur when a construction worker is trapped in a dangerous area or stuck between a wall and a hard object. These injuries are common at job sites where workers perform tasks in narrow trenches or manholes.
- Electrocutions, which occur most frequently at job sites pertaining to or surrounding power lines and other electrical gear
Injuries Sustained from Construction Accidents in the Bronx
Construction accidents, due to their likelihood of including heavy machinery or dangerous equipment, can lead to a variety of injuries including:
- Severe burns, both from hazardous chemicals or spills and from electrical equipment or hot machinery. Particularly excessive burns can lead to deeper tissue damage, permanent scarring, and disabilities
- Broken bones, especially of the arms, hands, and skull (if not wearing a hard hat)
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries or TBIs
- Spinal damage and paralysis
- Lacerations, particularly on the hands
- Blindness
- Hearing damage, especially if incurred over a long period of time due to repeated exposure to loud machinery
These injuries can lead to medical bills that can quickly add up. Construction accident victims may not be able to pay for the costs of necessary medical procedures or medical debt without filing a construction accident lawsuit.
Bronx Construction Accident Lawsuits
Construction accident lawsuits can be pressed if negligence can be proven among worksite managers or contractors. There’s plenty of precedent for construction accident lawsuits in the Bronx and the greater NYC area.
Real Examples of Construction Accident Lawsuits in NYC
NYC keeps records of construction accidents and reported injuries (not represented by Sobo & Sobo but in the public record) including:
- In February 2019, nine workers were hospitalized after a carbon monoxide accident. Ten workers in total reported injuries from the incident
- In April 2020, a construction worker was killed and another injured due to a 7.5-ton crane counterweight accident
- A construction worker was killed and five more workers were injured in August 2019 due to inadequate bracing on a stage used for a four-story building construction site in the Bronx
- In November 2020, four workers injured due to a collapsed scaffolding deck on the 17th floor of a typical construction site
These injuries are examples of construction accident cases that could potentially lead to significant compensation from lawsuit settlements (once the cases are settled).
Settlement amounts will be determined based on the strength of the prosecuting case and the unique factors at hand, including:
- Past and future medical expenses directly related to the accident
- Loss of income for the victim(s)
- Loss of ability if impairment or paralysis occurred due to the accident
- The degree to which a court finds the employer negligent and responsible for the accident
Scheduling a free consultation with a workers’ compensation or construction accident attorney can give victims an estimation as to the lengths of time and settlement amounts for their specific cases.
Contact New York Construction Accident Attorneys Today
With years of legal experience under their belts and a long history of helping construction accident victims in NYC win settlements for their injuries, Sobo & Sobo knows what it takes to get the compensation and justice that workers deserve. Contact them today for a free consultation.
