New York Injury Talk Blog

The number of New York City construction accidents has increased, but there have been fewer fatalities as a result of construction site accidents this year. According to a news report in the Insurance Journal, the number of reported construction accidents in New York increased by more than 40 percent compared to the same period in 2008. Reported injuries increased by more than 30 percent during that time. A majority of the injuries were a result of falls in construction sites. The number of deaths, however, decreased considerably. The number of construction accident deaths in 2008 was 19 and 12 in 2007. This year, there were only two through the month of June. City officials say the reduction in fatalities is due to an increased awareness of construction safety and better reporting of incidents.

In spite of strict safety standards, construction workers are always at risk when they are on the job. New York State does not allow employees to sue their employers for on the job accidents. However, contractors, sub-contractors, architects, manufacturers of defective products or property owners may be held liable for injuries or wrongful deaths that take place during construction work.