Construction sites keep New York running, from high-rise buildings in Manhattan to road projects and bridge repairs across the state. They also remain some of the most dangerous places to earn a living. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 50 construction workers lost their lives in New York in 2024, and 24 of those deaths resulted from falls, slips, and trips, making falls the leading cause of fatal construction injuries in the state.

Construction workers often hear the term "Fatal Four," especially during safety meetings. OSHA uses it to describe the four types of accidents responsible for most fatal construction injuries in New York: falls, struck-by incidents, electrocutions, and caught-in or caught-between accidents. 

If you or a loved one has been hurt on a New York jobsite, understanding these hazards can help you better understand how the accident happened, what laws may apply, and what steps may be available afterward.

Key Takeaways: Major Construction Accident Hazards in New York

• OSHA’s Focus Four—often called the Fatal Four—include falls, struck-by incidents, electrocutions, and caught-in or caught-between accidents.
• Falls, slips, and trips caused 24 of the 50 fatal workplace injuries recorded in New York’s construction industry in 2024.
• New York Labor Laws §§ 240 and 241 may provide important protections for workers involved in certain construction, demolition, excavation, and elevation-related work.
• Workers’ compensation generally covers eligible employees injured on the job, while some accidents may also support claims against property owners, contractors, manufacturers, or other legally responsible third parties.
• Construction sites can change quickly after an accident, making photographs, witness information, incident reports, equipment records, and other evidence important to preserve when possible.

What Are the Fatal Four Construction Accidents in New York?

Construction sites are busy places where multiple crews often work side by side, heavy equipment moves throughout the day, and conditions can change from one hour to the next. Even with safety rules in place, four hazards continue to account for a substantial share of fatal construction accidents across the country.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) refers to these hazards as the Fatal Four:

• Falls
• Struck-by incidents
• Electrocutions
• Caught-in or caught-between accidents

OSHA's nationwide data show these four categories consistently account for the majority of construction worker fatalities. The agency estimates that preventing these hazards could save hundreds of lives every year.

Each type of accident presents different risks, but they share one thing in common: many occur during routine construction work that workers perform every day.

Because these accidents remain so common, New York has adopted additional worker protections for many construction activities beyond federal OSHA regulations. Those laws become especially important when a worker is injured in an elevation-related accident or another incident involving construction site safety requirements.

Falls on Construction Sites

Falls continue to be the most common Fatal Four hazard, both nationwide and in New York.

A fall does not always involve a skyscraper or a towering crane. Workers may be injured after falling from:

• Scaffolds
• Ladders
• Roofs
• Structural steel
• Floor openings
• Aerial lifts

Sometimes the distance is only several feet. Even then, the injuries can be life-changing.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 24 of New York's 50 fatal construction injuries in 2024 involved falls, slips, or trips, meaning nearly half of all fatal construction accidents in the state involved some type of fall. That statistic helps explain why fall protection continues to receive so much attention from both OSHA and New York lawmakers.

New York also has one of the country's best-known construction safety laws. Labor Law §240, often called the Scaffold Law, imposes specific safety obligations on certain owners, contractors, and their agents during covered work involving elevation-related risks, including requirements involving scaffolds, ladders, hoists, and other protective devices. Whether the law applies depends on the type of work being performed and the circumstances surrounding the accident.

A recent OSHA investigation shows how quickly a fall can become fatal. In December 2023, a worker died after a worker died after falling at a construction site in Smyrna, New York, where employees were exposed to falls of 23 feet while replacing a roof. In June 2024, OSHA announced that it had cited the contractor for eight serious violations involving fall protection, training, and other safety requirements.

Every fall has its own reason. A missing guardrail, an unsecured ladder, deteriorating scaffolding, or an improperly protected floor opening may all lead investigators to ask different questions about how the accident occurred. Looking at the complete worksite conditions often provides a clearer picture than focusing on the fall itself.

Struck-By Accidents

A construction site can change by the minute. Cranes lift steel overhead, forklifts move pallets across the ground, and crews work at different elevations on the same project. With so much happening at once, struck-by accidents remain one of the most serious hazards workers face.

A struck-by accident happens when a worker is hit by an object, piece of equipment, vehicle, or moving material. Depending on the circumstances, the impact can involve enormous force, even at relatively low speeds.

Some of the most common situations include:

• Falling tools or construction materials
• Crane loads that swing unexpectedly
• Forklifts and other heavy equipment
• Dump trucks and backing vehicles
• Flying debris from power tools or demolition work

Busy jobsites often require several contractors to coordinate their work in a limited space. When communication breaks down, or work areas overlap, workers may find themselves in the path of equipment they never saw coming.

Visibility also plays a role. A laborer guiding materials on foot has a much different view of the site than an equipment operator sitting inside a loader or crane. Blind spots, noise, weather conditions, and congestion can all increase the risk of a struck-by incident.

After one of these accidents, investigators often review worksite layouts, traffic control measures, equipment operation, and witness accounts to better understand how the incident unfolded.

Electrocution and Electrical Hazards

Electrical accidents on construction sites may involve contact with overhead power lines, exposed wiring, defective tools, temporary electrical systems, or improperly energized equipment. In the most severe cases, electric shock can result in electrocution.

Electrocution accidents commonly involve:

• Contact with overhead power lines
• Exposed or damaged wiring
• Temporary electrical installations
• Defective power tools
• Improper grounding
• Failure to de-energize equipment before maintenance

One reason electrical accidents can be especially severe is that the danger is not always visible. A damaged extension cord may appear harmless until someone plugs it in. A metal ladder positioned a few feet too close to an energized line can create a life-threatening situation in seconds.

Construction crews often work outdoors in changing weather as well. Rain, standing water, or wet clothing may increase electrical hazards, making routine safety procedures even more important.

Investigations following an electrocution frequently examine whether electrical hazards were identified before work began, whether equipment had been inspected, and whether appropriate lockout or de-energizing procedures were followed where applicable.

Caught-In or Caught-Between Accidents

Some construction accidents happen because a worker is struck by an object. Others occur because a worker becomes trapped.

Caught-in or caught-between accidents occur when a worker is squeezed, crushed, pinned, compressed, or otherwise trapped by equipment, materials, structures, or other objects.

These accidents may involve:

• Trench or excavation collapses
• Heavy machinery
• Rotating equipment
• Collapsing walls
• Building materials shifting during lifting operations
• Workers pinned between vehicles and fixed objects

Excavation work deserves particular attention because conditions below ground can change quickly. Soil movement, vibration from nearby equipment, underground utilities, and weather may all affect trench stability. Without appropriate protective systems, a collapse can occur with little warning.

Caught-between incidents also happen around equipment operating in confined areas. A worker standing between a reversing vehicle and a concrete barrier, for example, may have little opportunity to avoid serious injury if communication breaks down.

Workers' Comp and Third-Party Claims After a Serious Construction Accident

A serious construction accident can leave workers and their families juggling medical appointments, time away from work, and uncertainty about what comes next. One of the first questions many people ask is whether workers' compensation is their only option.

New York workers’ compensation generally provides benefits for covered employees who suffer work-related injuries, regardless of who caused the accident. Workers’ compensation is ordinarily the exclusive remedy against the worker’s employer, but an injured worker may sometimes have a separate claim against another legally responsible party.

Depending on the circumstances, an investigation may also examine the actions of parties such as:

• Property owners
• General contractors
• Subcontractors
• Equipment manufacturers
• Companies responsible for maintaining machinery or safety equipment

New York has additional laws that apply to many construction projects. Labor Law §241(6) requires owners and contractors involved in covered construction, excavation, and demolition work to comply with specific provisions of New York's Industrial Code intended to promote jobsite safety. Whether the statute applies depends on the type of work being performed, the safety rule involved, and the facts surrounding the accident.

Because several companies often work on the same project, responsibility may extend beyond a worker's direct employer. Determining who controlled the work area, supplied equipment, or oversaw safety procedures often requires a careful review of contracts, worksite responsibilities, and the events leading up to the accident.

A New York construction accident lawyer can help evaluate those details and explain how workers' compensation and any potential third-party claims may relate to a particular situation.

What Evidence Can Help After a Serious Construction Accident?

Construction sites rarely stay the same for long. Equipment is moved, materials are replaced, and crews continue working, sometimes within hours of an accident. Because conditions change quickly, preserving information early can make a meaningful difference in understanding what happened.

Helpful evidence may include:

• Photographs or videos of the accident scene
• OSHA investigation findings
• Witness statements
• Incident reports
• Equipment inspection and maintenance records
• Safety meeting or training documentation
• Employment records identifying contractors working on the site
• Medical records describing the injury

The goal is not simply to collect paperwork. Each piece of information can help explain how the accident occurred and who may have been responsible for different parts of the worksite.

If heavy equipment was involved, inspection records may show whether it had been serviced properly. If the accident happened during demolition, photographs taken shortly afterward may capture conditions that no longer exist a few days later.

Workers recovering from serious injuries are not always in a position to gather this information themselves. Family members, coworkers, or a skilled attorney may be able to help preserve important evidence before it disappears.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I receive workers' compensation after a serious construction accident?

Many injured construction workers are eligible for workers' compensation benefits if the injury occurred during the course of employment. Eligibility depends on the circumstances and applicable New York workers' compensation requirements.

Can someone besides my employer be responsible for a construction accident?

Possibly. Construction projects often involve multiple companies working together. Depending on the facts, questions may arise about the responsibilities of property owners, general contractors, other contractors or subcontractors on the project, or equipment manufacturers.

Workers generally cannot bring an ordinary negligence lawsuit against their own employer when workers’ compensation provides the exclusive remedy, but claims may be available against other legally responsible parties depending on the circumstances.

Does New York's Scaffold Law apply to every fall?

No. Labor Law §240 applies to specific types of elevation-related work and does not automatically cover every fall on a construction site. Whether the law applies depends on the work being performed and the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Do I still need to report a construction accident to my employer if OSHA is investigating?

Yes. An OSHA investigation does not replace the steps an injured worker may need to take to report a workplace injury and pursue workers’ compensation benefits. Workers should notify their employer promptly, seek appropriate medical care, and follow applicable workers’ compensation reporting requirements.

Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law Can Help After a New York Construction Accident

A construction accident changes more than a work schedule. Recovery may involve surgery, rehabilitation, missed paychecks, and difficult conversations about the future. Having reliable information early can help workers and their families focus their energy where it belongs instead of wondering what their options might be.

You don't have to figure everything out on your own or feel pressured to accept the first solution presented after a construction accident. A careful review of the facts can provide direction and help identify the next practical steps.

Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, provides experienced guidance to injured construction workers throughout New York. Our legal team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and discuss the circumstances of your accident, so don’t hesitate to reach out anytime.