New York Safety Crisis In Construction Industry Remains Ongoing

Jeff Korek Discusses Construction Industry Safety Crisis on WTBQ FM as Deaths Across New York Are At The Highest Point in 10 Years

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (July 8, 2025) – There has been a sharp rise in the number of fatal construction accidents across New York City and New York State.

According to the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health, there were 30 construction deaths in New York City in 2023. An additional 74 workers died in construction related accidents across the state of New York that same year.

By contrast, there were just 13 deaths in the construction industry in New York City recorded for 2020. This is more than a 100% increase in just three years.

Jeff Korek is a trial attorney and senior partner at GLK Law in New York City. He was interviewed by WTBQ FM to discuss the safety crisis.

According to Korek, the increase in construction deaths are coming at the same time that the White House and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are scaling back resources to protect workers.

In particular, there was an OSHA plan to establish national workplace heat regulations. These heat safety regulations were scrapped as part of an executive order.

This comes despite the fact that construction workers and warehouse workers are routinely exposed to dangerous levels of heat. At least three workers from New Jersey died at an Amazon warehouse in 2022 from heat-related illnesses.

As deaths and injuries have increased, the financial punishments for companies that violate safety regulations have decreased. Construction companies without unions tend to have a worse safety record.

“A significant majority of the construction deaths are occurring on non-union sites, non-union–where safety protocols may be lax. Workers often lack proper training and protections, and that calls for stricter enforcement of these safety standards by OSHA. And if you’re gutting OSHA, you’ve got less ability to govern these non-union sites,” says Korek.

As a trial lawyer, Korek has been a longtime advocate for workers injured on the job. He is committed to the principle that workers should not have to make a choice between keeping their job and staying safe.

Liability for New York City Construction Accidents

The construction industry continues to account for a disproportionate number of serious injuries and fatal accidents each year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “In 2022, nearly 1 in 5 workplace deaths occurred in the construction industry and 38.4 percent of these deaths were due to falls, slips, and trips. The construction industry accounted for close to half, 47.4 percent, of all fatal falls, slips, and trips in 2022.” For that reason, it is imperative that construction companies in New York City strictly adhere to OSHA safety regulations.

• Fall Protection: Employers must provide workers with fall protection when they are at elevations of 6-feet or higher.
• Training: Employers must provide workers with adequate training to perform their job duties and identify workplace hazards.
• Job Site: Employers must maintain job sites in a reasonably safe condition that is free from hazards that may result in serious injury or death.

Construction companies in New York have a legal obligation to protect their workers from foreseeable sources of harm. Building owners and general contractors are strictly liable for gravity-related accidents under New York Labor Law 240. This includes instances when a worker falls or is struck by a falling object. To that end, workers should be protected by scaffolds, guardrails, and personal fall arrest systems (PFAS). Several steps should be taken after any construction accident.

• All medical records related to injuries should be preserved.
• The accident should be reported to OSHA so that they can conduct an investigation.
• Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
• An experienced construction accident attorney should be contacted.

It can be expensive to complete any construction project. For that reason, it is not particularly surprising that many construction companies choose to cut costs wherever they can. But in far too many situations, these shortcuts lead to significant safety lapses that imperil the well-being of workers. It is ultimately workers who pay the price for these actions with their bodies and lives. Any person injured in a New York construction accident may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.

Getting Legal Help After New York Construction Accidents

We at GLK Law extend our deepest condolences to all of the families who have lost loved ones in the construction industry across New York. As New York City construction accident attorneys, we have witnessed first hand how devastating these incidents can be on families and entire communities. As fatal accidents have continued to increase, now is the time to pour more resources into protecting workers. Scaling back worker protections in the name of efficiency is counterproductive and harmful.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a New York construction accident? You may have legal recourse. Our team of New York City construction accident attorneys are here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.