NYC Construction Deaths Reached Record High in 2023

New York Committee for Occupational Safety & Health (NYCOSH) Report Reveals Thirty NYC Construction Workers Died in 2023

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (March 6, 2025) – A new report has revealed that 30 construction workers died on the job across New York City in 2023, the most in a decade.

The report was created by the New York Committee for Occupational Safety & Health (NYCOSH). It is the deadliest year for construction accidents since NYCOSH began tracking in 2013.

The fatalities occurred in a variety of different settings. One worker was crushed by a hydraulic lift. Three workers died after being trapped under debris while working in a trench at the John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The report cited staffing shortages at local and federal regulators. There is also a concern that OSHA will cease all ongoing rulemaking.

Liability for New York City Construction Accidents

The construction industry remains quite dangerous despite many years of improved safety standards. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Within the private construction industry, nonfatal workplace falls, slips, and trips that required at least one day away from work occurred at an annualized rate of 31.5 per 10,000 full-time workers in the 2-year 2021–2022 period. The rate across all private industry was 22.6.” Construction companies should take a number of measures in order to prevent accidents.

• Workers should be provided with personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) when they are working at heights of 6 feet or higher.
• Workers should be trained to identify workplace safety hazards.
• Certain locations at construction sites may need to be protected by guardrails.

Construction companies and general contractors can be held strictly liable for any accident where a worker falls or is hit by a falling object. Pursuant to New York State Labor Law § 240/241, a construction company could be liable for any gravity-related accident that injured their worker. Guardrails, personal fall arrest systems, and other measures can prevent falls.

A construction company could also be liable for a construction accident under New York Labor Law § 200. This statute codifies an employer’s general duty to maintain job sites in a safe condition. According to the statute, “All machinery, equipment, and devices in such places shall be so placed, operated, guarded, and lighted as to provide reasonable and adequate protection to all such persons.” Victims of construction accidents tend to suffer very serious injuries.

• Broken bones
• Head injuries
• Lacerations
• Spinal cord injuries

Construction accidents are often highly preventable. They tend to involve numerous safety lapses. This could include failing to properly inspect trenches. In many cases, workers are not given the training that they need in order to remain safe. Sadly, though, this doesn’t always happen. Workers are often the ones that have to pay for these mistakes with their bodies and lives. Any person injured in a New York City construction accident may have legal recourse through a civil claim.

Getting Legal Help for New York City Construction Accidents

We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the families of all the workers killed across New York City. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to stem the tide of these terrible accidents. No worker should ever have to worry that they could be killed or seriously injured due to lax safety standards at their job site.

Have you or someone that you care about been harmed in a New York City construction accident? You may have legal recourse. Our team of New York City construction accident attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims get the support and justice that they are entitled to under the law. You can reach out to our office anytime at (516) 908-9792.