Learn about the most fatal and most common workplace injuries in NYC. How can you avoid a New York work injury and if it does occur, find out what you should do next.

1. Workplace Injuries in New
York
How Do These Injuries Happen, and What Can Workers Do Following an Injury?

2. Working in New York
New York is the home to
millions of hardworking
residents. Every day, New
Yorkers go to their jobs in an
effort to pay their rent, meet
their bills and provide for their
families. However, all of us are
just one workplace accident
away from having our lives
disrupted in immeasurable
ways.

3. Workplace Injury Statistics in
New York
• Nearly 150,000 non-fatal workplace injuries and
illnesses took place in New York’s private sector in
2014, as reported by employers.
• Over 64,000 injury and illnesses were reported in
state and local government sectors in 2014.
• In 2014, there were 78 fatal work injuries in New
York City alone, a 22 percent increase from 2013.

4. Top Causes of Fatal
Workplace Injuries in NYC
• Transportation Incidents -
18 percent
• Falls, Slips and Trips - 26
percent
• Violence (or injuries by
persons or animals) - 32
percent
• Contact With Objects or
Equipment - 10 percent

5. Common Types of Workplace
Injuries
• Broken Bones
• Back Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Head/Neck Injuries
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Knee and Shoulder Injuries
• Repetitive Stress Injuries
• Loss of Limbs

6. Injuries in NYC Construction
Construction injuries rose 34 percent in New York from the
fiscal year of 2014 to 2015, while on-site fatalities nearly
doubled. Indeed, construction has proven to be one of the
most dangerous sectors for workers. Fatalities in the
construction sector made up 28 percent of workplace fatalities
in New York City. The Occupational Safety and Health
Administration has dubbed the top causes of construction
fatalities as the “Fatal Four.” They are:
• Falls
• Electrocutions
• Struck By An Object
• Caught In or Between Objects

7. Scaffolding Collapses In New
York City
Falls in construction are often due
to structural collapses, like
scaffolding, buildings or cranes. In
a study by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, it was found that 72
percent of scaffolding collapses
occurred due to:
• Planking or support giving way
• An employee slipping
• An employee being struck
by a falling object

8. Heavy Equipment Accidents
in the Workplace
Workers in construction or manufacturing also frequently work with
heavy machinery and are therefore at a greater risk for injuries on the
job. Here are a few pieces of heavy equipment that might cause
workers injury:
• Graders
• Dozers
• Cranes
• Hydraulic Lifters
• Loaders
• Elevators
• Construction Tractors
• Asphalt Pavers

9. OSHA’s Top 10 Safety
Standard Violations
To give you an idea of why so many workers are injured every single year, we have
provided below OSHA’s own top ten list of the most frequently cited standards in the
fiscal year 2015.
• Fall protection, in the construction sector
• Hazard communication standard, in general industries
• Scaffolding, general requirements, in the construction sector
• Respiratory protection, in general industries
• Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), in general industries
• Powered industrial trucks, in general industries
• Ladders, in the construction sector
• Electrical, wiring methods, components and equipment, in general industries
• Machinery and machine guarding, general requirements
• Electrical systems design, general requirements, in general industries

10. More Dangerous Sectors for
Workplace Injuries
Construction isn’t alone in having a high number of workplace
injuries. The following sectors also have many occupational
injuries and illnesses every single year:
• Manufacturing
• Mining
• Educational Services
• Leisure and Hospitality
• Nursing and Health Care
• Commercial Driving
• Firefighters
• Cell Phone Tower Workers

11. What Should Workers Do
After An Injury?
1. Inform your employer or supervisor of the injury,
preferably in writing.
2. Seek medical attention.
3. Keep records of your bills, treatment and
correspondence from your employer.
4. DON’T speak to your employer’s insurance
representative.
5. Contact an attorney familiar with workers’ compensation
claims.

12. Types of Workers’
Compensation Benefits
• Lost Wages - This includes the wages you were not able to earn
because of your injury.
• Disability Benefits - These benefits can equal two-thirds of your
former income during your recovery. If your injury results in
temporary or permanent disability, you can earn a large portion of
your previous wages.
• Medical Coverage - The costs you face from medical treatment
are also covered in workers’ compensation benefits. This includes
tests, treatments and ongoing care.
• Death Benefits - Survivors might also be able to recover benefits
of a loved one that passed away due to a workplace injury. These
benefits will help pay for funeral costs, loss of income and any
outstanding medical bills.

13. Have You Been Hurt On The Job?
If you believe you are deserving of workers’ compensation benefits,
contact us. The consultation is free, and there is no fee if we are
unable to obtain for you the benefits you deserve. At Kaplan Lawyers
PC, we understand the risks caused by delay, including being denied
the benefits that you deserve if your claim is not timely filed. Our
workers’ compensation attorneys are here to help you and your family
in your time of need.
www.kaplanlawyers.com