Workplace Injuries in New YorkHow Do These Injuries Happen, and What Can Workers Do Following an Injury?

Working in New YorkNew 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.

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.

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

Common Types of Workplace Injuries• Broken Bones• Back Injuries• Spinal Cord Injuries• Head/Neck Injuries• Traumatic Brain Injuries• Knee and Shoulder Injuri

es• Repetitive Stress Injuries• Loss of Limbs

Injuries in NYC ConstructionConstruction 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

Scaffolding Collapses In New York CityFalls 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

Heavy Equipment Accidents in the WorkplaceWorkers 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

OSHA’s Top 10 Safety Standard ViolationsTo 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

More Dangerous Sectors for Workplace InjuriesConstruction 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

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.

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.

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