US construction accidents cause consternation
The statistics for construction site accidents in the US make for grim reading and have consequently caused city journalists to pass comment. Susan Donaldson James has written on the ABC News website that the New York construction business is “a horribly regulated industry.”
The 2008 article states that, according to federal Bureau of Labour statistics, 43 people died in New York construction site accidents in 2006. This figure was up a staggering 87 percent on the previous year, when 23 people died.
In the US, construction deaths represent 20 percent of all work-related fatalities, with a total of 1,226 in 2006. Mining saw 836 workers lose their lives and 447 died in manufacturing jobs.
Donaldson argues that the rise in construction worker deaths in the US can be attributed to a mix of untrained immigrant workers, a disregard for safety regulations and profit conscious contractors who scrimp on items from labour to materials and beyond.
However, penalties for employers who flout regulations are low, averaging about $1,600 per incident according to an executive director of the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH). Employers face a maximum penalty of six months in prison if a worker’s death is found to be their fault.
Worryingly, the statistics show there is a disproportionate number of immigrant workers who die. In New York, illegal workers make up 86 percent of all deaths.
In an industry facing an economic downturn, the pressure to complete each project as cost effectively as possible is high.
As a consequence, the director of NYCOSH says, "There is no way an individual worker can stand up to a foreman and say his job is dangerous and he won't do it. He would be fired immediately. Even if you say they violated the law and will call OSHA to fight it, you're gone. You're fired. And the chances of getting your job back are nil."
Immigrant employees who are working illegally find it even harder to defend their rights in this hard-nosed employment environment.
bA New York lawyer who represents workers such as those involved in scaffolding accidents says, “Safety costs money. If you are motivated by profit, you are motivated to push people to move quickly and cut corners with safety. But you're playing with people's lives."
Construction accident compensation claims
If you have been injured in a UK construction accident that was not your fault or that was caused by someone else’s negligence you may be able to make a compensation claim with YouClaim. YouClaim’s panel of personal injury solicitors are experienced in making successful work-related compensation claims and are governed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, thereby guaranteeing you the highest level of professionalism at all times.
We operate on a no win, no fee basis, which means you do not have to pay for our legal services whether you win or lose. We also ensure you will receive 100% of any award that is made. Quite simply you will never have to pay us a penny.
So, if you wish to make a compensation claim call our free helpline now on 0800 10 757 95 and our friendly operators can advise you if you are eligible to claim. Alternatively we can call you back at a time to suit you or you could fill in our online form and we will look into your construction accident claim before calling you back at a time of your choosing.
