In July 2019 the Center for Construction Research and Training released a report called “Trends of Fall Injuries and Prevention in the Construction Industry” revealing that deaths from falls in construction have increased by 45% since 2011. According to the report, 389 construction workers died from falls in 2017. Not surprisingly, the vast majority of the fatal falls, 387, were falls to a lower level.
Small Companies Had Highest Rate of Fall Fatalities, Roofers Most likely to Die from Falling
- Employers with fewer than 20 employees only made up 39% of construction payroll employment, but they accounted for 75% of fatal falls between 2015 and 2017.
- The majority of falls to a lower level were falls from roofs, ladders and scaffolds, with the three making up 70% of those fatal falls.
- About one-third of fatal falls were from roofs.
- In 2017, 87 roofers fell to their deaths. The rate of fatal falls among roofers was more than 10 times the rate of other construction workers with 35.9 deaths per 100,000 full time employees.
Construction is an inherently dangerous industry, but the risk of falls and other fatal accidents increases dramatically when employers fail to implement basic safety standards. If you have lost a loved one to a fall in the workplace, in New York or Florida, McPhillips Fitzgerald & Cullum, LLP, is here to help. You may be able to recover substantial monetary compensation for your loss, so that you and your family do not have to face a future of financial uncertainty. Please call or email us today to schedule your free initial consultation.