Fatal Falls in the Workplace in NYC

Understanding Fatal Falls in the Workplace: Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in NYC Explains

Unintentional injuries caused by accidents are one of the leading causes of death. One of the most common causes of accidental deaths are falls, which is the second-most common cause in the world and the third-most common in the United States. Falls can happen in a variety of ways, including due to the pure negligence of a homeowner, business owner, property manager, government agency, or another type of person or entity that is responsible for the upkeep of the premises. This includes employers, where falls at work are one of the most common injury-causing types of accidents resulting in a claim for workers compensation. According to statistics, over 800 workers die each year in workplace slip and falls, and more than 211,000 people suffer serious personal injuries. Another 351 construction workers die each year to falls on a job site, which is the leading cause of death of construction workers. Our experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in NYC knows that these types of accidents are devastating to a family, who often relies on the income from their deceased love one.

Here at O’Connor Law, our compassionate and skilled team of workers’ compensation lawyers and professionals can help families recover the compensation that they deserve when a loved one is killed in a workplace accident – especially when that accident is a fall. These types of claims are very complicated, and we have a proven track record of success helping victims and their families recover compensation through workers’ compensation laws or, where appropriate, pursue a third-party claim against a negligence defendant. If you were seriously injured in a workplace fall, or if you lost a loved one in a fatal workplace fall, please call our compassionate and experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in NYC to schedule a FREE case evaluation.

Common Causes of Workplace Falls

Whether you are a construction worker or an office worker, all workers are at a fall risk. Even basic walkway surfaces and pose a serious and significant risk of falling if the premises are not properly maintained. Victims who suffer a fall are at a higher risk of dying when a fall occurs on stairs, outside, on concreate or strong floors, or in other areas where the impact could be severe or the victim may not be discovered right away.

Some of the most common causes of workplace falls include the following:

• Falls on the stairs at Riker’s for correction officers
• Falls by home health aides going up and down stairs or in a patient’s home
• Falls on wet floors from spills, leaks, or tracked in rain or melted snow
• Falls on uneven flooring or gaps in the flooring
• Falls when home health aides are carrying, moving, or assisting patients in and out of bed, the shower, a wheelchair, or another location that could result in a hazard
• Falls from a height by construction workers, including off scaffolding, a ladder, or another elevated position
• Falls by other workers on stairs that are not properly made, broken, uneven, or otherwise dangerous
• Other types of falls that could result in a fatal injury or the wrongful death of an innocent person in New York City.

Workers’ Compensation for Fatal Falls in the Workplace in NYC

Workers are covered by workers’ compensation laws which are meant to compensation them for medical bills, lost wages, and permanent disability caused by a workplace accident. However, when a worker is killed in a workplace accident, many families ask what can be done to recover compensation for the loss of their loved one beyond medical bills, lost wages, and permanent disability.

Fortunately, New York’s workers’ compensation laws allow a family to recover a death benefit for the loss of a loved one at work. Under these laws and regulations, a family may obtain up to two-thirds (2/3s) of their loved one’s average weekly wages for life, until the spouse remarries, or upon another condition. The exact prescription of the benefit depends on the surviving family members (whether just a spouse or a spouse plus children).

Moreover, there are certain instances where a family may be entitled to commence a third-party action against a defendant who caused the wrongful death of a loved one. In these situations, families should call our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers in NYC to learn more about your rights to compensation.

Families Who Lost Loved Ones in Fatal Falls in the Workplace in NYC Should Call Our Law Firm

If you have lost a loved one in a workplace fall accident, call our experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in NYC at O’Connor Law to learn more about your rights under New York law. The law allows families to recover death benefits in certain instances and to also commence a third-party action in rarer circumstances, both which can help a family pay for medical bills, funeral expenses, and lost future income due to a workplace fall. To learn more, schedule your FREE appointment to learn about your rights by calling (844) 692-6671 or by sending us a private message through our “Contact Us” box available here.