On Thursday, the St. Patrick’s Cathedral was filled with people gathering to remember the men and women who have lost their lives in fatal workplace accidents. Those gathered were construction workers and laborers honoring their fallen brothers and sisters. The St. Patrick’s Cathedral bell rang 17 times for the 16 construction workers who have died in the last 12 months in New York City, and once more honoring all those fallen since the beginning of the annual memorial Mass in 2008.
According to the New York City Department of Buildings, the total fatalities at construction sites is up this year. The number of injuries at construction sites has doubled since 2014, climbing to 472 last year.
Those gathering together not only do so to honor those who have been killed but to raise awareness of the dangers of safety violations and negligence at construction sites. Many attribute this rise in deaths to the rise in non-union jobs in New York. Only two of the deceased were members of a union, and the other 14 deaths were from non-union companies. Many are worried that non-union companies are negligent of life-saving safety regulations and procedures. New York City is not alone. The construction industry is reported to be among the most dangerous working environments in our nation. This industry continues to show the highest amounts of injuries and fatalities occurring on construction job sites.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a construction accident, contact Meyerkord & Kurth, as quickly as possible. Our personal injury attorneys specialize in workers’ compensation and wrongful death claims. Let us help you understand your legal options and learn how much you could receive in an insurance settlement or a jury verdict. Contact Meyerkord & Kurth, for a free no-obligation consultation today.