Construction Site Fatalities in New Jersey, Trends and Preventions

A construction site is a place of progress, where our communities are built and strengthened. It should be a place where hardworking people can earn a living and return home safely to their families at the end of the day. Tragically, for too many families in New Jersey, that is not what happens. Construction remains one of the most dangerous jobs in our country. When a worker loses their life on a job site, it is a devastating event that leaves a family grappling with grief and an uncertain future.

The most painful truth about these accidents is that almost all of them are preventable. They happen when companies cut corners, ignore safety rules, and put profits ahead of people. When a family loses a loved one because of this carelessness, they have a right to demand justice.

Below, our team at Levinson Axelrod describes some sad trends in construction fatalities in New Jersey and explains the safety rules that should prevent them. If you have lost a family member in a construction accident, a compassionate New Jersey construction accident lawyer at our firm is here to talk with you for free. 

Understanding the Tragic Trends in New Jersey Construction Deaths

Losing a worker on a job site is not a rare event. It is a serious and ongoing problem in our state. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the construction industry consistently has one of the highest numbers of fatal work injuries in New Jersey. The New Jersey Department of Health also tracks these tragedies, highlighting the need for better safety.

Our state government recognizes that these are not just statistics; they are a public health crisis. New Jersey law, under NJ Stat. § 26:2KK-1 officially states that preventing injuries is a major public health goal. Every fatality is a sign that the system failed to protect a worker. Understanding why these accidents happen is the first step toward preventing them.

What are the leading causes of fatal construction accidents in New Jersey?

The federal government's safety agency, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), has studied construction deaths for decades. They found that the vast majority of fatalities are caused by what they call the "Fatal Four." These are the four biggest killers on construction sites across the country, including here in New Jersey. You can learn more about them on the OSHA website.

1. Falls

Falls are, by far, the number one cause of death for construction workers. These are not simple trips. They are falls from significant heights, often from:

• Roofs
• Scaffolding
• Ladders
• Unprotected edges of buildings or floors

These deaths are almost always preventable with proper safety gear like harnesses, lanyards, and guardrails.

2. Struck-By-Object Accidents

This happens when a worker is hit with extreme force by an object. Common examples include:

• Being hit by falling tools or building materials from above.
• Being struck by a piece of heavy equipment like an excavator or a forklift.
• Being hit by a vehicle on a road construction site.

3. Electrocutions

Contact with high-voltage electricity can cause instant death. These accidents often happen because of:

• Contact with overhead or underground power lines.
• Faulty wiring on the job site.
• Improper use of power tools or extension cords.

4. Caught-In/Between Accidents

This is when a worker is crushed, squeezed, or pinned between two objects. The most common examples are:

• Trench collapses, where the walls of an excavation cave in and bury a worker.
• Being pulled into or crushed by heavy machinery.
• Being pinned between a piece of equipment and a wall or other large object.

Our skilled New Jersey construction accident attorneys know that when a death is caused by one of the Fatal Four, it is a huge red flag that a safety rule was broken.

How New Jersey Laws Are Designed to Prevent These Fatalities

There are many strong laws in place that are meant to prevent these tragedies from ever happening. When a worker dies, it almost always means one of these rules was ignored.

• The Uniform Construction Code (UCC): New Jersey has a detailed set of rules for how buildings must be safely constructed. The law sets standards for safe materials and building methods to prevent structural collapses.
• Specialized Training Rules: For certain high-risk jobs, like working on public utility lines, the law is even stricter, requiring that workers in these jobs complete special OSHA-certified safety training.
• The State Industrial Safety Committee: New Jersey even has a special committee created by law whose job is to advise on accident prevention and help make workplaces safer.

These laws, along with hundreds of pages of OSHA regulations, are supposed to form a shield of protection around every worker. When a worker dies, it means that the shield was broken.

What Legal Options Does a Family Have After an NJ Construction Fatality?

When a family is grieving the loss of a loved one, the legal system can feel overwhelming. It's important to know that you have rights, and there are two main paths to get financial support for your family's future.

1. Workers' Compensation Death Benefits

The family of a worker killed on the job is usually entitled to workers' compensation death benefits from the worker's direct employer. These benefits can help pay for funeral expenses and provide a portion of the worker's weekly wages to support the family. This is a "no-fault" benefit, so you do not have to prove the employer was careless to get it.

2. A Wrongful Death Lawsuit

This is a separate and more powerful legal claim. While you generally cannot sue the worker's direct employer, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit against any other "third party" whose carelessness caused the death. On a construction site, this could be:

• The general contractor failed to enforce safety rules.
• The property owner.
• A different subcontractor created the danger.
• The manufacturer of a faulty machine that caused the accident.

A wrongful death lawsuit allows a family to get compensation for the full measure of their loss. This includes the full amount of income the loved one would have earned over their lifetime, as well as money for the loss of their guidance, companionship, and care. The money recovered from a wrongful death lawsuit is often many times greater than what workers' comp provides.

Why Choose Levinson Axelrod When Your Family Has Suffered a Loss?

Handling a wrongful death case requires strength, compassion, and experience. At Levinson Axelrod, we have been helping grieving families in New Jersey for over 85 years.

No amount of money can ever bring a loved one back. However, getting justice can provide your family with financial security to face the future. It can also send a message that worker safety must be the top priority.

If you have lost a family member in a construction accident in New Jersey, please accept our deepest sympathies. We are here to help. Contact Levinson Axelrod today for a free and confidential consultation. With 10 offices across the state, we are your neighbors, and we are ready to fight for you.