Jobs That Kill New Yorkers – Could You Have a Wrongful Death Claim?

On July 11, 2019 by No Comments

New York City is a bustling metropolis with commerce at every corner. It is an international hub of tourism and business, boasting one of the largest populations, some of the richest residents, and the tallest buildings in the country, and it’s remains a thriving port city to boot.

In order to make that happen, we’ve got thousands on the ground doing some of the toughest jobs out there every day. Is yours or the job of a relative one that poses a deadly risk?

If your loved one was killed on the job, it’s possible that you have a wrongful death claim. Below, we look at some of the deadliest jobs in the city and discuss the elements of a wrongful death suit.

Most Dangerous Jobs Around New York

First and foremost, employers have an obligation to provide a reasonably safe working environment. Neglecting safety standards can lead to a tragic — and preventable — fatal accident in the workplace. Read on to learn about the deadliest jobs in this city, and the types of accidents associated with them.

Commercial Fishing

Extreme weather and dangerous equipment, together with the physical demands of commercial fishing jobs, make accidents and injuries more likely.

Construction Workers

Construction workers work at high elevations, so are at a prime risk for falls. They are also at risk for being struck by heavy objects such as beams or equipment, which can cause fatal injury.

Electricians

Electrocution is always a high risk for work-related injury when you’re working with live wires. They also have an increased risk of falls and burn injuries, some of which can be fatal.

Loggers

Logging is a dangerous business, and carries a high risk for being struck by an object. Further, most logging accidents occur in remote areas, for example upstate New York, where medical help is often unavailable.

Pilots and Flight Engineers

They work long hours on irregular schedules. In fact, employers sometimes neglect regulations mandating that employees rest for a certain amount of time. This fatigue can result in disastrous accidents.

Roofers

Roofers work on elevated surfaces, so are at a high risk for falls. They’re also at a higher risk for slips and trips than many other workers, and the job’s physical demands can lead to injury.

Truck Drivers

Truckers are at a high risk of vehicle accidents, which can result in serious injury or death. Truckers are also forced to put in long hours, increasing the risk of fatigue-related accidents.

Keep in mind, this is not a complete list. Workplace accidents can turn fatal regardless of your occupation. If you or a loved one has suffered a fatal injury on the job, you may have a right to file a wrongful death claim.

Grounds for a New York Wrongful Death Claim

In order to bring a wrongful death claim against a loved one’s former employer, the following five elements must be proven:

• A death occurred.
• It was caused by the wrongful
  conduct of the defendant.
• The deceased could have legally
  pursued if death had not occurred.
• Decedents have suffered a loss as
  a result of the death.
• The estate can recover damages.

In plain English, this means that you must be able to prove that your loved one’s workplace accident could have been prevented, but because of negligence by another party you, as a survivor of your loved one, suffered financial damages.

If you think that you have grounds for a wrongful death claim, consider holding the responsible parties accountable with a wrongful death suit. This will compel the defendant to address the underlying causes, and alleviate the tremendous financial burden your loved one’s loss placed on the family.

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