As the New York skyline fills with more high rises, the number of fatal construction accidents has also risen. These accidents occur both inside and outside the building. Each death of this kind has serious consequences for the family left behind, and surviving family members may be entitled to significant compensation for all they have lost.

According to The Architect’s Newspaper, the deadliest industry in New York City is construction. With skyscrapers among the tallest in the world, about 20 deaths occur annually and some may go unreported. Common causes of construction-related deaths in the past few years include falling debris and equipment crushing workers.

The fatality rate has remained constant, prompting the city to enact more safety training requirements. The 40-hour required training must be completed by September 2020 by all workers. The goal of the training is to have workers take safety more seriously. This is the city’s way of adding more protections for construction workers — and hopefully to lower the fatality rate.

In matters of wrongful death related to personal injury and construction accidents, the law prioritizes wrongful death financial rewards. Should a wrongful death case result in damages awarded, the priority goes to the spouse, then the children, then the parents of the deceased.

However, there is a statute of limitations for wrongful death cases, and it is wise to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after the wrongful death of a loved one. In cases involving fatal construction accidents, multiple parties may be liable for the death and the financial duress experienced by the surviving family. An experienced wrongful death attorney can investigate the case and determine the best strategy for getting the family the financial compensation they need to move forward.