The Numbers Behind the Headlines
Construction fatalities don't always make the news unless they involve a dramatic crane collapse or multi-worker event. Most deaths happen one at a time, quietly, on sites in Nassau and Suffolk counties where a worker falls from a roof, is struck by a vehicle, or is caught in machinery.
OSHA's fatality database for New York's Region 2 shows that Long Island construction sites have consistently accounted for a disproportionate share of the state's construction deaths, particularly in residential and commercial renovation—the sector that dominates Long Island's construction market.
The Fatal Four on Long Island
OSHA's "Fatal Four" categories—falls, struck-by, caught-in/between, and electrocution—account for roughly 60% of all construction deaths nationally. On Long Island, falls dominate even more heavily, due to the prevalence of roofing work on residential projects.
**Falls from roofs** remain the leading cause. Long Island has a large stock of aging residential properties where re-roofing, addition, and renovation work is performed by small contractors with inconsistent fall protection practices. OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502 requires fall protection at six feet or more in residential construction, but compliance on small sites remains inconsistent.
**Struck-by incidents** from equipment and vehicles are the second leading cause. Long Island's mix of suburban residential and commercial construction means workers frequently work in close proximity to vehicle traffic and mobile equipment.
**Electrocutions** on Long Island often involve contact with overhead power lines during roofing or tree work adjacent to construction sites—an area where OSHA 29 CFR 1926.416 (electrical safety) citations are common.
The Trades at Highest Risk
Based on OSHA fatality data for Long Island and surrounding areas:
**Roofers** face the highest fatality rate per worker, driven by the volume of residential re-roofing work and the relatively informal contracting structures in that trade.
**Ironworkers** have a high rate per hour worked, concentrated in commercial and industrial projects in Nassau County.
**Laborers** doing demolition and site prep work face significant struck-by and cave-in risks.
What Labor Law 240 Means for Fatal Falls on Long Island
For family members of a worker killed in a Long Island construction fall, New York Labor Law 240 provides the foundation for a wrongful death claim. The strict liability standard means:
Fatal fall cases on Long Island have resulted in wrongful death settlements ranging from several hundred thousand dollars (for workers near retirement with limited remaining earnings) to $10 million or more (for younger workers with significant future income and severe pre-death suffering).
Residential Property Owners: A Common Misconception
One thing many Long Island workers and families don't know: homeowners can be liable under Labor Law 240. The homeowner exemption only applies if the homeowner did not direct or control the work. If the homeowner was actively involved in supervising or directing the construction, the exemption disappears—and they become a defendant along with the GC.
On Long Island, where many homeowners manage their own renovation projects and interact directly with crews, this distinction can be significant.
For Families: What to Preserve
If a family member died in a construction accident on Long Island:
Long Island wrongful death claims under Labor Law 240 operate the same as the rest of New York. A free consultation can help surviving family members understand whether a claim exists, who the defendants would be, and what a realistic recovery might look like.
