WGK Personal Injury Lawyers | March 12, 2026 | Wrongful Death
Construction sites are known to be some of the most dangerous workplaces in the country. Roughly 1,000 construction workers die each year due to on-the-job accidents. In 2019, there were 1,030 deaths on construction sites.
In fact, construction deaths account for about 20% of all workplace deaths across the country each year.
Leading Causes of Construction Accident Deaths
Construction workers are exposed to workplace hazards every day. Unfortunately, many of these workers are involved in fatal accidents. The leading causes of construction accident deaths largely remain unchanged each year.
Those causes are:
- Falls: Falls are consistently the number one cause of construction accident deaths, accounting for more than 35% of construction deaths. Workers often are required to use ladders, scaffolding, and other equipment that puts them at dangerous heights, and these workers are at an increased risk of an accident.
- Electrocution: Exposure to electrical current can be deadly, and about 7% of construction deaths are the result of electrocution.
- Struck by object: Workers are at risk of being struck by various types of objects on a construction site, such as tools, debris, and equipment. This is usually the second leading cause of construction deaths each year.
- Caught in or between objects: Crush accidents are all too common on construction sites. This happens when a worker gets pinned between objects, machinery, or equipment. It can also happen when equipment or other objects collapse and crush a worker.
- Hazardous exposure: Construction workers are exposed to many types of hazardous conditions, such as chemicals or extreme temperatures. This type of exposure results in many deaths each year.
After an accident resulting in wrongful death, the victim’s family will want to know who can be held accountable.
Who Can Be Held Responsible For a Deadly Construction Accident in Baltimore?
Determining liability after a fatal construction accident can sometimes be challenging. Since these accidents happen on the job, workers’ compensation typically applies. It is important to understand that workers’ compensation will provide death benefits to the worker’s family, and these benefits are often an exclusive remedy. This means that the deceased worker’s family may not be able to sue their loved one’s employer for their loss.
However, these accidents often involve third-party claims. A third-party claim exists when another party’s negligence caused the accident. Some other parties who may be held responsible for these accidents are:
- Contractors and subcontractors
- Equipment manufacturers
- Service or maintenance providers
- Property or building owners
- Others responsible for site safety
These cases can sometimes be very complex, so you may need the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer to understand all your legal options.
What Types of Damages Are Available After a Fatal Construction Accident
If your loved one has died as a result of a construction accident, you may be entitled to recover damages through a wrongful death claim. These damages are designed to compensate surviving family members for both the financial and personal losses resulting from the death.
Damages that may be available include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical expenses related to the final injury or illness
- Loss of the deceased’s expected earnings, benefits, and financial support
- Loss of household services the deceased would have provided
- Loss of companionship, guidance, care, and support
- Loss of consortium (for a spouse)
In many cases, a separate survival action may also be brought on behalf of the deceased’s estate. In a survival action, the estate may also recover damages the deceased could have pursued if they had survived, such as:
- The deceased’s conscious pain and suffering prior to death
- Emotional distress experienced before death
- Lost wages between the time of injury and death
In certain cases, punitive damages may also be available if the at-fault party’s conduct was especially reckless or intentional, though availability depends on state law.
What To Do After a Construction Accident
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a construction accident, following these steps can help maximize your compensation:
- Seek immediate medical treatment for your injuries
- Report your accident to your employer
- Get as much evidence as possible, such as photos and names of witnesses
- Never admit fault for the accident
- Get help from an experienced construction accident lawyer
Construction workers and their families should not be left to deal with the consequences of these unfortunate accidents on their own.
Contact WGK Personal Injury Lawyers To Schedule a Free Consultation With a Baltimore Personal Injury Attorney
Each year, the number of construction worker fatalities serves as a stark reminder of just how dangerous these job sites can be. While the average may hover around 1,000 deaths annually, each statistic represents a real person and a family forever impacted by a preventable tragedy.
If you have lost a loved one in a construction accident in Baltimore, Maryland, contact WGK Personal Injury Lawyers as soon as possible. We offer a free consultation with a Baltimore construction accident lawyer.
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers
14 W Madison St, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
(410) 837-2144
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers – Dundalk Office
7329 Holabird Ave Suite 3, Dundalk, MD 21222
By appointment only
(410) 970-3080