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A Washington construction worker died on the job every 19 days, on average, between 2020 and 2024. That's 97 deaths in five years, according to BLS and L&I data we pulled to see which hazards and which parts of the industry carry the most risk.
At Lehmbecker Law, our construction accident attorneys help injured workers understand what these numbers mean for a real claim, whether that's an L&I case, a third-party lawsuit, or both.
Before comparing construction to other industries, it helps to see how the numbers have moved on their own. BLS survey data shows the state's construction injury and illness rate falling over the past two years, even as fatal incidents on job sites remain stubbornly high.
The decline in the nonfatal rate is a meaningful shift, but it doesn't tell the whole story. Construction site accident statistics on the fatality side paint a very different picture, one where the industry has consistently ranked among Washington's most dangerous.
Construction rarely posts the highest nonfatal injury rate in Washington, but a handful of other sectors do, and seeing where construction lands relative to them puts the industry's risk profile in context.
Construction sat slightly above the statewide private-industry average in 2024, but well below natural resources and mining, which has held the state's highest injury and illness rate for at least two years running.
What sets construction apart isn't the volume of recordable injuries. It's the severity. A far larger share of construction incidents end in death, permanent disability, or long-term time away from work compared with lower-severity industries like retail or office-based services.
This is where construction industry injury statistics tell a more troubling story. According to the BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Washington recorded the following construction fatalities by year:
That's 97 construction workers killed on the job across five years, an average of roughly 19 fatalities per year.
L&I's own SHARP program found a similar pattern from 2018 through 2022: annual construction worker deaths more than doubled, climbing from 11 to 24, the highest total the agency had recorded since it began tracking construction fatalities in 1998.
Falls consistently rank as the single most common cause of death in this dataset:
Motor vehicle incidents, whether a worker was struck by a passing vehicle or involved in a crash while driving for work, ranked as the second most frequent cause of death during this period. These cases often open the door to a third-party claim against the other driver, in addition to L&I benefits.
Federal OSHA data and inspection records from Washington's own Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) point to a consistent set of hazards behind construction site accident statistics year after year.
Falls remain the most frequently cited safety issue on Washington job sites, both in citations issued and in fatalities caused. DOSH inspection data from October 2024 through September 2025 shows fall protection violations, including missing guardrails at the 4-foot and 10-foot thresholds required under Washington rules, among the most commonly cited problems, alongside gaps in a company's written accident prevention program.
Beyond falls, the hazards behind injuries in construction statistics tend to cluster around a few recurring categories:
Washington's workers' compensation system, administered through L&I under Title 51 RCW, generally provides no-fault benefits regardless of who caused the accident. That includes medical treatment, time-loss wage replacement, and permanent partial disability awards where applicable.
In most cases, an injured worker can't sue their direct employer separately, since the industrial insurance system is meant to be the exclusive remedy against the employer.
But construction sites are rarely run by a single company. General contractors, subcontractors, equipment owners, property owners, and material suppliers often share the same job site. A worker injured by the negligence of any party other than their direct employer may be able to bring a separate personal injury claim on top of L&I benefits, such as in cases involving faulty equipment, a negligent subcontractor, or unsafe conditions created by someone other than the worker's own employer.
Because these claims can move in parallel, with different deadlines and legal standards, it's worth having both reviewed together.
Construction remains one of the more hazardous industries in Washington, even as overall injury rates start to decline. If you or someone you love was hurt on a job site, knowing whether your case involves an L&I claim, a third-party liability claim, or both can significantly affect the compensation you're entitled to receive.
At Lehmbecker Law, we review the facts of each construction accident to identify every party who may share responsibility and every avenue of compensation that may apply. If you have questions about your situation, you can contact our team for a consultation to discuss your case.
If you were hurt working construction in Washington, you may have more than one path to compensation: an L&I claim, a third-party lawsuit, or both. We can help you sort out which options apply.
Washington recorded 97 construction worker fatalities between 2020 and 2024, an average of roughly 19 deaths per year, according to federal BLS data. Nonfatal injury and illness rates in the industry have declined recently, falling from 4.4 to 3.6 cases per 100 workers between 2023 and 2024.
Falls consistently account for the largest share of construction deaths in the state, followed by motor vehicle incidents and struck-by or caught-in/between hazards involving equipment, trenches, or falling materials.
It depends. Washington's workers' compensation system generally prevents a lawsuit against your direct employer, but you may be able to pursue a separate claim against a general contractor, subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or other third party if their negligence contributed to your injury.
Not always. L&I benefits typically cover medical treatment and a portion of lost wages, but they don't include compensation for pain and suffering. A separate third-party claim, when available, may provide additional compensation that an L&I claim alone does not.
L&I claims generally must be filed within one year of the injury date, while a third-party personal injury lawsuit is typically subject to a three-year statute of limitations under RCW 4.16.080. Because deadlines can vary by claim type, it's worth reviewing your situation as soon as possible after an accident.