Hunter Foley (Full Name: Hunter Michael Foley), of Watertown, Died in Construction Accident Involving Excavator at Worksite on Coon Hill Road in Skaneateles
SKANEATELES, NEW YORK (January 26, 2026) – A worker identified as Hunter Foley has tragically died in a Skaneateles excavator accident at a property on Coon Hill Road.
Onondaga County officials are saying that the accident took place around 10:30 AM on Thursday. Hunter Foley was working at the property when he was hit in the head with an excavator.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the victim. Hunter Foley was transported to Upstate University Hospital in critical condition.
Despite life-saving measures at the hospital, he was pronounced dead due to the severe nature of his injuries. A full investigation into the Skaneateles industrial accident remains ongoing.
Liability for Skaneateles Excavator Accidents
Business owners in New York have a legal obligation to protect their workers from foreseeable sources of harm. According to 29 U.S.C. § 654(a)(1), “each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.” There are a number of measures that employers should take to prevent excavator accidents.
- Training: Every person at a construction site that operates an excavator should be well trained and properly certified. It is a major violation to allow uncertified workers to use these pieces of heavy equipment.
- Inspections: Employers must ensure that excavators and other pieces of heavy equipment are inspected before each shift. In particular, they must make sure that the brakes, hydraulic lines, and tracks are all in working order.
- Spotters: Excavator operators should use spotters in situations where they may have blind spots.
- Operation: Excavators should always be used according to manufacturer specifications. Workers should avoid overloading the buckets or exceeding the rated capacity.
When workers are injured or killed in New York, they or their surviving family members may have recourse through the workers’ compensation system. This is a no-fault insurance scheme designed to help victims. The family of a deceased worker may also have legal recourse through NY Labor Law § 200. According to the statute, “All machinery, equipment, and devices in such places shall be so placed, operated, guarded, and lighted as to provide reasonable and adequate protection to all such persons.” When machinery is in an unsafe condition, it could form the basis of a negligence claim.
Steps to Take After New York Industrial Accidents
Accidents involving heavy equipment remain a major preventable cause of injury and death at worksites across New York in the United States. According to OSHA, “Struck-by objects is another leading cause of construction-related deaths. Approximately 75% of struck-by fatalities involve heavy equipment such as trucks or cranes. Safety and health programs must take into account the many ways struck-by accidents can occur.” It is important that actions are taken after any industrial accident in New York.
- Medical Evaluations: Even if accidents at a worksite seem minor, it is still important to receive a thorough medical evaluation. Many of the injuries associated with industrial accidents may not be immediately apparent.
- Violations: The safety record of the company involved should be heavily scrutinized. A number of serious injury and fatal construction accidents involve companies with very poor safety records.
- OSHA Report: If any worker is killed on the job in New York, OSHA will typically conduct an investigation into what went wrong. The report that they create should be sought and carefully reviewed.
- Legal Review: The family of any person who died in a New York industrial accident should seek an independent review of the incident with a team knowledgeable of New York labor laws. This team can help identify all liable parties and hold them accountable through a legal claim.
Excavator accidents tend to be the results of major safety lapses. Part of the problem is that many construction companies will work to complete projects as quickly as possible and neglect important safety standards. In far too many situations, it is ordinary workers who must pay for these mistakes with their bodies and lives. The family of any person who died in an accident with a piece of heavy machinery may be able to seek some measure of accountability and transparency through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating New York Excavator Accidents
We at Richmond Vona extend our deepest condolences to the family of Hunter Foley. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to OSHA. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent other tragedies like this. Several questions still need to be answered. What is the safety record of the company that owned this excavator? Is there a history of safety violations at this particular worksite?
Do you need more information about a Skaneateles industrial accident? Our team of workplace safety advocates is here for you. We are committed to helping workers and their families understand their legal rights and taking action to make work sites across New York safer. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular incident, we are here for you. You can contact us anytime at 716-500-5678.
