The construction industry is one of the most hazardous industries to work in. Statistics show that one in five workplace fatalities are construction-related. Therefore, no matter how careful or diligent you are, you’re at risk of sustaining injuries on a construction site.
Unfortunately, construction site accidents can lead to severe and life-threatening injuries such as:
• Chronic back pain
• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Blindness
• Amputated limbs
• Long-term impairment
These injuries may affect your ability to earn wages and your mental and emotional well being. Luckily, you can receive compensation for injuries sustained on a construction site. Whether it’s lost wages, loss of enjoyment of life, medical treatment, and loss of earning potential, a personal injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve.
However, only an experienced personal injury attorney can provide you with the right legal representation. Hence, when you’re injured due to someone’s negligence, seek a lawyer familiar with personal injury cases.
Causes of construction site accidents
1. Falls
Falls are one of the most frequent construction site accidents, and they usually result in death. Since most construction sites have inadequate fall protection measures, you’re more susceptible to fall hazards. Some of the reasons why construction workers fall when working on-site include:
• Faulty equipment
• Hazardous scaffolding equipment
• Lack of fall prevention safety equipment
• Unsafe ladders
2. Electrocutions
Electrocution hazards remain a real threat to construction workers, especially those that deal with electricity daily. Electrocutions occur when you come in contact with power lines, or use faulty and damaged electric equipment. Additionally, lack of ground-fault and improper use of cords can result in electrocutions.
3. Slips and falls
Construction sites feature a lot of holes, uneven ground, and equipment that increase the risk of a slip or trip. Without the proper markings showing slip and trip hazards, you can easily break a bone.
4. Struck by an object
Many construction sites use heavy machinery to suspend loads, drop objects from higher grounds, or move equipment from one place to another. These loads can come loose and catch workers off guard, causing life-threatening injuries. Using faulty machinery is one of the leading causes of objects striking workers.
5. Getting “caught in between”
“Caught in between” accidents occur when you’re squeezed or crushed in between objects.
Don’t ignore a construction site accident
Although most construction site accidents are fatal, some may cause minor injuries. However, never ignore an injury because it’s small as some injuries may escalate and become severe with time. This only makes your personal injury case harder to pursue since you waited too long to report your incident. It’s wise to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as you’re injured to receive full compensation.
In contrast, don’t ignore a construction site accident because you believe that injuries are part of the job. While construction sites are hazardous, you may sustain injuries due to the negligence of your manager or supervisor.
For example, when a construction manager fails to provide the proper safety gear required to perform dangerous projects, they can be held liable for any injuries you sustain.
It’s also not wise to ignore your injury because you fear getting fired or don’t want to make frequent complaints. You may end up causing more harm than good, affecting your ability to work or provide for your family.
Steps to take after a construction site accident
1. Seek medical attention
2. Report the accident to your construction site manager and document it
3. Gather evidence by taking pictures of your injury and the location where the accident occurred
4. Contact a personal injury lawyer
For more information about personal injury cases, contact us at Guy Levy Law today.
