Construction is known as perhaps the most dangerous line of work due to the high rates of injury and death on the job. Roughly one out of every one hundred construction workers suffer injuries while working each year. Chances are that a construction worker will be involved in some type of accident during the course of their career, whether it is on a building site, in a road work zone, or any other construction site.
There is a category of construction accidents called the “fatal four.” These accidents cause the most fatalities of any mishaps on a construction site. Proper care can reduce the risk of these accidents, although it is not always used. As a result, construction workers are often at risk of serious injury on the job.
All it takes is one brief mistake to cause a serious construction accident, and it is not always the worker who makes the error. Benefits and compensation can be available for injured workers, but they must know their legal rights. If you suffered injuries, consult a Bronx construction accident attorney now.
Falls
Falls are by far the biggest cause of accidents and fatalities on construction sites. More than one in every three fatalities is the result of a fall. Not only is the construction worker often doing their job at a high point, but there are also many different things in their path when walking on the ground. Falls may occur due to the following and more:
- Slippery substances on the ground
- Debris on a walking path
- Failure to provide the worker with the necessary personal protective equipment
- Electrical wiring strung across the ground
- Scaffolding collapse
- Misuse of ladders
- Defective construction equipment
Construction companies must provide adequate personal protective equipment to their employees. They must also take steps to mitigate risks to their workers from falls. However, they often fail to uphold their own duties, placing workers at serious risk of injury.
Struck By Accidents
There is the potential for construction workers to be struck by various objects at a construction site. There may be debris that falls from heights, which is dangerous because things gather momentum as they fall. For example, debris on a high-level floor may not be properly secured and can fall and strike workers on the ground. Construction workers can also be struck by other swinging or flying objects and suffer serious injuries. Construction employees should be provided with personal protective devices to help prevent these injuries, but employers often do not do this, or the equipment is insufficient.
Caught Between Accidents
A construction worker may become trapped between two objects and suffer a catastrophic crush injury. Common examples of caught-between accidents include:
- Being pinned between a vehicle (such as a truck or backloader) and the wall
- Getting buried under a pile of dirt or rubble in a ground or building collapse
- Being pinned under a piece of heavy machinery
- Getting a body part caught in a machine
- Being pulled into a conveyor belt
Caught-between accidents are extremely dangerous. They can result in serious injuries if the accident victim survives. Caught between accidents can result in crush injuries that can require the amputation of a body part and even result in life-threatening crush syndrome (which can cause severe kidney damage).
Electrocutions
Electrocution is the last one of the “fatal four” accidents that can cause death or serious injury. A worker can come into contact with an active power line in a number of ways, including:
- Buried power lines that are not properly marked
- Contact with overhead power lines when working on a ladder or aerial lift
- Contact with energized parts of machines that are either defective or do not contain the proper safety guards
- Water coming into contact with active electrical power
- Inadequate grounding wires
- Overloaded circuits
Electrocution can cause burns, nerve damage, and even death. Electrocution results in almost one out of every ten deaths on construction sites. The industry has seven times the rate of electrocution deaths than in other lines of work.
Defective Work Products
There may be other causes of construction accidents that can put you in a position to potentially sue someone for your injuries. Defective work equipment is a common cause of construction accidents. The following work equipment can be defective:
- Power drills
- Backhoes
- Front-loaders
- Scaffolding
- Ladders
- Cranes
- Electrical wiring
The product can be defectively designed or manufactured. Alternatively, the manufacturer might have known of a safety problem with the equipment, yet they failed to warn users of any potential dangers. You might sue anyone involved in the stream of commerce for product liability injuries.
Lack of Training
From a broader perspective, a construction company’s lack of investment of time and money into training is a common cause of accidents. Construction workers must have extensive training before starting work in one of the most dangerous professions. Statistics show that 60 percent of workplace accidents occur in the employee’s first year on the job, concluding that better training can prevent many injuries. However, construction contractors often try to cut corners in any way they can to save money and meet deadlines.
Overwork
OSHA rules govern the acceptable length of a work shift and the amount of rest that a construction worker needs. However, when a contractor falls behind or is under a tight deadline, they may pressure their workers to perform excessive overtime. A tired construction worker is at a far greater risk of being injured in an accident. Their job requires them to exercise their best judgment at all times, and overwork can cause them to make mistakes.
Why You Need a Construction Accident Attorney
If you have suffered an injury in an accident on a construction site, you may have a potential lawsuit if a third party caused the accident. Workers’ compensation laws generally prevent you from suing an employer, but you can file a lawsuit against someone other than your employer who was to blame for your injuries.
A construction accident lawyer can review your case to determine whether there is a potential third party to sue. This requires an investigation and evidence to prove third-party liability for your injuries. You need the right personal injury lawyer on your side to maximize your financial recovery.
