Due to the number of hazards present in construction sites, construction employees are more at risk for injury almost every other profession. Each year, hundreds of thousands of construction workers are injured in some way in the workplace.

Construction work is a dangerous job

Clearly, construction work is a dangerous job, but that does not mean that those who work in it should be withheld from protection if they are injured due to the negligence of their employer. L&I will be able to help in some regard for these injuries, but due to the complexity of construction liability, and the seriousness of most injuries, a personal injury lawyer is oftentimes necessary in fighting these claims.

The fact of the matter is that the company you work for is responsible for providing you and the other employees with a safe working environment. If you are injured on the job because of their negligence, they are liable and should pay for your damages. Construction companies have been dealing with injury claims for a long time, and are very skilled at distancing themselves from any fault. This is why it is so important to seek the advice of an experienced construction site injury lawyer if you get hurt on the job.

Construction sites can be inherently hazardous environments, and various types of accidents and injuries can occur. Some common types of construction site accidents and injuries include:

1. Falls:
   • Falls from heights, such as scaffolding, ladders, or elevated work platforms, are a significant risk on construction sites.
2. Struck-by Accidents:
   • Workers can be struck by falling objects, equipment, or vehicles at construction sites.
3. Electrocutions:
   • Electrical accidents can happen when working with power lines, faulty wiring, or electrical equipment.
4. Caught-in/Between Accidents:
   • Workers may get caught in or between heavy machinery, equipment, or collapsing structures.
5. Trips and Slips:
   • Uneven surfaces, debris, or inadequate housekeeping can lead to slips, trips, and falls.
6. Machinery Accidents:
   • Accidents involving construction machinery, such as cranes, bulldozers, or forklifts, can result in serious injuries.
7. Trenching and Excavation Accidents:
   • Cave-ins and collapses in trenches and excavations pose a risk to workers.
8. Respiratory Hazards:
   • Exposure to dust, fumes, or toxic substances can lead to respiratory issues over time.
9. Repetitive Strain Injuries:
   • Performing repetitive tasks or maintaining awkward postures can cause musculoskeletal injuries.
10. Noise-Related Injuries:
    • Prolonged exposure to loud machinery and equipment can lead to hearing loss.
11. Chemical Exposure:
    • Contact with hazardous chemicals and substances can result in burns, skin irritations, or other health issues.
12. Fire and Explosions:
    • Accidents involving flammable materials or faulty equipment can lead to fires or explosions.
13. Heat Stress:
    • Working in extreme temperatures without proper precautions can result in heat-related illnesses.
14. Crush Injuries:
    • Workers may suffer crush injuries when caught between heavy objects or structures.
15. Structural Collapse:
    • The collapse of buildings or structures during construction poses a significant danger.

It’s crucial for construction workers to follow safety protocols, use personal protective equipment (PPE), and for employers to implement and enforce safety measures to prevent these types of accidents. Regular training, inspections, and a safety-conscious culture can contribute to a safer construction site.

Construction site accidents that forced an employee to miss time from work

There were over 26,000 injuries in 2009 resulting from construction site accidents that forced an employee to miss time from work. This translates to 382 of every 10,000 construction workers having to miss work due to an injury every year. Many of these injuries are very serious as well, and require the employee to miss a lot of days from work. The average injury in 2009 required construction workers to take 14 days off from work, and 33% of those injured missed more than a month. Injuries of this magnitude usually require very expensive medical care, which along with missed days of work, can lead employees into a financial hole. Even worse than an injury is an accident that leads to a fatality. The construction industry tops every other private profession in work related fatalities, with 819 in 2009. While this is a very tragic number, it is actually a decrease of 16% from 2008. This reduction held true as well for the amount of deaths resulting from building construction. If a friend or family member has died in a construction site accident, then you may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. Whenever you feel ready to do so, you should speak with an experienced wrongful death attorney for advice.

Certain injuries that are more common in construction site accidents

There are certain injuries that are more common in construction site accidents than others. Sprains, tears or strains make up nearly 32% of all construction site injuries. Accounting for 17% of all construction injuries are cuts, lacerations or punctures, while 12% were fractures. It is of the utmost importance for anyone in the construction field to understand how exactly these injuries happen. 25% of all injuries are caused by being struck by an object. Falling to a lower level stands as the second most common way people get injured – making up 10% of all injuries. Overextension is the third most common cause, at 9% of all construction injuries. Construction workers don’t only have to worry about those common physical injuries, though. In 2009, there were about 8,900 cases of illness that were caused by the working conditions that construction employees worked in. There are a lot of different ways that construction workers can get injured or sick on the job, but they should not be burdened with having to pay the medical bills when it was not their fault.

Please visit the website of Slepkow Law and Wrongful Death Attorney David Slepkow.