Construction Accidents: The Facts, Repercussions and Unavoidable Risks

Construction Site Accidents – Facts you cannot ignore

When you visit any construction site in the USA, you probably assume that it is safe in every conceivable way. You believe that all safety measures and precautions are already in place and have been carefully sorted out by the employer. If you are working at a construction site, you also assume that all your coworkers are properly trained and know how to function with the tools and equipment provided to them. In other words, you feel that the construction site is safe and you will not come to any harm while visiting or working there.

Unfortunately, this is not the case as construction site accidents are a reality you cannot ignore. Across the country, there are many construction workers who suffer injuries while at work. Sometimes, they are so severely injured that they may be crippled for life. Deaths due to ‘construction accidents’ are also a harsh reality with hundreds dying every year at sites.

Impact of Construction Accidents

In most cases, the injuries caused to the workers at construction sites in the USA can be attributed to simple causes. However, there are many such accidents that take place because of the irresponsible act or negligence of someone else. For instance, despite regular reminders, dangerous tools and equipment may not be serviced in time. Some critical safety instructions may have been ignored by supervisors or floor managers. Dangerous work areas may not have clear warnings or keep away signs. Poor and incomplete training of employees working on construction sites also lead to severe accidents.

Though there are strict regulations in place for keeping workers safe at work, they may be ineffective or ignored due to multiple reasons. The accidents taking place may leave workers injured in construction sites. Resultantly, the construction workers may have to face physical damages that may be mild, severe or those that lead to disabilities.

Legal Help to File for Compensation

Fortunately, experienced attorneys understand the nature and severity of such accidents. Well-versed in the regulations linked with compensation for injuries after a construction site accident, they are eager to help affected workers get their dues. They leave no stone unturned to file for compensation on behalf of their clients and strive to make good the losses.

If you or your loved ones have suffered injuries due to one such accident then what follows is for you. Here, we asked Houston construction accident lawyer, Stewart J. Guss, to throw light on some important aspects of construction site accidents to guide you forward.

Increase in Construction Accidents

As per a report by the United States Department of Labor (USDL), one of the most physically demanding types of labor-oriented work is construction work. This is because workers are subjected to several on-site risks as they work across the day. From the hazards of chemical exposure to dangerous machinery and bad falls, they suffer from a higher rate of injuries and illnesses, as compared to other workers in the USA.

As per another report published in 2019 by the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health, New York City saw a reduction of 23% in fatal injury rates in the case of construction workers. While this may sound encouraging, the overall rate of accidents at construction sites in NYC has increased by a whopping 39% in the past five years. This report also sheds light on the fines inflicted by OSHA against negligent employers for fatality cases.

Common Types of Accidents Occurring at Construction Sites

In most cases, accidents occurring onsite are a result of negligent or careless behavior on the part of workers or their management. It’s a matter of concern that this can prove to be very dangerous and cause serious accidents. A good attorney has knowledge about the different types of construction accidents, how and why they occur, and their repercussions. These attorneys are also aware of the legal rights of the injured or affected and how they may file for compensation.

The following list of different types of construction site accidents include:

• Construction problems – Defects in equipment, building materials, structures, etc. lead to an unsafe work environment. Additionally, violations in building codes, poor quality or obsolete tools can also lead to accidents.

• Roof accidents –The accidents caused when someone falls off an unstable roof, or if an unsecured object falls from the roof on someone below, can be fatal or leave behind serious injuries.

Ladder accidents – It is common for damaged or badly positioned ladders to cause accidents on construction sites. They lead to bad falls that pave the way for compensation.

Ceiling or roof collapse – Serious accidents can take place when improperly secured ceilings or badly constructed roofs collapse at construction sites. These collapses may also be the result of water leaks, structural defects, etc.

• Crane accidents – Cranes and other large equipment pieces can be the cause of injuries to nearby workers, innocent bystanders, supervisors and operators. Such accidents usually take place when construction companies fail to perform complete and timely maintenance, inspections or repairs; or when they fail to check for defects or malfunctions in a comprehensive manner.

The other common types of construction site accidents are those caused by falling from scaffolding and high places or equipment. Vehicle accidents and hazards caused by dangerous conditions prevailing in the workplace can also expose construction site workers to injuries, which may end up being fatal. The other common causes of accidents are respiratory diseases, overexertion and heat strokes.

Regardless of whether these types of accidents meet with your current situation or not, it is a good idea to talk to lawyers about your rights after asking for a confidential case evaluation.

Why Do You Need a Construction Worker Accident Attorney?

Have you just survived an accident at your construction site? If yes, you are about to start your fight for justice and compensation. However, as such cases tend to get complicated, you will need a construction worker accident lawyer to steer you forward. Along with explaining your rights as an accident victim, he will inform you about workers’ compensation and the rules that define them.

Will the legal proceedings require an OSHA investigation? What would be fair compensation for your injuries? Generally, victims like you need expert consultation and advice to navigate through such processes. An experienced injury attorney will stand by your side in these times of need. He will help you get compensation to cover your losses or damages caused by the construction site accident. These damages include and are not limited to:

- Past, current and future medical invoices

- Financial loss due to lost wages and the potential to earn

- Suffering, pain and emotional distress, etc.

If you have faced damages or are injured in any way on a construction site, then you deserve help. Don’t hesitate to contact a reputed construction worker accident firm to address your grievances. Remember, you will need legal help at this stage.

Who can be Held Liable?

An attorney who handles construction site accident cases knows how employers are responsible for the safety and care of their employees. This is specifically true in the case of those construction sites where heights and heavy equipment are involved. It is important for construction site owners, managers and supervisors to ensure adequate protection for workers through appropriate training, compliance with all latest industry standards, equipment maintenance, and the necessary safety protocols.

A skilled construction accident attorney can assess your existing situation and make you aware of the options on hand. For example, they can tell you about the liability of third parties in construction site accidents. These third parties include:

- Construction site owner

- Coworkers

- General subcontractors and contractors

- Architects

- Maintenance companies and inspectors

- Equipment rental companies and manufacturers of equipment

You may want to consult your construction accident lawyer and trigger an investigation to know if any of these third parties hold the liability for the accident.

Meet a Construction accident Attorney to Know Your Legal Rights

In case you have met with injuries in a construction accident, it is important to meet an experienced lawyer to discuss what to do next. You may be grappling with hospital visits, financial losses or other problems as an accident victim. If you are in the greater Houston area, reach out to Houston construction site accident attorneys to seek a free consultation. You will know your legal rights and what can be done to get the compensation amount due to you.

Stewart J Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers can help you figure out the best course of action at the most affordable costs. Their expert team of attorneys are backed by decades of experience to make you aware of your rights and protect them as well.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the management of EconoTimes