Construction Accidents
Every year, thousands of construction workers are injured or killed in
workplace accidents. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has compiled a list of the leading occupational hazards to construction
workers. This list includes:
- Falls – Falls from elevated heights result in the greatest number
of fatalities for the construction industry.
- Stairways and Ladders
- Scaffolding
- Electrical
- Trenching and Excavation
- Motor Vehicle Safety or Highway Work Zones
Additionally, many individuals are injured or killed due to crane accidents,
falling objects and faulty equipment.
According to the most recent research by the
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry still reports more occupational deaths than
any other industry. Due to the riskiness of the construction industry,
OSHA has implemented safety rules to ensure that construction workers
have a safe place to work. These rules and regulations include guidelines
for fall protection, proper use of ladders, ground-fault protection, ladder
maintenance, slip protection, guardrail heights and many others. OSHA
also has regulations requiring employers to provide training and education
for workers who are presented with certain hazards.
Almost all occupational injuries suffered by workers at construction sites
can result in the employee receiving workers’ compensation benefits.
Unfortunately, workers’ compensation is not always enough to put
an injured worker back in the financial position he was prior to the accident.
Depending on the circumstances, there are also times when an injured construction
worker has the right to recover damages from other individuals responsible
for the worker’s injuries. Often, a general contractor, building
or property owner, or equipment manufacturer may be liable for a worker’s injuries.
For example, New York Labor Law §240 places a duty on contractors
and property owners to provide proper protective equipment (including
scaffolds, ladders, harnesses, tie-offs, hoists, etc.) to workers at elevated
heights. Additionally, those individuals and companies responsible for
the safety of the work site have a duty to instruct the employees of the
proper safety equipment and the safe way to perform a dangerous job. If
a worker is not provided proper protective equipment or safety training,
he or she may be entitled to recover a personal injury settlement from
those responsible.
To contact a qualified
personal injury attorney, contact toll-free 800-374-2144 or use the convenient
web contact form.