Dealing with Dangerous Construction Site Injuries
Construction workers are employed on a variety of projects, from homes to schools to office buildings to stores to bridges to high-rises. We rely on these workers to create new buildings and help cities grow. However, working in this industry is very dangerous.
In 2016, 21% of workplace fatalities occurred in the construction industry , according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). That year, 5,190 construction workers were killed on the job. Most of these fatalities are caused by the Fatal Four: falls, electrocutions, getting struck by an object, and getting caught in between objects.
This may seem like a high number, but the good news is that OSHA and its partners have worked hard over the past several decades to make construction sites safer. Worker injuries have decreased dramatically since 1972, from 10.9 incidents per 100 workers to 2.9 incidents per 100 workers in 2016 .
Types of Injuries
Burns are common in the construction industry, due to the electricity involved. Sometimes workers can get electrocuted by working near power lines or electrical outlets.
Because many workers do not wear proper protection, eye injuries are also common. These can be caused by sawdust, pieces of wood, or other objects hitting the eye.
Head injuries are also common, especially if falls are involved. A worker can fall off a ladder or scaffolding, landing on his or her head. Falls can also cause broken bones and knee injuries as well as injuries to the back and neck. Spinal cord injuries can also occur, causing paralysis and paraplegia.
What Happens Next?
Depending on the severity of your accident and the liable parties, you will have two main options. If your accident occurred on the construction site, you can file a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation benefits pay you for lost wages and medical costs while you cannot work. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, so you can receive benefits even if you were at fault for the accident.
If the accident was very serious in nature, you may want to consider filing a lawsuit. A lawsuit can help you recover much more money than workers’ compensation, so it is more appropriate for serious, long-term injuries.
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Construction is a dangerous industry. Many people are injured or killed by working on construction sites. While many accidents are caused by human error, sometimes the construction company or another entity can be held liable.
Construction injuries can be serious in nature, causing lifelong health issues. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a construction accident, it is important that you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact the Tulsa personal injury lawyers at BDIW Law for help with your case. They can assess your claim and determine liability. Call our office at (580) 203-6093 to schedule a free consultation.
