Construction Worker Injuries and Fatalities – Causes and Prevention

Construction Injuries and Fatalities – Common Causes

The risk of personal injury is quite high on construction sites, where sometimes dangerous industrial trucks, power tools and scaffolding can be found. Many accidents resulting in personal injury are caused by negligence, improper use of tools, poor planning, and failure to use protective equipment. And, many of these accidents can be avoided if the proper precautions are taken.

Falls are the number one cause of, not just injury, but death on construction sites. Falls account for one third of on-the-job deaths in the construction industry. Of these fatal falls, over 60% occur in businesses with less than 10 employees. The construction industry is responsible for around 20% of worker fatalities. OSHA has been making a big push to try to eliminate the “fatal four”, the top causes of construction worker deaths. The fatal four are: falls, being struck by an object, getting caught-in/ between and electrocutions.

Causes
Falling hazards are all around a construction site and can occur for several different reasons. Most occur from falling off a roof or through a skylight. If workers are not supplied with proper safety equipment the chances of a worker being injured due to a fall increase dramatically. At ground level, slips and trips occur when construction debris, materials, and power chords are lying around. Falls like these can be reduced by taking safety precautions, identifying potential fall hazards, and by implementing fall prevention solutions through proper worker training.

Prevention
The danger of a construction site cannot be avoided, but by taking the right safety precautions these dangers may not lead to injury. Use common sense and operate equipment wisely. And speak up, make sure Buncombe County contractors and fellow site workers are not putting your safety on the back burner just for quicker and cheaper construction.

It is the responsibility of construction companies to take steps in order to reduce the occurrence of these falls. Construction companies should make sure that all employees are informed of the plan for each job and what safety measures are available. Employers should also ensure that they provide the correct equipment for working at heights. It is also the responsibility to make sure that all employees are trained on how to properly use safety equipment and how to safely work on roofs and other high places.

We can Help
Typically when an employee is injured on the job they will go through workers compensation, however, if a death was caused by the negligence of an employer, his or her family might be able to bring a wrongful death claim on their loved one’s behalf. If the fall was the result of a faulty product it is possible to bring a product liability suit.

What damages can be recovered from a construction accident?
• Lost wages
• Medical bills
• Physical therapy
• Living expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Hidden or dismissed brain injuries

If you or someone you love has suffered a construction site injury, you should consult an attorney experienced in handling such cases. Here at Fisher Stark P.A. we have represented injured victims resulting from auto crashes, assaults, defective products, dangerous premises, brain injuries from falls and being struck by foreign objects. Call Fisher Stark, P.A. at 828-505-4300 today to set up your free consultation to discuss your legal options.