The construction industry is dangerous as many workers can be physically injured. Workers can be in any number of injuries while completing their job duties, including:
- Burns
- Eye injuries (i.e. blindness, vision impairment, eye lacerations, etc.)
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Punctures
- Bruises
- Electrocution or burn injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head trauma
- Chronic pain
- Physical illness (caused by toxic chemicals)
- Knee or ankle injuries
- Neck or shoulder injuries
- Wrongful death
While construction work can be innately dangerous, negligence can contribute to a worker’s injuries and accidents. Below, we will outline the top causes of construction site injuries, including those that are avoidable and caused by reckless or negligent actions.
Leading Causes of Construction Accidents
There are many different risks that construction workers face concerning potential injuries and accidents. The most common causes of worksite injuries include:
- Trench collapses. If a trench collapses, a person can suffocate or suffer crushing injuries. Steps should be taken to protect workers from collapses and to provide them wit protective gear; however, negligence or improper policy can lead to dangerous accidents.
- Falls from great heights. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has included falls as one of the four most common causes of construction fatalities (i.e. the Fatal Four). Construction site managers should take steps to protect workers by securing floor openings, checking ladders and scaffolds for defects, installing perimeter protection, and requiring the use of personal fall arrest equipment. However, accidents and negligence do happen.
- Scaffolding incidents. As we mentioned, falls from scaffolds can lead to serious injuries. Other types of scaffolding incidents include floor and plank collapses, slips and falls, falling objects hitting those under the scaffold, and faulty setup of the scaffolds.
- Improper safety procedures. Construction workers and managers have to adhere to OSHA guidelines concerning safety procedures and measures. Failure to adhere to these guidelines can lead to penalties as well as injuries for workers. For instance, failure to wear or properly use appropriate protective gear (i.e. safety glasses, hard hats, etc.) can cause a person to be injured, and if safety procedures were not enforced the employer may be held liable for a worker’s injuries.
- Repetitive motion injuries. These types of injuries can occur when a person repeatedly does the same motion or thing day in and day out. If a construction worker has a job that requires repetitive motion, their muscles and/or soft tissue may be damaged, which can cause mobility issues and chronic pain, and they may need surgery.
- Electrical accidents. Construction sites have a lot of wiring, electrical equipment, generators, and power tools that can shock and/or burn a person.
- Traffic accidents. Depending on the location of the job site, workers are at risk of being involved in a collision with vehicles passing through or on the site.
Get Legal Help
At the Law Offices of Charles R. Gueli, our attorney has over 25 years of legal experience. If you or a loved one have been injured while working on a construction site, we are here and prepared to provide you with high-quality service. Once you retain our services, we can help you minimize your liability and maximize your compensation, calculate your damages, negotiate or litigate your claim, and establish liability.
While you take the time you need to heal, you can trust our team to handle the case legalities. Contact our firm online or via phone (516) 628-6402 to schedule a free consultation.