Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys, Services and Consultations
Construction is, not surprisingly, one of the most dangerous jobs out there due to the high risk of construction accidents among construction workers. There are over 10 million people working in construction in the United States, and of all work-related deaths, the construction industry has the highest rate at 21%.
Construction sites are typically unstable with unstable ground, exposed wires and other dangerous materials and large pieces of equipment, not to mention some construction jobs that require workers to work hundreds of stories up in the air. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one quarter of construction workers have been hurt on the job.
These types of accidents can cause very serious injuries and can even lead to worker fatalities. Statistics from 2010 show that 774 Americans died from construction accidents, making up almost 20 percent of all workplace fatalities in the country.
Construction is a dangerous industry and construction workers are susceptible to sustaining serious injuries, burns, and even death while on the job. That’s because construction sites are dangerous places with uneven terrain, exposed wires, dangerous materials and workers often work from tall heights.
Don’t be left in the dust by a construction accident, get the compensation you deserve. After a construction site injury you need time off work, you need medical bills paid and you may even have to permanently stop working. An attorney can help you get all of this in order and make sure you are financially secure for the future.
Some companies will try to avoid paying for medical bills and will not compensate for pain and suffering. That’s why you need an attorney who will fight for you and get you the compensation you deserve.
After you are hurt while working on a construction site, you will likely be taken to the hospital to be treated for your injuries.
You will need the medical bills paid, you will need time off work and you may not be able to return to work, depending on how serious your injuries are.
At the very least you may need to switch to a less labor-intensive industry.
An experienced lawyer will make sure that all bills, therapies and lost wages are compensated for. They will also help you wade through your workers’ compensation benefits and any lawsuits that need to be filed against the construction company.
An injury sustained on a construction site can lead to serious and life-threatening injuries or even death as well as broken bones, chronic pain, traumatic brain injuries and other injuries that may require ongoing medical care and therapy. Construction site injuries can also result in the need for mental health services if anxiety or a fear of heights is developed after the injury.
If you experience any of these traumatic injuries or conditions, you most likely won’t be able to return to work and mounting medical bills can lead to more stress.
When construction workers are hurt on the job, some companies will try to dodge paying medical bills and will offer little to no compensation for pain and suffering.
Ask an attorney for help if the documents you’re asked to fill out are complex or you aren’t sure what you’re signing because, in some cases, you can accidentally sign away all your rights.
Tell your supervisor that you have been hurt, and complete an incident report. Include information about how, when, and where the accident happened. List all the medical issues caused by the accident, even if they seem minor. Stick to the facts. Be sure to ask for a copy of the accident report and any other documentation for your own records.
Your employer and the insurance company will immediately start investigating and documenting after an accident, and so should you. Take pictures of your injuries, the scene of the accident, and the worksite. Write down everything you remember about what happened, including as many specific details as possible. Keep copies of any communication you receive from your employer, your doctors, workers’ compensation, or the insurance company.
Protecting your health is the priority. If you aren’t immediately transported to the emergency room, make sure you still see a doctor and get checked out. If you're initially seen by a company doctor or someone chosen by your employer, make arrangements to also see a doctor of your choosing. Follow your doctor’s instructions, and follow up as recommended. If you're having trouble getting medical care for your work injuries, speak with an attorney who has specific experience helping injured construction workers in your area.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the most common types of construction accidents that lead to construction worker deaths are known as the “fatal four.”
These common construction site accidents are falls, being struck by an object, electrocution, and getting caught in or between equipment and machines. According to OSHA, the fatal four kill 468 construction workers every year.
Construction workers often perform their duties from high places including rooftops, ladders and scaffolding. Falling from high places is the most common cause of construction accidents, accounting for almost 35 percent of all construction injuries.
Another common cause of injury at construction sites is slip and falls due to the tools and debris that are laying around as well as uneven and slippery surfaces.
Another hazard of working on a construction site is falling debris. This could be tools, building materials, pieces of scaffolding and so on. When these materials fall from tall heights, they can inflict some serious harm on workers below.
There are a lot of exposed wires, downed power lines and unfinished electrical systems at construction sites. This can lead to electrocutions, explosions or burns.
Other common construction site injuries
Don’t go through this process alone and be forced to settle for less than you deserve. Find an experienced construction attorney that can help guide you through the legal process and ensure that you or your loved one gets the compensation you deserve.
Whether you need medical bills paid for, pain and suffering compensation, lost wages or if a construction worker dies and you need to file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a loved one, an experienced attorney will be there by your side fighting for you through every step of the process.
30+ Attorneys, Over 150 years of law experience combined, 150+ Support Staff and Millions recovered for California.
