Construction sites can be hazardous places where accidents are all too common. Whether it’s a fall from height, objects falling from above, or heavy machinery accidents, injuries on job sites happen frequently despite safety protocols. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident during a construction project, it’s important to protect your rights. Taking the proper steps is crucial in such situations.
In this article, we will outline the key steps for dealing with a construction site accident.
How Serious Are Accidents at Construction Sites?
The construction industry plays a crucial role in our economy. With over 919,000 construction businesses in the US employing around 8 million people, it’s a major driver of economic activity. However, construction work also carries significant risks.
Job sites can present many potential hazards. Workers face dangers from falling objects, heavy machinery, falls from elevated heights, and more. Given these risks, oversight of safety protocols is paramount. Both construction companies and individual workers must prioritize safety measures.
Injuries are an unfortunate reality across many fields. However, they occur at notably higher rates within construction than in other sectors. This is understandable, given the inherent risks when building structures. Physical demands, working at elevations, and using tools/machinery all enhance risk.
The construction industry saw a concerning rise in workplace fatalities, with an 11% increase from 2021 to 2022. As per BLS, in 2022, a significant portion of foreign-born Hispanic or Latino workers who lost their lives on the job were employed in construction. Out of 792 fatalities, 316 occurred in the construction industry.
The total number of construction worker deaths reached 1,056 in 2022. The most common cause of fatal incidents in this sector was falls, slips, and trips, accounting for 423 of the 1,056 deaths. This data highlights the ongoing safety challenges faced by the construction industry, particularly for certain demographic groups.
Clearly, construction accident prevention requires ongoing diligence from everyone involved.
What to Do Following a Construction Accident?
Prioritize Medical Evaluation
After an accident, your health should come first, especially if you’re on a construction site. It’s vital to get checked out by a medical professional, even if injuries seem minor at first.
Some issues may not cause pain immediately, so oversight ensures comprehensive documentation of your condition. Prompt evaluation also helps curb the risk of minor problems developing into major ones over time without care. Be certain to retain all records of your evaluations, as health documentation can support personal injury claims.
Promptly Report the Incident
Once medical treatment is underway, following the proper internal and regulatory reporting procedures is crucial. Familiarize yourself with your company’s accident notification policies as well as your state’s requirements, which may include specific deadlines.
Proper reporting safeguards all stakeholders and demonstrates responsibility. Submit your initial account in writing for documentation. Be as detailed as possible describing the circumstances, immediate actions taken, and known outcomes. More comprehensive information will need compiling for authorities like OSHA.
Take the Legal Route to Seek Justice
After a construction accident, victims often face a complex and challenging situation. Work-related injuries may be covered by workers’ compensation. However, consulting with a construction accident attorney specializing in this law is crucial. The legal professionals can guide you through the process, from filing a workers’ compensation claim to potentially pursuing a personal injury lawsuit if appropriate.
As per TorHoerman Law, a skilled attorney can help injured workers and their families focus on recovery while managing the legal processes. They will work to identify and quantify all damages resulting from the accident, including:
1. Economic damages: Quantifiable financial losses like medical bills, lost income, and property damage.
2. Non-economic damages: Diminished quality of life, mental distress, and other less palpable losses.
3. Future damages: Unexpected costs, such as continuing medical care or a decline in earning capacity.
A tragic incident in Edwardsville, Illinois, illustrates the importance of legal representation. In 2022, two construction workers lost their lives in a manhole at a residential development site. As per First Alert 4, emergency services responded to a rescue call but found both men deceased upon arrival.
In such devastating cases, families may seek justice and fair compensation. A local Edwardsville personal injury lawyer familiar with the specifics of construction accident law can assist them.
Seeking legal representation as soon as possible after a construction accident happens is advised because time is often of the essence in these matters. In addition to ensuring that all legal deadlines are met, this may help preserve crucial evidence.
Construction Workers and Workers’ Compensation
The applicability of workers’ compensation to construction workers varies by state legislation. Generally, most jurisdictions mandate that construction companies provide workers’ compensation insurance for their entire workforce, encompassing full-time and temporary employees.
The financial burden of this coverage falls on the employer. They can obtain it through various means, such as insurance brokers, specialized workers’ compensation insurers, or state-run programs.
Considering the inherent dangers of construction work, comprehensive coverage is usually required. As per LawInfo, OSHA of the U.S. Department of Labour often names the construction industry one of the country’s most dangerous occupations. Common workplace accidents in this field include falls, impacts from falling objects, collapses of excavations, electrical incidents, and injuries related to power tool usage.
The financial implications of workers’ compensation for construction firms are significant. As per Insureon, on average, businesses in this industry spend $3,000 a year on insurance, with monthly costs of about $250.
Several factors influence these costs, including workforce size, the nature of construction services provided, and financial metrics such as payroll and revenue. Historical claims data and the geographical location of operations also play a role.
FAQs
1. What should be the immediate response following an accident?
A: The first priority is to assess yourself for injuries, then check on others involved. Evaluate the severity of injuries for all parties, including any bystanders who may have been affected. This information is crucial, especially if you need to file a claim under third-party vehicle insurance.
2. What are the primary safety concerns in construction, according to OSHA?
A: The construction industry is confronted with four primary hazards that contribute to most fatalities. They are falling from elevations, being struck by objects, getting trapped or compressed, and electrical incidents.
3. Which type of incident is most fatal in construction work?
A: Incidents involving falls from high places are the most deadly in the construction field. They account for more than 50% of deaths in the industry and are also a significant cause of non-fatal injuries. This underscores the critical importance of fall prevention measures on construction sites.
Construction site accidents can have serious physical, emotional, and financial impacts. Following the essential steps outlined above, victims can focus on recovery while protecting their legal rights and access to fair compensation.
With diligent safety practices and accountability on job sites, the construction industry can work to prevent life-altering incidents. Supporting injured workers ensures justice is served when these unfortunate events occur.
