Construction may be one of the fastest growing industries in the country, but it’s also one of the most deadly. Two construction workers die every day due to construction site accidents, a number which continues to increase. Additionally, 1 in 10 construction workers is injured every year. If you are a construction worker, you are facing the possibility of injury every day. And if it happens, it may be hard to know where to turn or what options are available to you. In this article we will cover the four primary causes of construction site injuries and fatalities, and what to do if you or a loved one has been affected by one. While the information provided in this article is general, you are encouraged to contact O’Donnell Law Offices for a free personalized consultation.
Falls
Falls are the leading cause of fatalities on construction sites. Particularly, falls from higher levels. In fact, construction workers are more likely than any other kind of employee to suffer an injury due to a fall. Construction workers often work at significant heights. Falls from ladders, scaffolding, or while erecting or working on building infrastructures are unfortunately quite common. Anything that affects a construction workers’ ability to remain alert, such as heat stroke or dehydration, increases their risk of falling. Additionally, it doesn’t take much to destabilize an employee who is working at such a high height, and often one where there is a very slim margin for error. Falls can result in injuries to the spine, neck, and skull, as well as other broken and fractured bones. Falls can cause traumatic brain injuries, and frequently cause permanent and long-term disabilities.
Being Struck by an Object
There are so many moving pieces on a construction site, with workers often operating at different heights and levels, it increases the risk of falling debris, equipment, and materials. For instance, a hammer dropped from a higher level could strike a worker below. Materials and equipment dropped from a higher height are particularly dangerous because they gain momentum as they fall. Additionally, materials dropped by cranes or being improperly carried by forklifts can also strike employees. These accidents can cause broken and fractured bones, traumatic brain injuries, and even death.
Electrocutions
Electrocutions may occur if a construction worker has contact with power lines, if they lack a ground-fault, or if there is improper use of or faulty equipment or cords. Electrocution can cause death, heart and brain damage, and loss of consciousness. Electrocution may also contribute to falls if the shock destabilizes the worker or causes them to lose consciousness and fall.
Caught-in-Between Accidents
Caught-in-between accidents generally occur when a construction worker is caught in between a fixed object, such as a beam or wall, and another object, such as a truck, piece of equipment, or heavy materials. These accidents are often fatal and can cause internal organ damage and crushing injuries. It may be hard to recover from these injuries in the event an employee survives.
Talk to a Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have suffered a Pennsylvania construction site accident, you are not alone. Schedule a free initial consultation with the personal injury attorneys at the O’Donnell Law Offices serving clients in Kingston, Wilkes Barre, Hazleton and Pittston at 570-821-5717 or online today. There is no fee or costs until we win your case.
Resource:
cdc.gov/niosh/construction/statistics.html