Construction workers have an inherent degree of risk attached to their daily lives, given the nature of their work environments. These jobs often require workers to be exposed to large equipment and machinery, chemicals, electrical components, and other hazards that could easily lead to serious or even fatal personal injuries.
If you work in the construction industry and recently sustained an injury while on the job, you should speak with an attorney who can help you assert your legal rights. Our OnderLaw attorneys can help you recover any workers’ compensation benefits you may be entitled to, while also evaluating whether you have grounds to take legal action against a third party whose negligence caused your injury. We will fight for the justice you deserve from all parties responsible for your harm.
Electrical Hazards
Electrical hazards are among the most rampant dangers construction workers contend with on these job sites. These hazards can arise because workers must operate close to extensive power lines and use or operate electrical equipment, machinery, or components like wiring and circuit breakers.
Some of the most common construction accidents stem from:
- Fires
- Explosions
- Contact with power lines
- Inadequate grounding
- Improper use of electrical equipment
Incorrect use of extension cords, poor ground-fault protection, or a faulty power supply are other examples of electrical hazards that could lead to serious thermal burns, electrocution, and other potentially life-threatening injuries.
Equipment Hazards
The use of heavy equipment is a relatively common sight in a construction area. However, if these machinery or vehicles (i.e., trucks, cranes, bulldozers, forklifts) are not secured or operated as intended, a terrible incident can ensue.
A malfunctioning piece of equipment, poor maintenance, lack of protective equipment, and poor training procedures could all lead to a serious equipment-related accident on a construction site. One wrong move involving heavy machinery could lead to a crushing or struck-by incident that inflicts injuries like brain trauma, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, internal injuries, and even loss of a limb.
Environmental Hazards
Besides day-to-day exposure to electrical and equipment hazards, construction workers often have to deal with chemicals, toxins, and other environmental hazards that could pose a serious risk of harm after a prolonged period. Some of the most common environmental hazards construction workers may be exposed to include asbestos, mold, and silica dust.
Cadmium, chromium, and other chemicals may also pose a severe risk of harm if a construction worker inhales or touches these substances in the course of daily work. Commonly reported injuries resulting from environmental construction site hazards include lung cancer, liver cancer, neurological disorders, gastrointestinal ailments, and kidney damage.
Falling/Tripping Hazards
Falls are frequent on construction sites, particularly as these locations often feature uneven walking surfaces and present many tripping hazards. Common causes of slip and falls or trips on construction sites include:
- Mechanical failures
- Insufficient guardrails
- Inadequate safety gear
- Unstable or poorly constructed scaffolding
Unstable ladders, staircase or roof slip and falls, exposed wiring, gaps in walking areas, and falling objects that cause workers to lose their balance are other leading causes of falling incidents on these job sites. Any tripping incident or fall from a great height can lead to serious physical injuries that inflict a short-term or even permanent disability.
Noise Hazards
Consistent exposure to loud noises from industrial equipment or other hazardous noise levels can inflict hearing loss over an extended period. These noise levels can also coincide with injuries from habitual exposure to high vibration levels. These have been associated with injuries like internal organ damage, musculoskeletal injuries, and vascular injuries in construction workers.
Get Help from an Experienced Construction Accident Attorney
The aftermath of a construction accident may leave you struggling with serious, painful injuries as well as mounting financial worries due to the cost of your medical care and the time you may need off from work. Workers’ compensation benefits can provide coverage for a portion of your lost wages as well as medical bills related to treating your injury from a construction accident or occupational hazard. Depending on the extent and severity of your injury, you could receive temporary or permanent disability benefits.
While workers’ compensation laws prevent you from filing a lawsuit against your employer, in most cases, you can still pursue a personal injury claim against any other party involved in the construction accident. A successful personal injury claim can help you recover the full value of your lost wages and medical bills, as well as compensation for losses like pain and suffering.
Our OnderLaw construction accident attorneys can help you file a workers’ compensation claim and pursue any available third-party claims. We can oversee all aspects of your case and work tirelessly to get every penny owed to you. We provide free, confidential case evaluations to give you more information about your legal rights and options. Do not hesitate to reach out to OnderLaw today and ask to speak with a compassionate lawyer about your potential case. We will be with you every step of the way throughout the entire process. Call now.
