Construction accidents can lead to permanent injury

Accidents happen at work, no matter what type of job you have, but construction workers have a high risk to suffer a work injury that may result in serious and potentially permanent injury. Injuries from work-related accidents on construction sites often cause workers to lose work time and full-time pay. Luckily, workers injured on the job are eligible to receive workers’ comp benefits while they are recovering from the injury.

According to Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, “nearly 4 million people suffer a workplace injury from which some may never recover,” and as many as 13 Americans die in workplace accidents every day. While not all of those accidents occur on construction sites, the number is staggering.

Worker hazards in construction

OSHA’s top two workplace safety violations in 2011, the year with the most recent statistics, were construction site hazards: scaffolding and fall protection. Ladder citations also made its Top 10 list. Planks or supports can give way on scaffolding, causing workers to fall. This can be from either defective or improperly assembled scaffolding. Ladders can also be defective or damaged or even improperly used by workers. This creates a hazardous condition for both workers on the ladder and those below them.

Worker injuries from most falls can be avoided by using proper protection equipment and taking appropriate safety precautions. Safety on a job is ultimately the employer’s responsibility, but every worker has a responsibility to make sure they are following the safety standards established for the job they are doing.

What to do after an accident

When injured at work, it is important to report the incident to your supervisor immediately. Take note of who was near the accident scene and may have seen what happened. If possible, take pictures of the accident scene and the equipment around that may have contributed to the accident. Seek medical attention, no matter how severe you think the injury is. What initially appears as a small injury may quickly turn into a severe injury.

Consult an Attorney

Workers’ compensation is a complex area of law that can be difficult to navigate. Even if worker is injured on the job he or she may face a challenge by the insurance carrier or even the employer. If you have been injured on the job or suffer from a work-related condition, contact an experience workers’ compensation attorney to review your case.