Construction sites are one of the most dangerous industrial workplaces, and often report the most worker injuries. With 6.5 million people working in the construction industry everyday, this means many individuals are being put at risk. Despite efforts to increase safety through regulations, construction accidents are still commonplace.
Types of Construction Accidents
Falls are the most frequent cause of construction site fatalities: one-third of construction deaths occur as a result of falls. Falls can occur in a number of ways, but often occur from roofs, ladders and scaffolding. They can result in fatal traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord damage.
Scaffolding can not only result in falls, but can also injure workers in other ways as well. For example, equipment may malfunction or be misused and strike a worker. This itself can result in worker injury, or may lead to a fall.
In addition, fires and wiring problems lead to approximately 350 fatalities each year. The most common electrical injuries result from:
- Contact with power lines
- Incorrect use of equipment/cords
- Discontinuous or missing path to ground
- Lack of ground-fault protection
Finally, machinery accidents can result in a wide variety of worker injuries. Many different types of large and powerful machines are used in the construction industry, including forklifts, cranes, backhoes, skid steers, front-end loaders, etc.
Machinery-related accidents can occur for any number of reasons, including improper handling, improper training, and lack of maintenance. In some instances, construction equipment may be defective as well.
An experienced, construction accident attorney can piece together the causes of your accident, and help you explore all avenues of recovery.
Giant machines are not the only equipment construction workers handle. Tools can also be mishandled, resulting in serious injuries, including severed limbs. In order to keep employees safe, employers must make sure all equipment comes with safety features, and must be properly maintained.
Our Construction Accident Lawyers Can Help
Have you or a loved one been injured in a construction accident? Whether it is a head injury, amputation, or a wrongful death case, a construction accident lawyer at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP can help. Proper medical treatment is expensive, and if you are out of work, these bills are even harder to manage. Our attorneys can help make sure you receive proper treatment, and that every avenue of compensation is explored. Contact us today for a free case review.