Speak To Attorney Now
(916) 930-9675
SPEAK TO ATTORNEY NOW(916) 930-9675
Speak To Attorney Now
(916) 930-9675 SPEAK TO ATTORNEY NOW(916) 930-9675
In 2010, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that there were 774 deaths due to an accident on construction sites. This is more than 18 percent of all on-the-job fatalities of 2010. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has also found that 4% of construction workers are injured while they work every year. Construction is a very dangerous job due to the nature of the work as well as the tools and machinery construction workers use to complete their tasks. Dangerous electric tools and conditions paired with physically exhausting hours leads to an increased likelihood of injury. If you have been injured while working on a construction site, make sure to seek out legal representation from a Sacramento work injury lawyer immediately.
Construction accidents can result from many different causes. Fatigue can lead to forgetfulness or recklessness, and in the presence of exposed parts, heavy machinery, and other dangerous conditions, not being at peak performance can easily lead to injury. Just a moment of distraction can result in a mistake causing a serious injury. These injuries can include spinal injuries, brain damage, and burns. These severe injuries can significantly impact a person’s life and require care for decades to come. Given such vast outcomes to construction site accidents, having an experienced Sacramento work injury lawyer by your side can make all the difference in your compensation.
Despite extensive regulations put in place by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), many potential dangers are overlooked or accepted in the name of laziness or haste to get the job done. Every company and person in the construction industry is supposed to follow OSHA regulations but, for various reasons, this often is not done. The state of California prohibits employees from suing their employers for on-the-job accidents, no matter how serious the resulting injuries. There are a few exceptions to this rule, but generally work injuries are dealt with through workers compensation claims.
This article aims to outline the most common injuries that occur on California’s construction sites and to provide some information about what can be done in the instance that a construction worker is injured on the job. Every case is different and only a Sacramento work injury lawyer can speak to your case specifically.
The most common incident that results in injuries on construction sites is a fall. Construction workers are often required to work at extreme heights, such as on scaffolding, ladders, roofs, boom lifts, etc. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that falls account for more than a third of all on-the-job deaths of construction workers.
Second to falling from a height is falling due to a slip. Construction sites are by nature unfinished areas, full of hazardous holes and obstacles. Additionally, the numerous tools that are used in projects and the organic nature of each project, limited the ability to organize these tools, results in a high propensity for slips and trips. Though it may seem silly to worry about tripping over a hammer, there is plenty to worry about regarding where the individual lands on a construction site, such as on another tool or in the way of machinery.
Construction sites use many electric tools and have unfinished and open environments. Wet conditions paired with electronic machinery can result in electrocutions. Also, many construction sites include exposed wiring, power lines, and unfinished electrical systems. As construction workers are often not specifically trained in electrical work, they may not be certain how to deal safely with such conditions. Coming into contact with any of these electrical outputs may result in electrocution or shock that can leave life-altering complications. Contact a Sacramento work injury lawyer to determine how you can seek financial compensation.
Now that we have covered the dangers of construction workers falling, another significant danger is inanimate objects falling onto construction workers. One of the most iconic aspects of a construction worker’s uniform is a hardhat – and for good reason! Debris, tools, and other materials are often on a higher level than construction workers and anything falling from above can cause serious damage. It is common for falling tools, building materials, or even structural aspects of the construction site in question to strike a worker going about his or her work.
Construction sites are filled with moving objects, such as heavy machinery, materials, and large tools. Workers can often find themselves stuck between a structural aspect of the site and a large tool or machinery if they aren’t careful. This can lead to serious injury such as broken bones, internal bleeding, brain damage, or even death.
Unfinished piping, electrical systems, and plumbing can be quite volatile. Fires and explosions are common occurrences on construction sites due to the open systems mixing together. Obvious, these incidents can lead to severe injury.
Construction jobs are very physical and the conditions often exacerbate the tiring nature of the work. Many road and home construction projects take place during working hours in the summer. This is to avoid bad weather and for the convenience of everyone working at the same time, such as clients, supervisors, and actual construction workers. Unfortunately, the extreme heat and humidity can cause workers to overexert themselves and suffer from a range of injuries, such as heat stroke.
There are many other injuries that are not listed in this article that commonly affect construction workers. While the state of California prevents those injured from suing their employers under most circumstances, the reason that employers are protected is because they provide workers compensation. Workers compensation is supposed to provide financial support to individuals hurt on the job. Be sure to contact an experienced Sacramento work injury lawyer who can represent you in dealings with your employer so you can get the compensation you need and deserve.
Due to the nature of the environment, accidents at construction sites are very common. The Law Firm of Mehlhop & Vogt has over 30 years of experience handling workers compensation claims of all sorts, including those at construction sites. If you have been injured, don’t wait to speak to a Sacramento work injury lawyer. Give us a call at (916) 930-9675 to learn what you can do about your case.
Have you suffered a serious work injury? Contact our work compensation attorneys for FREE consultation about your California workers compensation claim benefits. We’ve been helping injured workers since 1987 and are certified by the State Bar of California.
Give us a call at (916) 930-9675 to speak to a work comp attorney in Sacramento now.
