The word danger has become synonymous with construction sites. From soaring heights to heavyweight machinery, a construction site has plenty of hazards to not just injure a person but to take their life as well.
Construction workers go through the minefield every day. Some of the injuries caused by a construction accident include:
Fractures
Burns
Spinal cord injury
Eye injuries
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has some data on this. According to the BLS, nearly one in five occupational fatalities in 2021 happened in the construction sector.
This article will briefly discuss construction site accidents and the events surrounding them.
Dangers Faced by Construction Workers
There are numerous risks in the construction sector. In the worst situations, workers may sustain catastrophic injuries or even wrongful death. Construction-related injuries are widespread in the US. Some of the common hazards faced by construction workers are as follows:
Medical conditions due to chemical exposure
Electrocution
Traumatic brain injuries
Injuries stemming from defective or unsafe equipment
Heat stroke or heat exhaustion owing to adverse weather conditions
Damage from lifting and repetitive motions
Why are Construction Accidents So Complex?
An accident on a construction site is never easy. Numerous parties are involved, ranging from the workers’ compensation claim to a possible third-party lawsuit. Injured workers may need to file a liability claim against another party or deal with the workers’ compensation insurance provided by the construction company.
Unlike a typical personal injury lawsuit, you do not need proof of fault to file a workers’ compensation claim. You must only demonstrate that your work-related activities directly contributed to your illness or injuries. On successful demonstration, you are entitled to receive compensation for your medical costs and lost income. Also, you might be eligible for short-term, long-term, permanent, or partial disability benefits.
In the case of a fatal accident on the construction site, compensation may be awarded to surviving family members. Unfortunately, the workers’ compensation claim does not cover compensation for pain and suffering.
Who Can I Sue After a Construction Accident?
If you were injured while working on a construction site, you may be able to sue the third party that caused your injuries rather than your employer. Following a construction accident, you might be entitled to file a lawsuit against the following people or businesses:
Manufacturers of equipment or tools that proved to be defective
Subcontractors or others at building sites whose negligence has endangered you
Engineers whose faulty plans led to your injuries
Visitors and other unreliable third parties who cause accidents on the construction sites due to their reckless behavior
If any non-employer caused the circumstances that resulted in your accident, you may be able to sue them outside of the workers’ compensation system. In certain situations, this might enable a more comprehensive recovery, including payment for pain and suffering.
How to React After a Construction Accident
There are several steps you can take to safeguard your legal rights and yourself after being hurt in a construction accident:
Immediately seek medical attention to treat your injuries.
Inform your employer about the injury. You could also let your construction site manager/supervisor know about the injuries. Make a note of the name and position of the person you notified.
Gather the personal details of any witnesses to the accident
Try preserving evidence of your injury, such as photographs of the injured area.
Seeking Legal Help After a Construction Accident
Consider scheduling a consultation with an experienced construction accident lawyer to review the circumstances if you were hurt in a construction-related accident. Your claim needs to be handled by an attorney due to many issues in your possible case, like knowledge of the rules and standards pertaining to workplace and site safety. Indemnity decisions, responsibility, and engineering concerns may also be familiar to them.
<p>The post Construction Site Accidents: Impact, Recovery, and Legalities first appeared on CCR-Mag.com.</p>
