How Do Construction Accidents Happen?

The construction industry has the highest incidence of workplace fatalities. Construction accidents not only regularly cause death but also life-changing injuries. On-the-job trauma or death at building sites can rattle a family to its core, leaving it with staggering medical bills, funeral costs, and lost household earnings. Construction accidents can disrupt businesses, as well, shutting down job sites and delaying completion dates. Such incidents can be the result of negligence, equipment malfunctions, or improper safety precautions. Considering the physical, emotional, and financial damage these accidents incur, hiring a personal injury attorney when someone else is at fault may be the best course of action while you get your life back in order.

Types of Construction Accidents

Construction mishaps occur in a multitude of ways. They can range from a bump on the foot to fatal collapses. Personal injury lawyers’ main areas of expertise regarding such accidents include:

• Contractor/Subcontractor Negligence: There are often multiple contractors and subcontractors that work on a job site. If an employee of another contractor or subcontractor is responsible for a construction accident, that company may be liable to pay damages.

• Improper Safety Precautions: It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure all safety precautions are taken as required by law. If that party is found to be overlooking safety guidelines or, worse, flagrantly violating them, they may be found at fault for any injuries or fatalities that result.

• Equipment Failure: There are many ways equipment can fail. Whether a defective part or unsafe design is to blame, the manufacturer may be liable to pay for any damages that result from using their equipment.

• Driver Negligence: A driving-related accident on a construction site may implicate one or more of a surprising number of parties. Vehicular mishaps on job sites may be the fault of a driver, a trucking company, a cargo company, the vehicle maintenance crew, or the manufacturer or maker of a defective vehicle part.

Types of Construction Injuries

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration identifies four major types of construction accidents it calls “the fatal four.” They are:

• Falls: Falls account for over a third of construction fatalities. There are two main types of such incidents: slip-and-fall accidents and falls from heights. Although plunges from heights often result in more severe injuries than slip-and-falls, the latter are no less dangerous.

• Struck by Objects: On a construction site, all sorts of components are in motion, from crane arms to bundles of rebar to falling debris. Being struck by any one of these items can cause severe injury or even death.

• Electrocution: Electricity is the lifeblood of a construction site, whether it’s powering tools or lighting. The high-voltage lines that carry electricity can become deadly when they come into contact with cutting tools or rain.

• Caught in or Between Objects: Construction sites involve large equipment and heavy materials. Any of these objects can become deadly if a worker is caught between them or inside machinery.

How a Construction Accident Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

An event such as a construction accident can be life-shattering. Not only can a mishap cause physical harm, resulting in staggering medical expenses, it can result in lost earnings, death, and emotional duress for you and your entire family. This is a time when you should concentrate on getting better and not be preoccupied with financial distress. An experienced Morgan & Morgan construction accident attorney will give you the best shot at recovering compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and even damages for pain and suffering. We operate on a contingency basis meaning you pay us nothing until we win your case. Get Morgan & Morgan to fight for you. Fill out a free case evaluation today.