What Are the Most Common Causes of Injury in Construction?
According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), approximately 20% of worker fatalities in the private industry occurred in construction.
When employers cut costs and rush their workers, accidents are impossible to prevent. Many construction workers do not know what to do if they suffer a severe injury at work.
Our attorneys at Hartley Law Firm have experience dealing with the federal and state regulations that apply to construction injury cases. Contact our office today to start your road to recovery.
What Kind of Injuries Happen in Construction?
Construction workers perform a wide variety of tasks, from pouring concrete for a foundation to installing drywall on a new house. Some construction workers labor on roadways, while others work hundreds of feet in the air on skyscrapers.
Some of the injuries that commonly occur in the construction industry include:
- Broken or fractured bones,
- Amputated limbs,
- Back injuries,
- Internal bleeding,
- Traumatic brain injuries,
- Concussions,
- Bruises and lacerations, and
- Spinal cord injuries.
In addition to these injuries, many construction workers lose their lives in workplace accidents. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a construction accident, you should reach out to an attorney right away.
Contact a construction injury lawyer at Hartley Law Firm today to schedule your initial consultation.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Injuries in Construction Accidents?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 11.4 million Americans worked in construction in 2019—a 25% increase since 2011.
The workplace conditions and equipment in construction create the perfect environment for an accident to happen. Here are some of the common causes of injury in the construction industry.
Falls
Many construction jobs require workers to complete labor off the ground, whether working on a higher floor of a building or using scaffolding to paint the outside of a new home. Falls represent the number one cause of injury and death for construction workers.
According to OSHA, approximately 65% of the construction industry performs work on scaffolds. When scaffolds are used incorrectly, falls can happen with alarming frequency. Of the 991 construction fatalities recorded in 2019, approximately 401 died due to falls.
Struck-By Incidents
The second leading cause of death among construction workers is being struck by an object, such as machinery, a vehicle, or building materials.
Of the 991 construction fatalities recorded in 2019, approximately 170 died as a result of struck-by incidents.
Electrocutions
Almost every building constructed today needs the capability to use electricity. After all, many construction products would be useless without any electrical power.
Unfortunately, live wires can lead to devastating consequences if proper care is not taken. Of the 991 construction fatalities recorded in 2019, approximately 79 died as a result of electrocution.
Caught By/In Between Accidents
Another deadly risk construction workers face is getting caught by or in between a heavy object or multiple heavy objects. These incidents can happen anywhere on a construction site, but they happen more frequently around heavy machinery.
Additionally, these accidents can occur when a structure collapses and traps construction workers inside. Of the 991 construction fatalities recorded in 2019, approximately 59 died as a result of caught-by/in-between accidents.
Who Is Involved in Construction Accidents?
Construction is a male-dominated industry. In fact, construction workers in the United States are 90.8% more likely to be male than female.
Additionally, the number of Hispanic construction workers has increased dramatically in recent years, rising by 55% from 2011 to 2019. Unfortunately, injury statistics for Hispanic construction workers create lots of concern.
While the number of Hispanic construction workers has increased by 55% since 2011, the number of fatalities among Hispanic construction workers has increased by 90%.
Additionally, small-scale construction agencies have concerns with fatality statistics. Employers with less than 20 employees accounted for approximately 75% of fatal falls, despite making up less than half of the construction payroll employment.
Contact Hartley Law Firm: Your Construction Site Accident Law Firm
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a construction accident, you should seek the advice of a lawyer as soon as possible. You will not have a valid legal claim forever.
It is crucial to investigate whether your employer was negligent and the factors that contributed to your injuries. A qualified construction injury lawyer can determine if you have a valid claim and help prepare your case in the event it goes to trial.
There are many liability issues that arise in construction injury lawsuits. You need experienced attorneys that know how to navigate these claims.
Contact Hartley Law Firm today so we can review your case.
