Hilliard Law Attorneys named to 2024 Super Lawyers Illinois Rising Stars List
Read More
Construction sites are some of the most dangerous places to work in America. Thousands of people work on construction sites, and unfortunately, many of those workers suffer injuries on the job every year. OSHA refers to four of the most common causes of construction accidents as the “Fatal Four”.
The “Fatal Four” include:
BEING STRUCK BY AN OBJECT
Accidents from falling objects are common because workers and cranes are constantly moving tools, building materials, and other supplies to where they need to be. When these objects hit someone on the ground, they can cause serious injuries or death.
CAUGHT-IN/BETWEEN
When construction workers work in unstable structures, such as trenches or unfinished buildings, they run the risk of being crushed or entrapped. Structures could weigh thousands of pounds and with the speed of gravity, that structure can seriously injure someone.
ELECTROCUTIONS
During construction, many structures often have exposed wires and unfinished electrical systems. Power lines can also sometimes be down or laying around the construction site. If a construction worker encounters one of these hazardous situations, they can be severely injured.
FALLS FROM HEIGHTS
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost two-thirds of fatal falls were from roofs, scaffolds, and ladders. In 2017, there were 366 fatalities out of 971 fatalities in construction from falls.
These accidents were responsible for 58.6% of construction worker fatalities in 2018.
Some additional construction accidents are:
CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY
Accidents with construction machinery are common because they are typically large and powerful. Many accidents can result in a loss of limb, traumatic brain injury, broken bones, or a fatal injury.
CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES
Front-end loaders, backhoes, forklifts, bulldozers, and other construction vehicles are frequently used on construction sites. If not maintained and up to code in inspection, they can become very life-threatening to the driver as well as workers around the vehicle.
STEPS TO TAKE AFTER A CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT
- Seek medical attention
If you’ve been injured in a construction accident, you should seek immediate medical attention. Even if your injuries seem minor, symptoms may not appear until hours or days later and may be worse than initially thought. It’s a good idea to keep track of after-visit summaries, receipts, and any other documentation showing you have received medical attention. This evidence may be helpful if you need to file a worker’s compensation or a personal injury lawsuit.
- Notify your employer
After you’ve addressed any immediate health concerns, you should report the accident to your employer.
Promptly notifying your employer of an injury is important for several reasons:
- It will help speed up the processing of your worker’s compensation claim;
- It will bolster the validity of your claim; and
- It will help promote safety and ensure the accident doesn’t happen again and injure other employees.
- Collect information
Gathering as much information as possible, as soon as possible, about your accident and injuries will help strengthen your claim and ensure you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Relevant information includes:
- Contact information from all witnesses
Collect the names, phones numbers and email addresses of any witnesses to the accident
- Photographic evidence
Photographs can serve as crucial evidence to help prove your case in court. If possible, take photos of the accident scene, or have someone take them for you. The images should include the area surrounding the accident, including any hazardous or dangerous equipment, as well as any injuries you sustained.
- Medical Information
It’s important to keep track of all of the documentation related to your injury. This includes your medical records, including dates and times of appointments, expenses, and doctors’ notes. It is also a good idea to document your injury on a daily basis to show any progress, whether it’s improving or worsening.
- Communications with your employer
It is a good idea to keep track of all communications you have with your employers concerning your accident. Place copies of all emails or letters from your employer about the incident into a folder where they are easily located if needed. Take notes of any phone calls or in-person conversations you have and keep these in the folder as well.
- Talk to an attorney
If you are injured in a construction accident, contact an experienced attorney who can help you get compensated for your injuries. An attorney will have many resources at their fingertips such as experts, doctors, knowledge of the law, and how to talk with insurance companies.
For more information, or if you or a loved one has been injured in a construction site accident, please contact Hilliard Law’s compassionate and dedicated team of attorneys, at 1-800-334-3298, or through our contact page HERE to request a free case evaluation.
Sources:
https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2019/04/10/2019-standdown/
