Construction sites are undeniably hazardous places to be. Despite safety regulations and cautionary measures that are in place to protect them from accidents and injuries, the truth remains that it is a very dangerous industry. At Diefer Law Group, we are here to help you with your claim and get the compensation you deserve if you’ve experienced any of the most common construction worker injuries in California.
Injuries to construction workers are quite common all over California. These injuries often leave workers wounded and dealing with the resulting health consequences. They also result in lost wages from being unable to work.
Common Types of Construction Injuries
It is a risky job to be a construction worker. Every day, they have accidents at work, resulting in many types of injuries.
- Falls From Heights: Falls remain one of the most common and serious injuries at construction sites. These can involve scaffolding, ladders, roofs, or other elevated areas. Falls typically lead to serious injuries, like fractures, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.
- Electrocutions: Electrical workers often handle live wires or electrical equipment every day. Electrocution can happen because of handling electrical parts improperly, exposed wiring, or contact with power lines.
- Struck-By Accidents: Workers can be struck by equipment, and the resulting wounds can range from slight bruising and contusions to massive head injuries and even death.
- Caught-In/Between Accidents: Workers can become trapped in between two machines or have structures collapse on them. When this happens, someone can be severely crushed, lose a limb, or suffer any other extreme harm.
- Repetitive Motion Injuries: Construction workers often perform repetitive tasks that can lead to musculoskeletal disorders. Tasks such as lifting, hammering, or using vibrating tools can cause long-term injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and bursitis.
- Chemical Exposures: Solvents, glues, and other toxic materials used on industrial construction sites can result in issues like respiratory problems, skin irritation, and even cancer after years of exposure.
Preventing Construction Injuries
Preventing workplace injuries in construction requires intentionality between both employers and employees. Here are some key strategies.
- Comprehensive Safety Training: Before starting the work, workers should receive training to teach them how to recognize hazards and what personal protective equipment (PPE) to use, including fall protection, electrical safety, and the safe use of machinery and hazardous materials.
- Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): All workers need to wear proper PPE that is relevant to the hazards present, such as hard hats, eye and face protection, gloves, non-slip footwear, and harnesses. Workers have to be trained to use this equipment properly.
- Regular Safety Inspections: To avoid accidents on construction sites, frequent inspections should be carried out to detect any danger and make sure that the safety rules are being observed. Inspections should check equipment, the scaffolding, and safety gloves.
- Implement Safety Protocols: Fully implementing safety measures can reduce injuries.
Steps to Take After a Construction Injury
- Seek Medical Attention: Immediately following your injury, be sure to see a physician. Prompt medical attention not only protects your health but also helps you document your injuries, which is important for any potential legal claims.
- Report the Injury: Reporting the injury helps strengthen a workers’ compensation claim.
- Document the Incident: Take notes and photographs of the circumstances surrounding the incident, including when and where it occurs.
- Consult a Lawyer: If you were injured on a construction site, speaking with a construction injury lawyer who focuses on workers’ compensation and personal injury claims can help you better understand your rights, deal with the insurance company and, hopefully, obtain the compensation you deserve.
Encouraging a Safe Culture
In a healthy workplace, workers look out for each other and themselves. They should also ask for help or stop work when there is a safety concern.
Legal Rights and Compensation
If you were seriously hurt at work, California law allows you to collect compensation through workers’ compensation. You may be able to recover expenses related to the injury, including medical bills and lost income. If your injury resulted from your employer’s negligence, defective equipment, or violation of workplace safety laws, a personal injury claim could also include compensation for pain and suffering.
FAQs
Q: What Is the Leading Cause of Injuries in the Construction Industry?
A: Falls are one of the leading causes of injuries among workers in the construction industry. The reasons for this can include inadequate fall protection, not using ladders or scaffolds appropriately, and workers being untrained in safety. Fractures, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic punctures are common injuries that can result from these incidents.
Q: What Is the Number One Killer of Construction Workers?
A: The number one killer of construction workers is falls from heights. You might think that because there are laws that require safety training and equipment, on-the-job deaths such as falls would be rare. However, falls still make up a large proportion of deaths on construction sites. Unfortunately, some construction companies cut costs in their safety measures.
Q: How Common Are Injuries From Construction?
A: Injuries from construction are, unfortunately very common. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), one in ten construction workers is injured every year in a worksite accident. The high-risk nature of construction work, combined with potential safety lapses, contribute to the high number of serious injuries in this industry.
Q: Which Construction Trade Has the Highest Death Rate?
A: The construction trade with one of the highest rates of fatality is roofing. Roofers are at high risk while working at heights on unstable slopes. Falling from roofs and being electrocuted are two of the most frequent causes of death in this trade. Heat-related illnesses also contribute to the high death rate in roofing. Taking proper safety measures is very important to prevent such injuries.
Contact an Attorney
Construction injuries are a major hazard that can have a catastrophic impact on an injured worker. To protect your loved ones against these dangers, it’s important to be aware of the most common causes of construction injuries and understand how they can be prevented.
If you or a loved one has been injured on a construction site, it’s important to review your California workers’ rights and protect your family against any future sickness or financial harm that may arise. Diefer Law Group, P.C., is experienced in helping injured construction workers. Contact us today for a consultation; we’re committed to protecting your rights, and our firm can ensure that you receive the proper compensation for your injuries.
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