CONSTRUCTION SITE FALL ACCIDENTS
COMMON ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES IN CONSTRUCTION
If you are a construction worker, you know firsthand how common injuries and
accidents are on the construction site. However, after an accident, you may not know how to pursue a personal injury claim. The type of injury, the severity of the injury and the type of accident in a construction site case matter significantly in a personal injury claim. It is important to understand what kind of accidents and injuries are common on construction sites and what you can do if you are injured in an accident. We share this information and more below.
COMMON TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS
According to the Center for Construction Research and Training, there are several common causes of construction site accidents. The most common types of construction accidents include:
- Fall Accidents. Fall accidents on construction sites may include a roofing accident, scaffolding accident, lift accident or any other type of accident where a construction worker falls from a significant height while on a job site. Our law firm has helped hundreds of clients throughout Arizona with their construction accident cases. If there is one type of accident in construction site accident cases that our law firm sees most often, it is fall accidents. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls are also the leading cause of fatalities in construction.
- Slip and Falls / Trip and Falls. According to OSHA, slip and falls and trip and falls are one of the leading causes of injuries in construction. A slip or trip on the ground could cause a serious injury.
- Site Trench and Excavation Accidents. Trenches are commonly used on construction sites to bury plumbing, conduit and electric wires. They are also used to gain access to the underground area. Site trench and excavation accidents can be devastating. Falls, trench collapse accidents, asphyxiation and electrocution are accidents that can occur due to a site trench or excavation.
- Struck by Accidents in the Workplace. Construction workers are at risk of being struck by a piece of machinery or a motor vehicle while working on a construction site.
- Exposure to Dangerous Toxins or Chemicals. Often the biggest risk for construction workers is exposure to toxins and hazardous chemicals. Asbestos and lead are common hazards, but construction works may also be exposed to chemical solvents, pesticides and flammable materials.
- Electrocution. Exposed electrical wires, generators, power tools, and other electrical equipment all create risks for electrocuting construction workers.
- Caught-in Between Accidents in Construction. Caught-in between accidents are ranked in OSHA’s “fatal four” causes of construction worker deaths. These accidents occur when a construction worker is crushed, caught, or compressed between two objects. Construction workers have died, suffered paralysis, fractures, internal organ damage, and loss of limb and nerve damage from these accidents.
COMMON CONSTRUCTION INJURIES
Similar to construction accident causes, there are certain construction-related injuries that are more prevalent than others. Common construction injuries include but are not limited to:
- Broken bones or bone fractures
- Burns
- Electrocution
- Knee and ankle injury
- Neck, shoulder, or back injury
- Head injury and/or brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Illnesses caused by exposure to toxins or chemicals
In more devastating cases, injuries sustained in a construction accident may be fatal. If the injury was a result of third-party negligence, the construction worker’s family may have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent party or employer.
HIGHLY ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION AREAS IN ARIZONA
Arizona is home to a few of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. Cities like Buckeye and Goodyear have experienced a large growth in population and with it a growth in construction. Below are cities that have seen a noticeable growth in construction.
However, more construction and construction-related jobs will likely mean more accidents. If you were recently injured in a construction accident, you may be overwhelmed and confused about your options. A construction accident lawyer at our law firm can help you understand your best legal options.