It is no secret that construction work is one of the most dangerous occupations, yet also one of the most vital to a functioning society. We rely on construction workers to build the homes we live in and pave the roads we commute on. However, given all of the heavy machinery and power tools that are generally necessary for this industry, it is incredibly easy for these workers to be injured on the job if safety is not treated as a paramount concern. In fact, it is estimated that over the course of a construction worker’s career, he or she has a 1 in 200 chance of being fatally injured on the job.
The fact is that there are a plethora of ways for construction accidents to happen, especially if employers do not provide proper training or safety gear for their employees, leaving them vulnerable to a job that can be rather perilous at times. Of course, some accidents are much more common than others.
Below is a list of some of the most common construction accidents that occur in this industry:
- Falls: These are, by far, the most common construction site accidents and, in 2014, they accounted for nearly 40% of all construction worker fatalities. According to OSHA, the most commonly issued citations for construction sites involved situations that could potentially lead to a fall accident, such as inadequate fall protection, issues with scaffolding, and unsafe ladders.
- Electrocution: Next to falls, electrocutions are the second most common construction site accident. Construction workers work with a wide range of equipment, from generators to power tools and other machinery, all of which can put them in danger. These types of accidents accounted for a little over 8% of all construction worker deaths in 2014 and are frequently caused by issues with electrical components, wiring methods, and problems with electrical equipment.
- Struck by an object: Construction sites tend to involve people working on more than one level, sometimes moving beams around or other heavy objects. This kind of environment makes it easy for workers to be struck by a beam that is being moved or other falling objects, especially if the appropriate safety precautions are not being taken. Construction workers should always use protective gear, such as hardhats and safety glasses to minimize the severity of a possible injury.
- Caught in-between: Workers in this dangerous industry can easily sustain an injury from being caught in a piece of equipment, or from getting trapped between immovable objects. These injuries are often severe or even fatal, but only accounted for about 4.3% of all construction site fatalities in 2014.
- Collapsed scaffolding or trench collapse: If a trench collapses, a construction worker’s air supply can be cut off or he or she could potentially be buried alive. Additionally, despite strict regulations that are meant to ensure the stability of scaffolding, something can still go wrong. When scaffolding collapses, a worker can fall to his or her death or sustain a debilitating injury.
Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Sacramento
Construction work can be dangerous, but no matter the industry, all workers are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits when injured on the job. At Smolich and Smolich, our team of Sacramento workers’ compensation attorneys is dedicated to navigating individuals throughout the claims process from start to finish, until they obtain the favorable outcome they are seeking.
If we cannot win your case, you will not owe us any legal fees!
Contact our office today at (916) 571-0400 to schedule a free case evaluation with a knowledgeable member of our legal team. You do not have to go through this alone.