All About Construction Injuries: A Helpful FAQ
Have you been injured in a construction accident? Unfortunately, this is one of the industries with the highest rates of accidents and injuries time and time again when compared to other industries. The construction industry is inherently dangerous because of the manner of work that is being completed, but most of the accidents that do occur every year could have easily been prevented if safety precautions were taken. Today we will answer some of your questions about your construction injury to give you a better idea of how your case could work.
FAQ
How many people are injured on the job every year? In 2016 alone, about 5,190 workers lost their lives due to workplace accidents. This is the equivalent of 14 deaths per day, which means the rates are still too high. Out of the many fatalities that have occurred in the workplace, 21.2% were in the construction industry, which means that 1 in 5 worker deaths were caused by the construction industry. Many of these accidents were caused by construction’s “fatal fours” – struck by an object, electrocution, falls and caught in-between accidents.
What are some of the common accidents and injuries sustained in these accidents? The accidents that occur in the construction industry range from minor to catastrophic. Some of the most common accidents occur due to falls from heights when workers are required to perform tasks at high elevations that pose a significant risk to their safety. Other accidents are caused by falling objects such as building materials or other pieces of equipment that fall from scaffolds. There are a variety of accidents that can happen in the construction workplace, all causing debilitating injuries.
Some of the most common injuries that result from these cases include amputations, blindness, broken bones, burns, coma, and more. In the worst accidents, workers are even killed.
Am I only limited to workers’ compensation for my injuries? Unfortunately, many employees can only receive what workers’ compensation benefits offer them. This means that you will be able to recover losses for important matters like lost income at work, medical treatment expenses, and more. However, there are some circumstances where a lawsuit could occur. These are known as third party claims and are available to you when an unrelated third party other than your employer has caused your injuries. This could mean that you sustained injuries from another employee’s negligence, or a product liability case with a manufacturer over a defective product.
How can a personal injury attorney help with my case? You should always have an experienced accident attorney on your side when you have sustained injuries in the construction workplace. A good, experienced attorney will help you recover losses as well as reduce your amount of paperwork.
What should I bring to my first meeting with my attorney? You should hire an attorney to avoid mistakes with paperwork and so much more. Remember to bring as much detailed information as possible when you first talk to your attorney, from your employment contract and paperwork, to medical records you received, to photographs of your injuries or the accident scene.
We will work to get you the compensation you deserve when you have been injured in the construction workplace because we understand the toll that your injuries could be taking on your life. At the Los Angeles Injury Group, we want to help you get the results you deserve in your time of need. Call us today at 310-954-7248.
Sources:
https://www.osha.gov/oshstats/commonstats.html
https://public.getlegal.com/legal-info-center/construction-accident/