Updated on Feb 16, 2023.
Certain industries pose a higher risk of serious or fatal injuries. With more and more workers being seriously hurt on the job, the construction industry is frequently cited for violating federal safety standards. We wanted to discuss 5 common construction accident injuries.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the regulating body that oversees construction sites. Even though OSHA has strict rules about operating machinery, wearing protective gear, fire protection, and electrical safety, an alarming number of serious injuries and deaths still occur.
Of the OSHA standards most frequently included in citations, scaffolding, excavations, ladders, head protection, and hazard communication are at the top of the list.
Below are the most common types of construction accident injuries.
- Slips and Falls
Falls are common and dangerous on the job. While slip-and-fall injuries can occur in any workplace, they are more common in the construction industry. Accidents include ladder falls, scaffolding falls, and falls from high elevations.
- Back Injuries
A back injury can occur from lifting heavy items. These injuries cause severe pain and are often difficult to treat successfully. An injured worker can miss weeks of work. In more serious cases, an injured worker can have permanent damage that leads to disability.
- Electrocution
It’s normal to find heavy machinery, large construction vehicles, power tools, and other items on a construction site. Other than the risk of receiving an electric shock, workers who receive an electrical injury might suffer additional harm, such as burn injuries or falling.
- Struck-By Hazards
A worker getting hit by a falling object is another extremely common injury. Unprotected ledges are very dangerous at construction sites, as one false move may lead to debris, tools, or other materials being knocked off and injuring someone below.
- Caught-In/Between Hazards
Heavy equipment and machinery, especially with many moving parts, can be especially dangerous on construction sites. Without proper precautions in place, it can be easy to get your hand compressed, caught, or squeezed in between objects. This can lead to crushed limbs, broken bones, and even death in some circumstances.
To prevent accidents on scaffolding, OSHA recommends making sure that construction sites refrain from using unstable objects, such as barrels, loose bricks, or concrete blocks to support the structures. For protecting their employees against fall hazards, OSHA suggests that sites use aerial lifts, guardrail systems, and safety nets when personnel are working on elevated surfaces.
I’ve Been Injured at a Construction Site; What Can I Do?
A construction site accident can be a life-changing event. Not only will you have to deal with potentially steep medical expenses, but if you’re a construction worker, your future career might be at stake as well. It can also be difficult to determine who should be held responsible and if you have the legal grounds to file a claim for your injury, or if you are covered under workers’ compensation in Colorado. Furthermore, the options available to an injured construction worker differ with regards to whether your employer was responsible for your injury, or if it was due to a third party. It can quickly become very confusing.
However, injured victims don’t need to face these problems by themselves. An experienced Boulder construction site attorney can help you understand your legal options and work towards getting you the financial compensation you need. The team at the Tenge Law Firm, LLC, will investigate the circumstances of your injury by visiting the construction site, consulting with experts, and gathering information from witnesses so that your claim can be as strong as possible.
Get Help From an Experienced Workplace Injury Attorney in Colorado
If you have suffered from a work-related injury, it is important to contact an attorney who specializes in personal injury law. An attorney can help you obtain workers’ compensation available to you as well as determine whether you can file a lawsuit against a third party.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation at (303) 665-2929. The Tenge Law Firm, LLC, can help you get the compensation you deserve. We have offices in Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins.