Common Causes of Injuries on Construction Sites

In a recent year, over 173,000 nonfatal injuries were reported in the construction industry. Construction is plagued with a host of risks, including unstable scaffolding, unsafe equipment, and failure to take proper safety precautions. Appropriate measures can avoid the majority of these injuries, although employers often fail to take notice until someone gets hurt.

In this article, the PA construction accident attorneys at HGSK Injury Lawyers discuss the four most common hazards on construction sites, referred to as the “Fatal Four.” If you or a family member has recently experienced a construction site injury, our legal team can assist you in recovering the compensation you deserve.

Falls

Falls account for more than one-third of construction site fatalities. As of this date, Pennsylvania is among the most dangerous states for construction workers. Improper use of scaffolding, open edges, lack of handrails or guardrails, poorly secured ladders, and lack of training are among the most common reasons that falls occur so often.

Those who survive a fall often experience severe injuries, including head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and fractured ribs. These injuries can result in long-term consequences, impairing mobility and a person’s ability to work. If you experience any of these injuries, seek medical attention immediately.

Electrocutions

Construction workers are four times more likely to be electrocuted than workers in any other field. Electrocutions on a construction site are typically due to making contact with overhead power lines, missing ground fault protection, and damaged extension cords. Electrocutions can cause severe burns, cardiac arrest, and respiratory failure, with repeated exposure to high voltage causing more extensive injuries.

In some cases, an electrical explosion may occur when there is a current connection from the air to the ground, or if a wire contacts an earthed system. Known as an “arc flash,” temperatures may exceed 35,000 °F, resulting in deafening noises, supersonic concussive forces, and super-heated shrapnel. Common injuries include hearing loss, eye injuries due to flying shrapnel, internal organ damage, third-degree burns, and long-term lung damage.

Caught-In or Between

Given the nature of the job, construction workers are at an increased risk of being crushed, squeezed, or compressed between machinery, equipment, or within trenches. As may be expected, caught-in or between accidents are common causes of crush injuries. A crush injury occurs when intense or direct pressure is placed on a body part, damaging muscles, nerves, skin, blood vessels, and bones.

If the pressure is prolonged, the release of such pressure may cause harmful toxins to be released into the bloodstream, resulting in organ failure and eventual death. To prevent being caught in or between machinery or objects, workers should keep a safe distance from machinery in operation, wear protective gear, and only enter trenches that have a protective system in place.

Struck-By

Struck-by injuries caused around 14,000 nonfatal injuries on construction sites last year. Struck-by injuries may be the result of flying, falling, or swinging objects, a piece of falling equipment, or being struck by a vehicle. Common injuries include head injuries, internal bleeding, and broken bones. The height at which tools and materials fall matters tremendously. The greater the height, the greater the risk of serious injury.

Who is Liable When a Construction Worker is Injured?

Although most construction accident claims are filed under workers’ compensation insurance, you may be able to sue a third party. To prove liability, you will need to show that the third party owed you a duty of responsibility for your safety and violated that duty through an act or omission. For instance, if an electrical subcontractor improperly installs an equipment-grounding conductor and the general contractor skips the safety check at the end of the subcontractor’s shift, both parties may share liability.

However, each party will be assigned a certain percentage of liability, having to pay based on their degree of fault. Common parties that may be named as defendants in a third-party claim include the general contractor, subcontractors, the project manager, the premises owner, the equipment manufacturer, and engineers/architects. If you are considering taking legal recourse against a third party in addition to filing a work injury claim, you should speak with our legal team to discuss your options.

Speak with Our PA Construction Accident Lawyers Today

If you have been injured while working on a construction site, you may be eligible to recoup any accident-incurred costs. The PA construction accident attorneys at HGSK Injury Lawyers have guided thousands of construction workers through the personal injury claims process and are eager and willing to help many more. If you believe that you have a work site injury claim, do not hesitate to contact us online or by calling (267) 551-8782.