A Guide to Common Types of Injuries for Construction Workers

Construction worker Injuries are far from rare.  As a matter of fact, one in ten construction employees reported minor injuries in 2017. Such injuries may occur due to the negligence of the worker or other workers when security measures aren’t practiced. In some cases, the workplace does not provide the proper safety equipment and/or does not follow the guidelines for ensuring maximum safety and security. In these cases, the company can be held responsible and employees are entitled to just compensation. The chance of workplace injury is high for construction workers. A construction site is full of dangers. A moment of negligence or carelessness can lead to life-threatening accidents.
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Injuries at construction sites could be minor or major.  In case of minor injuries, there is little concern regarding compensation as worker’s compensation usually provides adequately.  But, severe injuries could require substantial treatment and recovery time. If disputes arise in the claim settlement process, you should consider consulting with an injury attorney in Lake Charles LA. Below we have listed the most common injuries for construction workers.

1. Falling from Heights
Major concerns for construction workers include falling, stumbling or slipping. For example, when a tall building is being constructed, workers assume extreme risk working to erect the building. Proper equipment and safety gear when working at heights are paramount.  Generally, it is the hiring company’s responsibility to supply properly working safety equipment. Still, accidents occur and a fall from such heights are life-threatening,  

2. Hit by Hard Objects
Construction workers deal with heavy material and equipment.  The chances of being struck by heavy objects are greater than the general public risk. Incomplete projects also assume a greater risk of wall and roofing collapse.  Head and limb injuries are also a major concern as building material is moved from storage to use. 

3. Caught between Heavy Machinery Parts
Heavy equipment operation poses another threat.  Hydraulic presses for vertical lifting, forklifts for moving material, backhoes for digging and scaffolding for assembly, all carry a greater risk to those below, behind or in front of the machines, not to mention the moving parts.  Supplies that fall from any height can be fatal or life-altering to the workers below. Recovering from such injuries is usually a long journey and a costly affair. 

4. Electrocution Injuries
OSHA considers electricity a serious workplace hazard and has established stringent guidelines and safety equipment requirements.  An inexperienced construction worker that happens across unfamiliar electrical equipment can be extremely dangerous. To give you an example of the dangers, in a 45-year electrical career, the accident death to survival ratio is 1 in 16 out of 1000 electricians..

Options Available for Injured Construction WorkerA seriously injured construction worker will incur expensive medical and recovery bills. Moreover, until the time of recovery, they may remain jobless. Losing a limb or severe injury to the body can cause permanent unemployment. To deal with medical expenses and to find financial assistance, victims should consult with a construction accident injury attorney. A professional lawyer can negotiate compensation claims with employers. If negotiation does not work, an experienced trial lawyer can take your recovery case to court.  

In many instances, disputes arise with insurance companies regarding claim settlement. When this happens, enlisting the help of a local insurance claims attorney can be highly effective.

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Construction Accident Attorneys - Serious Injury Lawyers - Crush Injuries - Falls - Electrocutions - Falling Objects - Lake Charles, La