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Top 10 most common construction accidents
Construction work represents one of the most dangerous professions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that as many as one-quarter of all construction workers have suffered an injury on the job. Construction accidents tend to cause serious, disabling, or even life-threatening injuries, with construction accidents representing a sizable percentage of all workplace injuries. In addition, workplace accidents can not only give rise to a Workers’ Compensation claim against the employer but also a second case, commonly referred to as a Third Party Action, against another company or individual who was not an employer or co-employee of the injured worker but was responsible for the occurrence of the accident.
Certain types of accidents more commonly occur on construction sites, including:
Falls from Heights
Construction workers are often required to work in open, high places, such as on ladders, scaffolding, scissor lifts, cherry pickers, or roofs. Falls from heights rank among the most common construction accidents, and these accidents tend to lead to the most serious injuries, including broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and head injuries/traumatic brain injury.
Falling Objects
Construction workers may be injured by falling objects or materials, such as tools, shelving, building materials, or scaffolding. Workers may suffer head injuries or crush injuries if they are struck by objects that fall from significant heights.
Electrocutions
Construction sites often have exposed power lines and electrical wires that may result in a worker suffering an electrocution. Electrocutions can cause serious or life-threatening injuries, such as burns or internal organ injury.
Explosions and Fires
Flammable materials and gas may be left around a construction site, creating a risk of a fire or explosion. This type of accident can cause internal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, burns, and smoke inhalation injuries.
Slip and Falls
Construction sites are often messy, filled with debris, tools, equipment, or materials that can cause a slip and fall or trip and fall accident. Slip and fall or trip and fall accidents are a particular danger on construction sites exposed to the weather.
Equipment/Machinery Accidents
Construction workers typically work with heavy equipment and machinery and power tools, including saws, jackhammers, bulldozers, and cranes. Where workers use equipment and machinery in a careless manner or without the required training and certification, it creates a significant risk of injury.
Crush Accidents
Crush accidents may involve a construction worker being crushed under heavy construction materials or by heavy equipment or machinery. Workers may also suffer crush injuries when limbs get caught in equipment or machinery.
Trench/Underground Collapses
Many construction projects require workers to work underground or in trenches. However, excavated areas can be unstable, and if proper temporary reinforcements are not used, the underground workspace may collapse and trap and injure workers inside.
Motor Vehicle Accidents/Forklift Accidents
Construction workers may also be injured in motor vehicle accidents, especially where construction sites are on or along the road or highway. Common construction accidents may also involve wheeled equipment or machinery, particularly forklifts which are frequently involved in workplace accidents.
Overexertion
Construction workers may be required to spend long shifts exposed to the elements, which may put workers at risk of weather-related injuries such as heat stroke, dehydration, sunburn, or hypothermia, or frostbite. Even if a worker is working inside, they may suffer from overexertion due to extended periods of heavy manual labor without a break.
Contact a Clark Workers’ Compensation Lawyer to Discuss Your New Jersey Workplace Injury Case
A workplace injury can be devastating, particularly if it prevents you from returning to work for an extended period of time. Although New Jersey Workers’ Compensation laws are supposed to provide you with reimbursement for medical expenses and replacement pay for missed time at work, it is not always easy to get the Workers’ Comp benefits you deserve. You also may be able to bring a claim against a Third Party company or individual who caused the accident, in addition to a Workers’ Compensation claim against your employer. That is why you should speak with skilled and knowledgeable Workers’ Compensation and Civil Trial lawyers about your situation and get guidance throughout the claims processes. The experienced Workers’ Compensation and Civil Trial attorneys at Team Law represent clients in Bayonne, East Orange, Vineland, New Brunswick, and all across New Jersey. Call (732) 540-1394 or fill out our online contact form today to schedule a free consultation about your work injury case. Our main office is located at 136 Central Avenue, Clark, NJ 07066, and we also have offices in West New York, Perth Amboy, Edison, Summit, Newark, New Brunswick, Orange, Plainfield, and Jersey City.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
