Construction accidents can cause catastrophic injuries and death to workers unfortunate enough to face them. Among the most common construction accident injuries are falls and equipment failure. In 2013, construction accidents killed 796 workers, more than any other industry.
Fortunately, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) help regulate industries by setting safety standards that keep employees safe. Sometimes employers do not follow the regulations in place and accidents and fatalities happen.
Last week, a New Jersey construction worker was catastrophically injured when a construction crane overturned and ejected him into an embankment. The man was later airlifted out of the Green State Parkway construction zone with serious injuries.
Another accident happened in Ocean County, where a worker fell into a concrete crushing machine and lost his life. Last year, another man died in a freak accident after a tape measure fell several stories, striking and killing him.
Why Do Construction Accidents Happen?<
Fatal construction accidents happen due to falls, being struck by an object, electrocution and being caught in between objects. Falls are the most common cause of death in the construction industry, accounting for 36.9 percent of fatalities.
Not surprisingly, OSHA has fined many companies for failure to provide adequate fall protection, unsafe scaffolding and improper use of ladder equipment. Lack of proper training may make existing problems worse. According to OSHA, crane related accidents usually occur when a worker is struck by an overhead load or hit by part of the crane’s swing radius.
What Kind of Injuries Happen from Construction Accidents?
If a worker manages to live through an accident, the possible injuries may change his or her life forever. Injuries sustained during non-fatal construction accidents may lead to amputations, traumatic brain injuries, burns and spinal cord injuries.
Spinal cord injuries can cost $3 million in lifetime healthcare costs and impede a person’s ability to work and provide an income. TBIs may cause memory problems, behavioral changes and cognitive issues.
What Can I Do If I Have Been Injured in a Construction Accident?
When a company has a worker die from a fatal injury, OSHA may choose to carry out an investigation into why the accident happened. If unsafe working conditions are found, the company will likely be cited for a serious violation and be told to fix the problem.
In addition to an OSHA fine, surviving family members may decide to recover damages in a civil suit to cover arrangements for funeral costs and lost income. The presence or lack of an OSHA investigation, or the outcome of an OSHA investigation, does not influence whether someone can file a civil lawsuit for damages.
Spevack Law Firm represents the people of New Jersey and Middlesex County. We litigate cases where people have been injured due to the negligence of others. You can learn more about us by visiting our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Spevack Law Firm – Middlesex County Injury Attorneys
Did You Know? Since OSHA’s creation, workplace fatalities have been reduced by more than 65 percent.
You can find out more about construction accidents by visiting OSHA’s website.
