If you have been a victim of a work accident in construction, the first thing you should do is inform your employer and ensure that they complete an incident report as soon as possible. After that, you should prioritize seeking medical attention and, of course, that of an accident attorney specialized in your area. Workers' compensation claims can involve victims who see a doctor of their employer's choice; seeking legal advice can help ensure that your employer's insurance company does not reject your claim and, if it does, puts you in a better position to appeal.
That is why if you have suffered a work accident in construction, you need to contact the Conexión Legal team as soon as possible by calling 1800 201 1220 or writing to us via WhatsApp so you can receive the best free legal consultation as soon as possible and, subsequently, the representation of an accident attorney to help you obtain the highest compensation that the law guarantees you.
What Do Laws Indicate About Construction Accidents?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, found that during 2015, 21% of fatal workplace accidents were related to construction. In fact, construction work is generally known as one of the most dangerous jobs. OSHA classifies the causes of workplace fatalities in both the private and public sectors, but excluding highway accidents, in what they call the four fatalities in connection with:
- Falls
- Struck by objects
- Electrical shocks
- Crushing by objects.
Falls
Cases are attributed to the cause of the largest number of fatal accidents in construction sites with almost 40%. This is because construction in many cases is carried out at a certain height and, consequently, cases can be very dangerous. Ladders, cranes and other heavy machinery play a very important role in construction, and if not properly installed, used or maintained, they can cause fatal injuries.
Being Struck by an Object
In addition to falls, accidents caused by falling objects in construction are one of the major causes of workplace accidents, accounting for 10% of fatal accidents on job sites.
It should be noted that in these places there is always heavy machinery, construction materials and debris, and when these elements are not closely monitored by safety plans, there can be significant risks to workers. That is why the use of a helmet is the first safety precaution that workers must follow to prevent injuries or even death at construction sites.
Electrical Shock
This factor represents 9% of fatal accidents, almost in comparison with accidents caused by impact with objects. You will always find electrical devices and components, as well as wiring at construction sites; these factors make people at construction sites vulnerable to electrical shocks.
If the equipment and safety mechanisms necessary to protect workers from electrical accidents are not available at this site, the consequences can be catastrophic.
Crushed by Objects
As discussed earlier, heavy machinery, equipment and materials are used in construction, and all these elements represent a great risk to construction workers. If a worker is trapped by such objects, there is a high risk of fatal injury, OSHA estimates that seven percent of these accidents are fatal.
If construction companies do not adhere to proper safety standards around heavy machinery, they put their workers' lives and futures at risk.
We invite you to read other reasons for Why should you hire an accident attorney?, as well as learning about all the factors in which the support of a professional like this could be crucial.
The choice of your attorney is one of the aspects that can contribute to the final decision of your case. For this reason, if you or a loved one need it, you should contact the Conexión Legal team as soon as possible so we can provide you with the best free legal consultation, and likewise, legal representation by an accident attorney in case of suffering any type of personal injuries in construction to obtain the best possible workers' compensation. Follow the steps in the following form to schedule your free consultation appointment.
