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Construction sites have heavy machinery and other hazards that can come with a great risk of injury. When someone gets injured on a construction site, they could have to deal with the impacts of the injury for the rest of their life. There are five things you must know about construction injuries to help avoid them or know what to do if it happens.
First is knowing the hazards on construction sites, which can help you determine how to prevent construction site injuries. Other important things to know are common construction site injuries and what to do after you sustain an injury. Last, knowing how to find an attorney after an injury can better help you seek the benefits you need.
Hazards on Construction Sites
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified the four major hazards on construction sites. They include falls, electrocution, caught-in, and struck-by accidents.
Falls
Construction sites come with a variety of ways someone could suffer from a fall. Whether the construction worker is on an elevated surface or there are trenches on the site, they could suffer severe injuries if they fall. Common causes of falls on construction sites include:
- The employers did not provide workers with adequate fall protection. When construction workers work at certain heights, they need tools and equipment to help prevent falls. If they don’t have the right equipment, they could fall from significant heights, causing serious injuries.
- The ladders the construction workers use are not safe. Over time, ladders can lose their grip or ability to withstand the weight. If this happens, the ladder could fail, causing the construction worker to fall.
- There are tripping hazards on the construction site. OSHA’s guidance includes ensuring construction sites are free of hazards on the ground. Construction workers should not leave tools on the ground after use. If they do, someone could trip on items left on the ground, causing injury
Electrocution
Construction workers have the potential to get electrocuted while on the construction site. For example, overhead power lines can cause electrocution if they are exposed and someone touches them. Another common way a construction worker could get electrocuted is if they touch a metal object that comes in contact with live electrical equipment.
Electrocutions can cause damage to the skin or internal organs. It can cause severe injury or even death. (MedlinePlus)
Caught-In
Injuries can result from a person getting squeezed, caught, crushed, or compressed between two or more objects. Examples include if the trench caves in while workers are inside of it.
Struck-By
Struck-by hazards can cause catastrophic injuries or even death to workers on a construction site. These hazards exist any time someone on the site could get struck or hit by an object. Examples of how someone could get struck by an object include:
- When a construction worker walks below an elevated work surface, there is the potential for objects the construction workers above could drop. These objects could fall on anyone beneath that surface.
- When striking materials, workers can cause objects to fly into the air, creating the potential to hit someone nearby.
It is essential to not work under loads other workers lift or under elevated work surfaces.
How to Prevent Construction Injuries
Many construction sites make safety a top priority to prevent a number of accidents. Ways to prevent construction injuries include:
- Wear personal protective gear at all times
- Ensure there is clear safety signage
- Keep the construction equipment and tools maintained
- Use fall protection when working at heights
- Keep a safe distance from the potential of falling objects
- Store materials properly
- Ensure the workers on the site are properly trained
Putting these safety precautions in place can help significantly lower the number of construction site accidents.
Common Construction Injuries
Because of the many hazards on construction sites, there are significant injuries someone could sustain. Common construction injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Illnesses related to chemical exposure
Any of these injuries could cause significant damage that could impact someone for the rest of their life.
What to Do After a Construction Injury
After sustaining an injury on a construction site, there are steps to take that can increase the likelihood of receiving workers’ compensation benefits and making a fuller recovery. The steps include:
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Make an accident report
- Gather photographic evidence from the scene
- Compile pertinent documents regarding the medical care received
- Contact a workers’ compensation attorney
When an injured construction worker follows these steps, it can benefit them greatly. A workers’ compensation attorney can provide more guidance on an individualized level after the worker contacts them.
Finding an Attorney After a Construction Injury
After sustaining an injury in a construction accident, a Los Angeles construction workers’ compensation attorney can help. They can provide the skills and knowledge needed to help you get the benefits you need after sustaining an injury on the job.
Finding an attorney with positive reviews can provide insight into how much they could help you. Also, asking people you know for referrals is a great way to find a workers’ compensation attorney. When dealing with a construction injury, it is helpful to find an attorney who understands these cases and the things you must know about construction injuries.
Contact KJT Law Group For Help After a Construction Injury
If you want to learn more about things you need to know about construction injuries, contact our firm today. We can explain in further detail what you might need to know after sustaining an injury in a construction accident. Our workers’ compensation attorneys Los Angeles have handled many construction accident cases and have the knowledge needed to manage your case.
When you work with our team, you can expect us to handle communications on your behalf, so your only worry is recovering from your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation: (818) 507-8525. You can speak to one of our team members about your case. We can answer your questions and provide information about your legal options. After the consultation, you can determine if we are the right fit to take on your case.
