One of the most essential jobs in the country is construction work. Though many people gloss over this profession, in reality, it provides us all with growing communities, safe housing, and up-to-code buildings. Without construction work, our society would not be as advanced as it is today. However, it is vital that workers know the most common construction accidents in their industry.
Though it is one of the most important professions, construction work is also one of the most dangerous. Using heavy machinery and constructing large edifices can easily lead to accidents and injuries for the workers. There are many standards and safety precautions to prevent injuries, but not all dangerous scenarios can be avoided. As a result, accidents still happen all the time on construction sites, leading to hundreds of injuries and deaths per year.
Some accidents are more common than others on construction sites. However, regardless of the project, there is a general trend regarding accidents, and knowing them may help specific sites be more diligent. If you are injured by a construction accident, contact English Lloyd & Armenta for assistance.
How a Construction Accident Lawyer Can Help Construct Your Case
Often, construction accident claims involve numerous parties, complicated safety regulations, and thorough investigations. If you have been hurt on the job site, knowing your legal options is a crucial step in protecting your rights. A construction accident lawyer can:
- Evaluate the circumstances of the accident.
- Determine whether a third-party claim could exist.
- Assist you in pursuing workers’ compensation benefits.
In many instances, a construction accident case may include:
- General contractors or subcontractors
- Property owners and/or developers
- Equipment manufacturers
- Regulatory failures or safety violations
Because construction sites are tightly regulated, violating safety standards can have a major role in establishing liability. This is especially true when you consider the total cost of job injuries and illnesses in the United States during an average year, which is estimated to be in the range of $174 billion to $348 billion.
A construction accident attorney can:
- Analyze how the accident took place.
- Look over OSHA reports and safety records.
- Collect statements from witnesses and evidence from the site.
- Communicate with engineers and safety professionals.
- Identify all possible liable parties.
Construction accidents usually happen in an instant, and the evidence required to prove what happened can disappear just as quickly. Early investigations can be critical for building a solid claim.
The Fatal Four
Though there are many common accidents and injuries on construction sites, four categories specifically stick out. These events are called “the fatal four” because they are often very serious. They are:
- Falling
- Electrocution
- Getting caught in the equipment or machinery
- Being struck by an object
These are often life-threatening accidents, which is why they have such an ominous name. However, other common accidents are not as serious but still occur with regularity.
Falls
Falls are the most common construction site injury. In fact, across the United States in 2024, there were just under 400 fatal falls in the construction industry. In 2023, just under 20% of fatal occupational injuries in California were caused by falls, slips, or trips. These often occur when a worker falls from scaffolding, ladders, roofs, chimneys, etc. The severity of the fall depends on how far from the ground the worker was when they fell and the circumstances of the fall.
In some scenarios, safety equipment can mitigate the damage. In other situations, there is no safety system in place. Because construction means that the workers often create a new building from scratch, it is difficult to implement safety measures. This may be why falls are so common.
Machinery Accidents
A lot of the equipment used on a job site is hazardous. For example, construction workers use extremely heavy machinery to carry out the tasks necessary to construct a building, road, etc. Most contractors and supervisors go to great lengths to ensure that their workers are adequately trained on these machines.
Unfortunately, training cannot prevent all mistakes and accidents from occurring. Sometimes, machinery malfunctions or does not react as expected when used in a particular circumstance. In more unfortunate and preventable scenarios, an improperly trained person uses machinery and hurts someone in the process.
Vehicle Accidents
Construction often occurs on highways and streets. As a result, traffic is rerouted or slowed down to accommodate fewer lanes and limited access. Unfortunately, drivers often get frustrated about this and choose to drive recklessly to make up time. This can cause significant harm, or even death, to the workers on the site.
Slips or Trips
Though workers often try to keep materials organized, construction sites are naturally disheveled places. As a result, certain areas present tripping or falling hazards to workers, no matter how much is done to prevent them. Unfortunately, many of these trips result in injuries.
Electrocutions
Construction work often occurs near power lines and power sources. This means that it is easy to mistakenly hit power lines with machinery and equipment. Though there are precautions and signs to remind workers to take care, electrocution still occurs on job sites.
Ground Collapses
When crews excavate for a new building, they must disturb a significant area of soil to begin. Depending on the soil and its consistency, the surrounding earth can become unstable due to the excavation. This means that the ground can collapse with ease, carrying workers with it. Unfortunately, many are injured, trapped, or killed when this happens.
Repetitive Motion Injuries
This category of injury can occur in nearly any line of work. However, in construction, there can be larger-scale repetitive motion injuries, especially involving the back. This contrasts with wrist and neck injuries, which can easily occur in office settings.
Common Injuries on Construction Sites
The above accidents can lead to myriad injuries, depending on the circumstances and severity of the incident. Any injury type may be eligible for compensation, depending on what happened.
Some common injuries on construction sites include:
- Broken bones
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Chemical exposure illnesses
- Brain and head injuries
- Eye injury and vision damage
Any of these can be highly detrimental to your future and overall health, and they can put your family in a financially difficult position. In addition, some of these can be permanent or cause permanent issues.
What to Do If You’re Injured on a Construction Site
If you work on a construction site and suffer an injury, you can take certain measures to preserve your settlement and health. Follow these steps:
- Assess your injuries. If you might have a back or head injury, do not move. Seek emergency medical care.
- If you have non-life-threatening injuries, make plans to seek medical care. Either call an ambulance or determine who can take you to the hospital.
- If you can move, take note of who is nearby. Take photos of the injuries and the cause of your injuries if you can do so without hurting yourself or others.
- Alert your manager or supervisor, but give straightforward details about what occurred. Don’t go too in-depth.
- Call your attorney. Your attorney should be notified about the situation as soon as it happens. This protects you against predatory behavior from insurance companies or corporate representatives.
Protect Your Rights: Hire a Construction Accident Lawyer
Construction injuries can have severe, life-altering consequences. When you hire a construction accident lawyer, you get someone who knows the intricacies of construction accident laws, construction site liability, and injury claims.
When you hire a construction accident lawyer, they can:
- Determine whether further compensation beyond workers’ compensation is available.
- Find the negligent parties liable for the accident.
- Preserve crucial evidence before it disappears.
- Traverse complicated insurance and liability issues.
- Seek compensation for medical costs, wages lost, and long-term effects.
FAQs
What Are the Four Types of Construction Accidents?
Four of the most commonly cited types of accidents at a construction job site are:
- Falls
- Struck-by incidents
- Caught-in or caught-between accidents
- Electrocutions
In the construction industry, these categories are usually referred to as the “Fatal Four.” Understanding the possible risks and your employer’s role in protecting against them is crucial.
What Is the Number One Killer in the Construction Industry?
With so many potential dangers in the construction industry, pinpointing the number one killer can be difficult. Still, falls are thought to be the leading cause of death in the industry. Year after year, they account for a large percentage of construction job site deaths. It is the employer’s responsibility to enact efficient safety protocols and protections.
What Is the Highest Risk in Construction?
Construction is a necessary yet dangerous industry. Of its involved risks, working at great heights is usually considered one of the top risks in construction. This is especially so when proper protection for falls is not in place. If you are injured in such serious situations, you need tailored, in-depth strategies for protecting your rights and encouraging your recovery.
What Is the Biggest Cause of Construction Accidents?
There are many common causes of construction accidents, such as:
- Dangerous working conditions
- Lack of adequate training
- Failures of equipment or machinery
- The inability to follow safety protocols
Many accidents are caused by a combination of these factors. With so many factors involved, experienced legal counsel can be crucial in such matters.
Contact English Lloyd & Armenta
Here at English Lloyd & Armenta, we have nearly 50 years of experience representing construction workers after they get hurt. We understand the unique laws surrounding your job, and we can work diligently toward the compensation and care you rightly deserve. Contact us today for more information.
