Workers Face Risks of Serious and Fatal Construction Accidents

 Posted on August 29,2018 in Workers’ Compensation

A recent on-the-job tragedy reminded workers across the United States of the inherent dangers of working in the construction industry. On August 23rd, 2018, a 27-year-old construction worker was fatally injured while he and his construction team were working on a private preparatory school in northeast Maryland. The accident occurred as the construction team was attempting to move a portable building, and the worker was struck during the move. The Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Department are conducting an ongoing investigation in hopes of gaining further insight into how the accident occurred. 

In 2016 alone, 5,190 American workers were killed while at work. Over 20% of American workers that suffered fatal injuries in 2016 were involved in construction accidents. While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has worked extensively to minimize workplace fatalities, work injuries continue to plague a number of American industries, none more so than the construction industry. If you or a member of your family suffer an injury while at work, a knowledgeable workers' compensation attorney can help you receive the financial benefits you deserve. 

Why Are Construction Fatalities So Common? 

Throughout the United States, just under 100 workers are killed each week while on-the-job. One in every five American workers killed throughout 2016 worked in the construction industry. So why are construction injuries so common? According to OSHA, the vast majority of construction worker fatalities occur in one of four ways: falls, striking objects, electrocutions, or caught-in/betweens (which occur when a worker becomes wedged between two objects). 

According to recent studies conducted by the United States Department of Labor, an incredible 38% of all construction fatalities throughout 2016 occurred when workers fell on-site. Additionally, striking objects accounted for just under 10% of all construction fatalities, while electrocutions constituted another 8%. Construction workers are routinely asked to climb unfinished structures, move heavy objects, and wire electrical lines through buildings. The innate risks of construction work routinely come with a cost. 

Workplace Safety Violations 

In many workplace fatalities, the companies involved were in violation of OSHA safety standards. Among the most common violations are lack of fall protection, lack of protective guards or barriers around machinery, and insufficient protection against potential electrical accidents. The safety standards set by OSHA have had a monumental impact on decreasing injuries to workers throughout America. In the past forty years of OSHA operation, worker deaths in America have decreased from 38 per day to 14 per day. Still, if you suffer an injury at the workplace, it is possible your employer was in violation of OSHA safety standards and regulations. 

Contact a Waukegan Construction Accident Lawyer 

At Salvi and Maher, L.L.C., our team of personal injury attorneys understand how detrimental a workplace injury can be to the emotional and financial well-being of your family. Severe workplace injuries can lead to expensive physical therapy, loss of work hours, and long-term physical ailments. If you or a loved one are injured at work, it is critically important to find a legal team that will represent your family’s best interests. To set up a free consultation with a Lake County workers’ compensation attorney, call us today at 847-662-3303. 

Sources: 

https://www.osha.gov/oshstats/commonstats.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/worker-dies-at-construction-site-at-md-school/2018/08/23/712694d8-a6dd-11e8-8fac-12e98c13528d_story.html?noredirect=on