Construction sites are among the most dangerous workplaces in the world. From towering heights to powerful machinery and hazardous materials, the job comes with an inherent risk of injury. While safety standards and training are improving, accidents still happen far too frequently. For injured workers, the road to recovery can be long and expensive. Understanding the most common construction injuries and knowing when to call a construction accident lawyer can make all the difference in protecting your health, your rights, and your financial future.
Most Common Construction Site Injuries
Let’s take a closer look at the most frequent injuries sustained on construction sites:
1. Falls from Heights
Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in construction. Workers often fall from ladders, scaffolding, roofs, and elevated platforms. These falls can result in broken bones, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), or death. Improper fall protection, slippery surfaces, or unstable scaffolding are usually to blame.
2. Struck-by Object Injuries
Being struck by falling tools, materials, or debris is another common cause of injury. This can range from minor cuts and bruises to severe head injuries or internal damage. Inadequate barricades, poor communication, or negligence in securing equipment can all contribute.
3. Electrocutions
Electricians and general workers are often exposed to live wires, faulty wiring, or unmarked power sources. Electrocution can cause burns, nerve damage, cardiac arrest, or death. Poor training and lack of warning signs often play a role.
4. Caught-in or Caught-between Accidents
This includes being crushed between machinery, trapped in collapsing trenches, or caught in moving equipment. These types of accidents are frequently fatal or result in amputations and permanent disabilities.
5. Machinery-Related Injuries
Heavy machinery like forklifts, cranes, and bulldozers is essential but dangerous. Malfunctioning equipment or operator errors can lead to rollovers, entanglements, or crushing injuries.
When to Call a Construction Accident Attorney
After a construction injury, your first step should always be to seek medical attention. But once your condition is stabilized, it’s critical to understand your legal rights. Many injured workers believe that workers’ compensation is their only recourse. While it helps, it often doesn’t cover the full cost of recovery. That’s why knowing when to call a construction accident attorney is vital.
1. Your Injury Is Serious or Permanent
If your injury requires surgery, extensive rehabilitation, or leaves you with a long-term disability, you could be entitled to much more than workers’ comp offers. An attorney can help you pursue compensation for lost future earnings, ongoing medical expenses, and quality-of-life damages.
2. You’re Facing High Medical Bills or Lost Wages
Even with workers’ comp, many injured workers are left struggling to pay medical bills or support their families. A lawyer can help determine if third-party claims (against a contractor, manufacturer, or property owner) are possible to cover these losses more fully.
3. The Accident Involved Defective Equipment
If machinery malfunctions or safety equipment fails, you may be able to sue the manufacturer for product liability. A construction accident attorney will investigate and pursue those claims.
4. Your Workers’ Comp Claim Was Denied
Insurance companies don’t always play fair. If your legitimate claim is denied or delayed, an attorney can appeal the decision and fight for the benefits you’re owed.
5. There Was Employer Negligence or OSHA Violations
If your employer failed to follow safety regulations or knowingly put you at risk, you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. This can result in compensation far beyond what workers’ comp provides.
6. A Third Party Was Involved
If a subcontractor, supplier, property owner, or another third party caused or contributed to your injury, a separate lawsuit can be filed. These cases are more complex and require legal experience to navigate effectively.
Conclusion
A qualified construction accident attorney will help you understand your rights, hold the right parties accountable, and fight for the compensation you need to recover and rebuild. Your future is too important to leave in the hands of insurance companies. Call an attorney and take control of your recovery today.
