Construction Site Accidents: An Overview
Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer
Construction sites are an inherently very dangerous place to work. Not only are many people doing many different things at once, but the equipment, chemicals, and unsecure structures make the general environment more dangerous than a typical workplace. To reduce one's risk of serious injury or death, it's important for all construction workers, as well as anyone who might be passing through a construction site, to remain alert and exercise caution. Unfortunately, a large portion of construction site accidents could have been prevented, and if you believe your injuries and losses were the result of negligence or wrongful actions on behalf of a coworker or your employer, do not hesitate to discuss your accident with a skilled Philadelphia personal injury attorney who can help determine your legal options.
Common Construction Accidents
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that there are four main types of accidents that occur on construction sites: falls, electrocutions, caught-in accidents, and struck-by accidents.
Falls: These hazards include falls from building structures, ladders, exterior construction areas, scaffolds, and stairs.
- In 2007, falls accounted for 835 construction deaths
- OSHA estimates that 15% of all occupational fatalities are the result of falls
- 50% of all fall deaths occur in the construction industry
Electrocution: Electrical hazards result can result from improper grounding, exposed electrical parts, overhead power lines, damaged insulation, inadequate wiring, overloaded circuits, damaged tools and equipment, and wet conditions.
- In 2007, 212 workers were killed by contact with an electric current
- Nearly 5% of all accident deaths were the result of electrocution
Caught-In Accidents: These hazards typically involve cranes and heavy equipment, trenches and excavations, materials handling, and tools and equipment.
- There were 294 total caught-in fatalities in 2007
- 192 construction workers were killed in caught-in accidents
- Caught-in accidents account for approximately 16% of all construction deaths
Struck-By Accidents: Struck-by hazards involve flying objects, falling objects, objects on ground level, and swinging or slipping objects.
- In 2007, there were 504 total fatalities as a result of struck-by accidents
- Struck-by incidents resulted in 311 construction deaths
- Approximately 26% of all construction fatalities occur as the result of struck-by accidents
If you were injured on a construction site in or near Philadelphia, you should speak with a knowledgeable injury lawyer about your legal rights and options. Depending on the circumstances of the incident, you could have legal grounds to pursue workers' compensation benefits or seek damages in a personal injury lawsuit. The Law Offices of Thomas J. Murphy, Jr. can review the circumstances of your accident or injury, and advise as to how you should proceed forward.
Contact an Experienced Attorney for Your Case
In the event that an accident does occur and a construction worker suffers some type of injury, it's in their best interest to consult an attorney right away. Because the accident took place while they were on the job, they can seek benefits through the Pennsylvania workers' compensation system. However, navigating the workers' compensation system can be confusing and difficult, to say the least. Having an experienced Philadelphia construction accident lawyer on your side will ensure the necessary paperwork is filled out correctly and that your case remains on track.
Sometimes workers' compensation benefits are not enough to fully compensate the victim for his pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages. Fortunately, it is sometimes possible for construction workers to seek additional damages in a separate personal injury lawsuit.
If you are interested in learning more about your legal rights following a construction site accident, consider scheduling a consultation with Attorney Thomas J. Murphy, Jr. This effective and knowledgeable attorney has been practicing personal injury law for over 25 years, and can competently address both your workers' compensation claim and personal injury lawsuit in an effort to help you recover maximum compensation. Furthermore, Mr. Murphy is always available to answer your questions, address your concerns, and help you in any way he can.