Construction Site Accidents
Posted Friday, July 23, 2021 by Chris Thayer
You may or may not be surprised to learn that construction workers face more work-related hazards than any other employee. While it is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States, it is also one of the most deadly. Studies show that every single day two construction workers die of work-related fatalities. A large proportion of these deaths are caused by falls. Construction workers are more likely than workers in any other industry to suffer death and injuries due to falling. One in 10 construction workers is expected to suffer a serious injury every single year.
*Construction Worker Accidents in Seattle *Just recently, a Seattle construction worker was killed in what is known as a “caught-between” accident, which occurred when he was pinned between a beam of steel and the flatbed of a semi-truck. The man was working on the State Route 520 Montlake Phase Project at the time, which involves replacing a bridge. While other workers were able to free him from the bind prior to paramedics arriving and began life-saving measures, it was too late and the man was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation into the employer to determine whether any negligence or workplace safety violations contributed to the accident is still underway. Legally, the investigation must conclude within six months and will determine the cause of the accident and whether any violations of the employer were contributing factors.
*Construction Site Injuries *Construction sites provide abundant means of injury. With precarious set-ups, high-stakes and heavy equipment, and many moving components, there is essentially an infinite number of ways to become injured on a construction site. However, the most common cause of injury on construction sites remains falls from higher levels. These falls can result in permanent disability, such as when they damage the spine or cause traumatic brain injuries. Falls are sometimes precipitated by another common cause of construction site injuries, electrocution. Electrocution can destabilize an employee or cause them to lose consciousness and fall. Even when electrocution does not cause falls, it can result in heart damage, brain damage, disfigurement, and death. Caught-between accidents, which often result in crushing injuries, organ damage, and internal bleeding, are likely to be fatal or cause long-term damage. Struck-by accidents, such as when a construction worker is struck by a falling object, piece of equipment, or debris, also pose a real threat.
*Options for Legal Recourse *If you have been injured on a construction site, your options for legal recourse depend on your classification and relationship to the employer. If you are an employee, you are likely limited to seeking benefits and compensation through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance, unless the injury was caused by a third-party or contractor. However, a lawyer can still work with you to navigate the process and ensure that you receive the maximum benefits and compensation to which you are entitled. If you are an independent contractor you do not qualify for workers’ compensation, but your option to sue is not impinged and you can file a personal injury suit against the responsible party provided their negligence, recklessness, or failure to abide by health and safety requirements, caused or contributed to your harm.
*Talk to a Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer *If you have suffered a serious injury on a Seattle construction site, it is important to talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to determine the best possible avenue to compensation. Contact the attorneys at Pivotal Law Group today and schedule a consultation. Serving Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Burien, Mercer Island, Issaquah, or the greater Washington State area, our lawyers are ready to fight for you.