The construction profession is inherently one of the most hazardous occupations in Northridge. Each year there are countless worker injuries and fatalities in California because of construction site accidents. Construction injuries can be some of the most agonizing and intense. Further, with a long road to recovery, you and your loved ones might require significant compensation from those responsible. There could be a loss of income, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more. If you or a loved one sustain injury in a construction accident in California, get in touch with the Northridge Construction Accident Attorneys at Drake Law Firm for a free case consultation.
What are the Fatal Four of Construction Accidents?
Out of 4,674 employee fatalities that took place nationwide in 2017, approximately 1,000 of them (or roughly 20%) occurred in the construction industry. To put it another way, 1 in 5 work-related fatalities annually occur on a construction site. These are frightening statistics and they point to a serious problem when it comes to construction accident injuries and death.
The leading causes of employee deaths in the construction industry are:
These common causes of construction accidents and injuries are called the Fatal Four. These causes are accountable for nearly 60% of employee deaths in the construction industry.
Further, while not on the list of four, work zone highway accidents are also very common. There are many safety initiatives to address this recurring issue. In addition to criminal charges, when a driver strikes a worker, there will usually be a civil claim also.
Do Construction Accidents Cause Serious Injuries Often?
In some circumstances, the true effects of an accident might take some time to reveal themselves. Some injuries become considerably worse as days and even weeks pass. What may seem minor while on the job may actually be a serious, potentially life-long injury. Occasionally adrenaline masks injuries or they simply take time to develop.
In other instances, a routine injury may be aggravated or worsen during the course of treatment. For instance, an infection developing during or after surgery, or a greater muscle tear occurring during rehabilitation. Injured workers are protected in these events by the laws of California but they are required to actively seek relief from their injuries. Speaking with a personal injury attorney early can help secure your legal rights and allow you to recoup your damages.
That being said, construction accidents can result in serious or catastrophic injuries, such as:
Our construction accident lawyers in Northridge are here to help you get compensation and we provide our services at no cost unless we win.
What are the Top 10 Most Common Safety Infractions at Construction Sites?
The following is a list of the most common health and safety violations on construction sites. These violations can cause accidents and injuries that put employees' health and lives in danger. Typically these violations are found after an assessment of the worksite by OSHA.
OSHA releases this type of information to help avoid injuries, illnesses, and fatalities on work sites. These accidents are easy to prevent when you adhere to safety regulations.
The ten most frequent construction infractions are:
Should You Ask for a Free Construction Accident Case Assessment?
Under California legislation, an injured employee has the right to file and receive workers compensation benefits for injuries at work.
In addition to workers' compensation benefits, an injured construction worker may also have a third-party negligence claim. The case could be against a contractor, subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or other person or business. There can be a third-party claim as long as the responsible party is not the employer or co-worker of the injured or deceased individual. Typically, these kinds of lawsuits involve either general negligence in preserving safe working conditions, or products liability for negligently maintained or manufactured equipment or vehicles.
If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed as a result of a construction accident, an accident attorney should be consulted as promptly as possible to evaluate your case and to protect your rights. Your Northridge construction accident lawyer will investigate the cause of the accident, the extent of injuries and the responsible parties.
If the facts of your construction accident case do not call for a third-party negligence claim, you or your family still have a right to receive workers' compensation benefits.