The construction profession is inherently among the most hazardous occupations in San Fernando Valley. Each year there are countless worker injuries and deaths in California because of construction site accidents. Construction injuries can be some of the most excruciating and severe. Additionally, with a lengthy road to recovery, you and your loved ones may require substantial compensation from those responsible. There may be a loss of income, medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. If you or a family member suffer injury in a construction accident in California, reach out to the San Fernando Valley Construction Accident Attorneys at Drake Law Firm for a free case assessment.
What Are the Fatal Four of Construction Accidents?
Out of 4,674 worker fatalities that happened across the country in 2017, nearly 1,000 of them (or roughly 20%) took place in the construction industry. To put it another way, 1 in 5 work-related fatalities annually occur on a construction site. These are scary statistics and they point to a major problem when it involves construction accident injuries and fatality.
The leading causes of worker fatalities in the construction industry are:
These common causes of construction accidents and injuries are called the Fatal Four. These causes are responsible for virtually 60% of worker fatalities in the construction industry.
Additionally, while not on the list of four, work zone highway accidents are also very common. There are numerous safety initiatives to address this ongoing issue. In addition to criminal charges, when a driver hits a worker, there will generally be a civil case too.
Do Construction Accidents Cause Serious Injuries Often?
In some circumstances, the true effects of an accident may take some time to reveal themselves. Some injuries become progressively worse as days and even weeks pass. What may seem minor while at work may in fact be a major, possibly life-long injury. Occasionally adrenaline masks injuries or they simply take a while to develop.
In other instances, a routine injury might be aggravated or worsen throughout the course of treatment. For instance, an infection developing during or after surgery, or a greater muscle tear occurring during rehabilitation. Injured employees 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 lawyer early can help secure your rights and allow you to recoup your damages.
That being said, construction accidents can result in severe or catastrophic injuries, such as:
Our construction accident lawyers in San Fernando Valley are here to help you receive compensation and we offer 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 result in accidents and injuries that put employees' health and lives in danger. Typically these infractions are found after an inspection 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 avoid when you abide by safety guidelines.
Should You Ask For a Complimentary Construction Accident Case Consultation?
Under California legislation, an injured worker has the right to file and receive workers compensation benefits for injuries on the job.
In addition to workers' compensation benefits, an injured construction worker may also have a third-party negligence case. The claim could be against a contractor, subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or other individual or business. There can be a third-party claim as long as the guilty party is not the employer or co-worker of the injured or deceased person. Generally, these types of cases involve either general negligence in preserving safe working conditions, or products liability for negligently managed or designed equipment or vehicles.
If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed as a result of a construction accident, an accident lawyer should be consulted as quickly as possible to evaluate your situation and to protect your rights. Your San Fernando Valley construction accident attorney will examine the cause of the accident, the extent of injuries and the accountable parties.
If the facts of your construction accident case do not require a third-party negligence claim, you or your family still have a right to receive workers' compensation benefits.