According to their statistics, there were a total of 5,071 fatal cases of work injury in 2008. While this was slightly less than the fatal work injuries reported for the previous years, the results are still startling.
The BLS document further explained that the slight reduction in total fatal construction site accidents was probably due to economic factors, rather than any significant improvement in safety procedures.
The New York Times ran a story on how some people are trying to push for safer construction sites, especially in light of a series of fatalities on the job in New York City. Some of the most commonly proposed solutions for legislation on how to reduce construction site accidents were reiterated in the article:
- Contractors should hire independent monitors
- Owners should only hire registered builders
- Establish a hotline to report unsafe working conditions
- Deny permits to developers who break the rules
Wikipedia states that the leading safety hazards on site include workers accidentally falling, motor vehicle crashes, electrocution, machines and heavy falling objects. Asbestos and solvents also remain a significant threat, even if they are not as widespread as other types of hazards.
A workplace injury is a particularly difficult subject to broach. If you are still capable of walking and talking then bringing up the subject with your employer (or a contractor you work for) can be intimidating. After all, the very idea of blaming your employer for your job injury sounds like grounds for dismissal.
On the other hand, some construction workers do not have the luxury of being able to confront an employer in person. Some construction workers are killed instantly, and it’s their surviving families that have to deal with this ugly situation in the aftermath.
Remember that construction companies are going to try and minimize their responsibility, no matter what the circumstances are. Some companies may try and settle for a ridiculously low figure, while others may try to imply that the work injury was the individual worker’s fault. After all, shouldn’t the worker exercise caution when around potentially dangerous areas?
This explanation doesn’t fly if the construction site is unsafe. If the construction company doesn’t adequately explain the risks, and if the construction company puts their workers at great risk knowing how dangerous the situation is, then there could be grounds for a lawsuit.
If you, or a loved one, have been injured in a construction site accident then do not make any decision until you have spoken to a lawyer. The Rasansky | McKenzie Law handles workplace injury lawsuits and can provide you sound legal counsel. You may be entitled to damages for medical expenses, wrongful death, personal injury and pain and suffering. However, you will never know the real story until you call! Call (214) 651-6100 or complete our online form for a free consultation.