Senior Partner
One of the most important steps that a construction accident victim must take to seek compensation is to demonstrate how the incident occurred. The burden, therefore, is on the plaintiff to explain to a jury the nature of the accident and the conditions that caused it to happen. Working with experienced personal injury counsel, you can present a compelling case that demands the justice you deserve after your construction accident. Turn to the team at Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C.
The most common causes of construction accidents
Construction job sites are necessarily dangerous places. A number of hazards are present and safety regulations are not always enforced. After a construction accident, it will be the plaintiff-victim’s obligation to lay out a case that explains in detail how it happened. These are some of the most common ways they do:
Slips, trips, and falls. There are all kinds of conditions at construction job sites that can cause a slip, trip, or fall. These are just some:
- Openings left uncovered or unprotected in floors
- Holes and pits that are not properly cordoned off
- Unsafe ladders and ladders improperly placed
- Slick surfaces
- Improper set up and lack of guardrails on scaffolding
- Uneven footing caused by poor flooring, temporary ramps or steps
- Staircase collapse
- Tools left carelessly on the ground
- Failure to provide safe set up to get on to or off of equipment
Struck by accidents. Flying, falling, swinging, and rolling objects can forcefully strike a worker, causing injury. Commonly, materials that fall from heights are in this category.
Caught in/between accidents. Being stuck or pinned between two objects is common on construction sites. This category includes getting a limb caught and injured in a piece of equipment.
Machinery or equipment accidents. Construction workers should be trained how to safely use machinery and equipment to reduce the chances of a major accident. However, the machine or equipment itself could be defective and thereby result in injuries
Electrocutions. Power lines, wiring, and power sources are common features of construction sites. If safety rules are disregarded, a worker could be electrocuted. Electrocution injuries can include burns, cardiac arrest, and nerve damage.
Collapses. Moving large amounts of soil can cause instability which may lead to a ground collapse. Other examples of collapses include tunnel, trench, building, and scaffolding collapses.
The role of negligence
All of the above ways that construction workers can be injured are preventable . The reason these accidents occur is usually rooted in negligence – that is, some irresponsible act or omission on the part of the property owner, general contractor, or another liable party. These are some examples of negligence:
- Failure to observe and enforce OSHA regulations and workplace safety rules
- Cost cutting shortcuts
- Lazy, inadequate site supervision or maintenance
- Inattention from trying to complete a job too fast
- Failure to care about or consider construction worker safety
- Failure to properly train and supervise workers
- Failure to provide adequate safety gear, e.g. eye protection
- The presence of excessively hazardous conditions, e.g. having too many construction vehicles on the site at once
- Defective or malfunctioning equipment, machines, tools, vehicles, and scaffolding
- Unsafe property conditions, including the presence of toxic substances
Were You Injured In A Construction Accident? We Can Advise You Of Your Legal Rights
If you or a loved one were injured on a construction site, don’t delay taking legal action. Medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering are some of the most common damages stemming from construction accidents. Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C. can review your case, explain your legal rights, and get to work building a case to seek monetary compensation. Reach out to us today.
