Construction Accidents Can Lead to Serious Injuries
The chaos at a typical construction site can lead to many different types of accidents. Heavy equipment and loud machinery are being used constantly, and often at dangerous heights. Many construction zones are placed in busy roadways where traffic accidents are common. These circumstances can spell disaster for construction workers, drivers, or even pedestrians who simply happen to be walking past a construction site.
At Deldar Legal, our Los Angeles construction accident lawyers have experience handling personal injury and workers’ compensation claims arising from all types of construction accidents. We will protect your legal right to compensation so that you can focus on your recovery. Call (844) 335-3271 today to schedule your free consultation.
The “Fatal Four” Causes of Construction Accidents
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, more than one in five worker deaths in 2017 occurred in the construction industry. A total of 20.7 percent of all worker fatalities in the private sector were in construction. Of these, more than half (59.9 percent) were attributed to just four causes. OSHA refers to these as the “Fatal Four”:
Falls
In 2017, 381 deaths were caused by falls in the construction industry. This means that over 8 percent of all worker deaths reported in the United States that year were the result of falls in and around construction sites.
Struck by Object
There are many hazardous objects in and around construction sites. Worse still, many of these dangerous items are used at heights, or on temporary scaffolding that is not very sturdy. Heavy machinery, tools, blasting materials, hazardous materials, and other dangerous items can easily strike and hurt anyone in the vicinity. Workers are not the only ones at risk – especially when objects fall from a height, passersby, and others in the area can be struck.
Electrocutions
Electric wiring can be highly dangerous – especially during construction when it has not yet passed final safety inspections. Electrocutions accounted for 7.3 percent of all construction worker deaths in 2017.
Caught In or Between Objects
This category includes construction workers killed when caught in – or compressed by – equipment or objects. It also includes workers who were struck, caught, or crushed in collapsing structure, equipment, or material.
Types of Injuries You Might Suffer
There are many types of injuries that can be caused by construction accidents. The most serious injuries cause death. Even if your injuries are not fatal, they can cause permanent changes to all aspects of your life:
Spinal cord injuries
The most severe spinal cord injuries can leave a victim paralyzed for the rest of his or her life. This can result in millions of dollars of care expenses over a lifetime – not to mention the victim’s lost wages. Less severe spinal injuries may be able to heal with surgery, physical therapy, or other interventions. But nerve damage is incredibly painful. Even if these therapies are able to repair spinal cord damage, the victim is almost certain to have a long and painful recovery. Even minor spinal cord damage – such as bruising – can be incredibly painful. While minor injuries might be able to heal on their own, the victim will be in intense discomfort during that time.
Brain damage
Brain damage can vary greatly in severity. The most serious cases can leave a victim unable to walk or talk. The victim might be unable to feed or bathe him- or herself, and as a result, be unable ever to live independently. Less serious brain injuries can still dramatically affect a victim’s life. He or she might have to find a new job or career. The victim might be unable to work at all. Hobbies, such as reading or crossword puzzles, might be out of reach. These losses can have a devastating impact on a person’s daily life. Even minor brain damage, such as a concussion, can be painful and uncomfortable and can also result in long-term brain damage. The University of Utah reports that long-term symptoms of concussions can include: trouble concentrating, memory problems, irritability, and other personality changes, sensitivity to light and noise, sleep disturbances, depression and other psychological problems, and disorders of smell and taste.
Internal bleeding
Internal bleeding can quickly become a life-threatening situation. Often, the victim requires emergency surgery in order to live. If initiated in time, the bleeding can be stopped. The victim often has a lengthy and painful recovery from such surgery. But injuries to the internal organs can lead to long-term effects, as well. A victim who enduring emergency stomach surgery might have digestive problems for the rest of his or her life. This can be a serious medical problem – especially if it is complicated by another condition, such as diabetes, that requires the patient to maintain a consistent blood sugar level. Similar complications can arise after a patient endures surgery on the lungs, heart, kidneys, bladder, or other vital organs. When this happens, an injury victim is entitled to compensation for all the complications and other long-term effects of the accident. Insurance companies are notorious for ignoring these costs when making a settlement offer. Be sure to consult with your own attorney about the long-term costs of an injury, and the amount of compensation to which you are entitled for future pain and suffering.
Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a Construction Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles
If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, you have legal rights that must be protected. Injury victims have the right to be fully and fairly compensated for all the losses they suffer. The insurance company will try to convince you that your claim isn’t worth very much, or that you haven’t really suffered, or that it is best to wrap your claim up quickly. They spend huge sums of money training their employees to pay as little as possible on as few claims as possible.
You need your own attorney to fight the insurance company’s army of claims adjusters and lawyers. Call (844) 335-3271 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation with a Los Angeles construction accident attorney. We fight hard to protect victims from insurance company tactics.
Tagged with: construction accidents, liability, personal injury
Posted in: Construction Accidents