By nature, construction sites are dangerous places, with strict health and safety practices in place to limit the likelihood of accidents. However, no matter how many precautions are taken, there are too many variables and accidents are bound to happen. Unfortunately, injuries resulting from construction site accidents lead to loss of earnings and high medical bills, which are detrimental to employees. Anyone injured on a construction site, whether they be employees or visitors, can claim damages and compensation. Below, you will find everything you need to know about construction site accident claims.
Construction Site Accident Causes
There are countless components on a building site, and not every accident can be blamed on on-site managers. Extensive legislation exists to govern contractors and employees to take responsibility for their own care and that of others. However, accidents can rear their head in many different ways including:
- Chemical or toxic exposure
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Vehicle or equipment malfunctions
- Incidents from training gaps or missing PPE
- Falling from height- both people and objects
- Constant loud noise and vibration exposure
All of these accidents can lead to a variety of injuries, which can completely alter a person’s way of life. No matter what the cause of your accident, you need to hire a construction worker injury lawyer to carry out an investigation and support you in making your claim.
Construction Industry Health and Safety
The United States Department of Labor is responsible for governing health and safety regulations within construction sites. The OSH act dictates proper conduct and safety measures that need to be followed by contractors and construction managers. If an employer or employee breaches the code and causes an accident, they are liable and will likely be sued for damages. To make sure construction sites are safe, managers should do the following:
- Hire the correct people
- Plan thoroughly ahead of the project
- Coordinate with necessary parties
- Communicate effectively with everyone involved
- Conduct a thorough risk assessment and put appropriate safety measures in place
- Educate the workforce on safety procedures
Liability In Construction Site Accidents
When accidents happen, a thorough investigation needs to take place to determine who is liable. The result will depend on the circumstances of the incident. For example, if a worker uses a forklift properly but is injured because of system failure, the manufacturer would be liable. However, if the construction manager was aware of the fault and allowed it to be used anyway, they would be liable as well.
How to Claim Compensations
The first action to take post-accident is to receive medical treatment and request a copy of your records. After this, you need to liaise with your attorney and gather evidence, which will include photos of your injuries and the accident, records of maintenance, and any witness testimonies. Your attorney will advise you on the total amount of compensation you can claim for.
Accidents are common occurrences within the construction industry, which is why businesses need to take appropriate measures to mitigate risks. When accidents do happen, employers should support injured parties to compensate them for loss of earnings and medical bills.
