Los Angeles Construction Accident Lawyer

The construction industry has always been one of the most dangerous in which to work. Working with heavy machinery and chemicals creates considerable risk. While the industry has introduced new safety protocols, construction workers still rank near the top in workplace deaths and injuries each year.

According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), construction sites are linked to 20% of private workplace fatalities. OSHA also reports that 10-percent of construction workers suffer a significant injury each year.

Human error isn’t the cause of such accidents — negligence also plays a role in the thousands of annual deaths and hundreds of thousands of serious injuries occurring in the construction industry annually.

Given the risk of construction work, employers are required by law to take active measures to help keep workers safe. Yet many employers fail at this task by operating unsafe work zones or by failing to properly train workers, or give them the safety equipment they need.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common construction accident injuries. 

Understanding Construction Injuries

Construction workers suffer from a wide range of injuries. Some of the most common include:

• Falls
• Slips
• Eye injuries
• Burns
• Electrocution
• Being crushed or trapped
• Exposure to the elements
• Sharp object injuries
• Being struck by a swinging or falling object.

In addition to those injuries, chemicals can also cause serious harm. Some of the most common include the following:

• Asbestos — Asbestos is a carcinogen that is found in floor tile, pipes and other construction materials.
• Formaldehyde — Formaldehyde is a respiratory irritant found in carpets and plywood. It can cause cancer and breathing problems.
• Silica — Silica dust comes from bricks, glass and concrete and can enter the lungs and cause a variety of serious lung diseases and cancer.

What to Do if You’ve Been Hurt in a Construction Accident

State laws protect construction workers by requiring that all employers provide safe worksites. Employers must run safety programs and conduct regular inspections.

If negligence occurs, victims of construction injuries can pursue a claim through their state’s worker’s compensation system. They may also file a personal injury lawsuit, or pursue both at once. Bystanders or pedestrians who are injured when passing near or through a construction site can also file a lawsuit.

Injured workers should report their injuries quickly and document any hazards with photos or video. Speaking to any witnesses and getting contact information is also important.

Finding the Right Construction Accident Attorney

Construction accidents can have severe and often lifelong medical consequences. These injuries may diminish your quality of life and reduce your ability to earn a living. Fortunately, the legal system provides a way to be compensated for the injuries you’ve suffered.

Determining liability in personal injury accidents can be tricky. When choosing an attorney, it is imperative to work with a firm that specializes in construction site litigation and has the necessary experience to handle even the most complex litigation.

Doing so will help ensure that you are treated fairly — and receive any compensation for your injuries for which you are entitled.