Building construction is a sign of progress and economic growth. However, it is also one of the deadliest occupations in the United States. According to the Department of Labor (DOL), there are nearly 6.5 million workers at approximately 252,000 construction sites across the U.S. on any given day. The fatal injury rate for these construction workers is higher than the average for all other industries, according to the DOL.
Some of the most common construction injuries include:
- Falls
- Trench collapse
- Scaffold collapse
- Electrical shock
- Code violations
- Repetitive motion injuries
Unfortunately, many of the above accidents could have been prevented. It happens more often than you might think, but property owners will hire unlicensed contractors. Other times, general contractors or subcontractors will not provide a safe worksite. In addition, contractors can fail to maintain ladders, tools, scaffolding and other equipment. The result is a serious or fatal injury to a worker.
Litigation resulting from a construction injury is complex, and an attorney with a specialty in construction law is your best choice. It will require expert witnesses in the construction industry, architects, engineers, building code experts as well as medical experts.
Do you know someone injured at a construction site?