Dangers of the Construction Industry: The Fatal Four

OHare - The Fatal Four

by Tim O’Hare

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Every year, thousands of workers are killed on the job. In 2014, 4,679 workers were killed on the job, according to the United States Department of Labor, and more than 20 percent of those were in construction. One in five work injuries occur on construction sites.

Falls are responsible for the most construction site injuries and deaths, followed by workers being struck by an object, electrocutions, and workers getting caught in-between objects on the job site. These are the “Fatal Four” of construction site injuries, and were responsible for more than half of all construction worker deaths in 2014. Eliminating the “Fatal Four” would save more than 500 workers’ lives in America each year.

Some of the most common construction site accidents include:

• Falls from scaffolding
• Crane or building collapses
• Falling objects
• Electrocution, fires and explosions
• Faulty tools or equipment
• Dangerous chemicals

If you have suffered an accident on a construction site, you may be entitled to substantial money damages including reimbursement for medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental and emotional anguish, lost wages and benefits, future earnings and diminishment of enjoyment of life due to your injury. Spouses of the injured may also be entitled to collect damages for the loss of pleasure or companionship.

In cases where your injury was the result of gross negligence on the part of another individual or entity, such as an employer or manufacturer, you may be able to collect punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and to prevent the misconduct from being repeated in the future. In the event of an on-the-job injury or death, property owners, employers, architects, manufacturers, and even insurance companies might be liable for:

• Faulty machinery/tools
• Unsafe procedures or working conditions
• Negligent management
• Inadequate training
• Explosions or fires
• Failure to provide necessary safety equipment
• Unrealistic employer demands that led to safety shortcuts
• Exposure to toxic fumes or substances

If you have been injured in an accident on a construction site, or another work-related accident, contact the experienced legal team at The Law Offices of Tim O’Hare. We have represented clients against employers, manufacturers and other defendants who have caused workplace injuries, and we have successfully handled numerous cases. We know which medical experts and occupational experts you will need, and our personal injury attorneys will stick with your case no matter how long it takes.

Call The Law Offices of Tim O’Hare for your FREE Case Evaluation 972-960-0000 or Toll-Free 888-960-0020