Construction sites can be dangerous places with any number of hazards to look out for, but there are just as many hidden risks. On an ordinary morning in 2017, a construction crew in Bridgewater was operating a crane under a web of electrical lines. The crane made contact with a livewire, sending 23,000 volts like a thunderbolt done the crane, striking a nearby worker.
The worker survived but suffered massive electrical shock and burns. As Pittsburgh construction accident attorneys can tell you, construction accident injuries are not your typical workplace injury, but they are far too common. The personal injury attorneys at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman have seen our share of the unpredictable.
The dangers of construction work
Even a quick glance at a construction site can offer a long list of potential dangers. In 2019, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reported: “1 in 5 workplace deaths occur in the construction industry.”
Nationwide, 971 construction fatalities occurred in 2017, and 15 deaths a day in 2019. This does not even account for the multitudes of non-fatal injuries across the country. These injuries can be life-changing and debilitating. Typical injuries sustained by construction workers may include:
- Broken, fractured, and shattered bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
There are four causes related to almost 60% of construction accident fatalities in 2017. OSHA calls these the “fatal four.” These consist of:
- Falls
- Struck by an object
- Electrocutions
- Caught-in-between.
Construction sites in compliance with OSHA’s standards account for considerably fewer injuries and deaths yearly. Most of these injuries and fatalities are attributed to negligence in safety compliance. OSHA states the standards most often found in non-compliance are:
- Eye and face protection
- Fall protection
- Respiratory protection
- Ladder and scaffolding safety
- Powered industrial truck safety
- Machinery and machine guarding precautions
- Hazard communication (labeling and communicating hazardous products to workers)
- Hazardous energy control (preventing worker injuries due to inadvertent release of hazardous energy)
Taking care of the worker
Victims of construction site accidents may be eligible for compensation through workers’ compensation claims. There is no set amount required by law, and compensation varies, depending on the circumstances of the injury, including:
- The injury severity
- The recovery time
- The victim’s previous wages
It is important to know that depending on these circumstances, injury victims may be entitled to more than just workers’ compensation. These rights include:
- Wage replacement
- Full coverage of medical expenses
- Compensation for pain, suffering, and permanent scars
- Disability benefits
- Wrongful death benefits
Finding the right person to help
There is nothing simple about construction injury claims. A Pittsburgh construction injury attorney can help clarify the situation for claimants. By performing comprehensive investigations of incidents, we can determine all the aspects of liability. We can cut through the complexities of the Pennsylvania workers’ compensation system and guide you through the appeals process if needed. If we find a third party to be at fault, we can initiate and manage the personal injury case every step of the way.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, contact Pittsburgh construction accident attorney Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman at 888-988-9467 or 412-391-7610 to discuss your claim.