High-Voltage Strikes Construction Worker

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:

There are four causes related to almost 60% of construction accident fatalities in 2017. OSHA calls these the “fatal four.” These consist of:

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:

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:

It is important to know that depending on these circumstances, injury victims may be entitled to more than just workers’ compensation. These rights include:

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.

OSHA Hits Pennsylvania Contractor With Major Fines

We are learning that the US Department of Labor has cited a Pennsylvania contractor for major violations and levied a fine of $208,560. OSHA says that the company, Etna Construction, was cited for several excavation-related violations.

At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, we know that construction workers have dangerous jobs and they deserve to be protected with the right training and safety gear. Their employers should never put them in intentionally dangerous situations. If you need a Pittsburgh construction accident attorney, call us today.

What Can Happen?

OSHA does not hand out fines for no reason and when they spot a violation, they take it seriously. In the case above, they found some serious problems. OSHA investigators say that Etna Corporation, “exposed employees on a job site in Philadelphia to excavation dangers by not using the appropriate protective systems, failing to teach employees how to recognize excavation hazards and not providing a safe means of exit from excavations.”

Construction work is incredibly dangerous and most construction companies take these risks seriously. Let’s look at the most common causes of fatalities in construction:

We know that many people survive construction accidents and are left dealing with serious injuries in the aftermath. Consider the following common construction site accident injuries:

Each of these injuries requires medical attention and many of them can leave a victim temporarily or permanently disabled. The cost of care in these cases extends well beyond emergency medical costs and includes:

Many construction-related injuries are less visible. These can include repetitive stress injuries that occur over time, often over the course of years. We also know that construction workers operate around hazardous materials that have the ability to cause respiratory illnesses like COPD and cancer.

In many cases, like the one above, we find that construction companies fail to provide workers with proper training and necessary equipment. When this happens, companies should be held responsible for all worker injury-related costs.

What You Can Do Now

If you or a loved one have been injured in a construction accident that was caused by another person’s negligence, you may need to seek legal assistance. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, our knowledgeable and experienced team understands these cases and we are ready to step in to secure the compensation you deserve. This can include:

If you need a Pittsburgh construction accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 888-98-TWINS(89467).

Work Injuries In Pennsylvania Take A Toll

When we look at the total fatal occupational injuries in Pennsylvania from 2006 – 2015, we are glad to see that they have decreased. However, there are still far too many deaths and injuries due to work injuries. For that time period, transportation incidents led the way in fatalities with falls, slips, and trips coming in second. Those two categories accounted for 615t of the total workplace fatalities across our Commonwealth.

We also know that many thousands of workers in Pennsylvania experience injuries while working in construction, survive, and must deal with the consequences of their injuries. If you or a loved one have been injured in a construction incident due to another person’s negligence, you can count on the team at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman to be by your side. When you need a Pittsburgh construction accident attorney, call us today.

Injuries Are A Reality

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries or illnesses for 2017, the latest full reporting year. Anyone who works in the construction industry knows that there is a potential for danger. The risks are there, but with good safety practices on the part of employers and workers, they can be reduced. However, we know that OSHA has what is called the “fatal four,” the four most common ways deaths occur in the industry. They include:

Aside from the deaths, thousands are injured and suffer the consequences. Consider the following injuries:

If a person sustains one or more of those injuries as a result of a construction accident, they will likely spend time in the hospital and may need extended rehabilitation in order to make a full recovery. While we recognize that workers’ compensation insurance should cover the medical costs and some income loss, there are times when a victim is eligible for further compensation.

Did an employer know about a potential danger yet not take steps to remedy it? Did the company provide proper safety equipment and training to all workers?

If they did not, then they could be held liable for injuries that occur. If a third-party contractor causes harm to a person, the victim may be eligible to file a claim for further compensation.

What You Can Do Now

We know that construction workers provide a valuable service to our economy. We also know that the industry is more dangerous than others. If you or a loved one have been injured in a construction accident caused by someone else’s negligence, please seek legal assistance. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, our knowledgeable and experienced team will work to secure compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and benefits, as well as possible punitive damages. If you need a Pittsburgh construction accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 888-98-TWINS(89467).

Two Injured In Construction Accident Near Pittsburgh

We are learning that two construction workers were injured on a Sunoco Logistics pipeline about 20 miles away from Pittsburgh. What we know so far is that one male and one female worker were pulling a piece of equipment, called a pig, through a section of pipeline under a road when that equipment struck and injured them. The “pig” is a device used to clean the inside of pipelines.

The female worker was treated and released while the male worker is still hospitalized with a broken arm.

At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, we know that construction accidents are scary. While workers do what they can to remain safe, sometimes the negligence of others ends up causing them harm. When you need a Pittsburgh construction accident attorney, you can turn to our team to help secure the compensation you deserve.

The Industry Dangers

The Construction industry is vital to the strength of our country. The men and women who work in construction are the ones who keep our infrastructure strong, our houses sturdy, and our businesses open. We know that there are risks faced by those who work in construction, more so than in most other industries.

The “Fatal Four” in construction work, as documented by OSHA, shows us that the most common causes of fatalities are:

We also know that there are many nonfatal injuries that happen in the construction industry, and these are the ones that can saddle victims and families with expenses beyond medical bills. Some of the catastrophic injuries that can occur are:

You will notice that some of those injuries occur due to an obvious traumatic even, like a fall or vehicle accident. Others, like hearing loss and respiratory problems, are more likely to occur over a long period of time after prolonged exposure to toxins or hazardous working conditions.

Construction companies have a responsibility to ensure employees have a safe working environment. This includes:

What You Can Do Now

If you or a loved one have been injured in a construction accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, do not hesitate to seek legal assistance. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, you can count on having a knowledgeable and experienced Pittsburgh construction accident attorney by your side who will fight to secure compensation for the following:

We know that there are times when workers’ compensation denies a legitimate claim or does not pay what you deserve. When you need a Pittsburgh construction accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 888-98-TWINS(89467).