The Fatal Four

Construction work is inherently dangerous; in fact, one out of every five deaths suffered by workers claims the life of someone in the construction industry. Out of all the types of fatal accidents, falls are one of the most common causes of death among construction contractors. In 2014, this category alone accounted for seventeen percent of all fatalities among all workers. Falls are one of the four categories that make up what is known as the Fatal Four, which lead to more than sixty percent of all construction worker deaths. Besides falls, electrocutions, being struck by an object, and being caught in or between something round out the top four categories of construction worker deaths.

Scaffolding Statistics

Working on scaffolding is a common activity in the construction industry, and well over half of all construction workers find themselves performing this kind of activity as a regular part of their workday. Preventing accidents associated with this activity by providing better training or safer work conditions would doubtlessly save thousands of injuries and needless deaths. In many, if not most, workplace accidents that occur while working on scaffolding, the worker is injured either as a result of the scaffolding support giving out, after slipping from the scaffolding, or by a falling object striking them.

Workers’ Compensation, Personal Injury Matter, Or Wrongful Death Action?

While employers are required to provide workers’ compensation to those injured on the job while performing their job functions, this may not be the best option for those who have themselves suffered a workplace accident or who have lost a loved one in this manner. Depending upon the circumstances of your case, you may be able to achieve a better result by filing a lawsuit for personal injury or pursuing a wrongful death action. Speaking with an attorney experienced in construction accidents is the best way to know all of your options and which is best for you.

Have You Been Injured In A Construction Accident? Contact Alan Goldfarb, P.A.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction site accident, you are entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. Whether you need money for your medical bills, to replace wages from lost time from work, or even for pain and suffering stemming from the accident, the legal professionals at the office of Alan Goldfarb, P.A. can help you to receive everything you are entitled to. Our Miami attorneys will work with you to review the facts of your case and help you decide the best way to work towards getting the best possible results. Contact us now to set up your initial consultation today.

Resources:

osha.gov/SLTC/scaffolding/construction.html

osha.gov/oshstats/commonstats.html

local10.com/news/construction-worker-falls-off-scaffolding-at-south-beach-condo

Not Your Typical Workplace Accident

Though this incident occurred while the construction worker was on the jobsite, it is much different from the typical types of construction site accidents that injure workers. Construction work is one of the most dangerous types of work, and each year a significant percentage of workplace injuries are suffered in the construction field. The possibilities for accidents and injuries in this line of work are nearly endless; working around heavy equipment, on uneven surfaces, in precarious situations – it does not take much for an accident to happen and injury to strike. The most common types of accidents that occur in the construction industry fall into a wide range of categories but, according to the United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), more than sixty percent of all construction worker deaths were the result of the Fatal Four:

• Falls – Accidents involving falls due to uneven work surfaces, human error, or not using the proper safety equipment are the cause of the highest numbers of construction site deaths. Falling from heights off scaffolding or ladders presents a frequent accident scenario that can cause severe injury or death.
• Electrocutions – Workers often work on sites that are in all stages of construction and frequently need to exercise care around live wires and power sources.
• Struck by objects – Whether from equipment, objects falling from scaffolding or ladders overhead, or errant construction materials, workers are constantly in potential harm’s way just in the course of doing their job.
• Stuck in between – Workers face the risk of falling into collapsed trenches or being caught in or compressed by equipment, any of which can cause catastrophic injuries.

OSHA states that many of these types of accidents could be avoided with stricter adherence to safety standards and that hundreds of lives could be saved each year by eliminating these Fatal Four.

Legal Help With Construction Site Accidents

When accidents occur at the workplace, the office Alan Goldfarb, P.A. is ready to help. Our Miami construction accident attorneys have helped victims just like you recover for their losses and we are ready to help you do the same. You have rights under the law when you have been injured on the job, but you must take action quickly to protect those rights and pursue the relief you are entitled to receive. Do not delay – contact us now to allow us to help you get started today on the road to recovery.