Construction sites are dangerous places where an accident can occur at any time. Some of the most common accidents involve falls. Even with every precaution, incidents can and do happen. Some of them can be quite serious and even life-threatening.
Falls from High Places
One reason that construction site accidents can be serious is because many times the fall happens from a higher height. The worker may fall from another floor, a ladder or scaffolding. With these types of falls, the risk is great for fractures or dislocated limbs.
One of the most common injuries with this type of fall is brain trauma. Even a fall from a few feet off the ground can lead to brain injury if you hit your head. You may not notice the injury at first, but you may have lost consciousness for a few seconds or longer. A TBI or traumatic brain injury can take days or weeks to show up after an injury.
Hazards on the Site
Another danger at construction sites is trip hazards. A piece of equipment may be lying around or a cord or cable placed across a walkway. Boxes and other items may be in a place of high traffic, which could lead to an accident.
Some of these areas are darker or don’t have adequate lighting, which makes it more difficult to see small items that you could trip over. While these falls are often not life-threatening or cause permanent damage, they can lead to serious injury. You could break a bone or hit your head.
Slippery Surfaces
All sorts of spills and messes can happen on a construction worksite. Substances such as oil are extra slippery and can lead to a fall. It can also be dangerous to fall into a chemical spill, which may not be safe to touch the skin or get on clothing.
It’s important to clean up spills as soon as they happen and to label the area until its safe again. Some chemicals are more difficult to remove and require special cleaners.
An injury on a construction site can be a major issue if the worker loses work for weeks or months while they rehabilitate. The owner may be held liable, which means they would have to pay for the medical care and any lost wages. Even though some accidents aren’t preventable, care should be taken to meet safety standards on the site.
Injuries can happen to others besides workers. They can occur with vendors, subcontractors and even passersby. It can be confusing as to when the property owner is liable or the construction company. A dangerous work site can become even more deadly if the owner is negligent.
If you’ve been injured while working on a construction project, you may be entitled to compensation to pay for your medical expenses and other losses. It’s important to find an experienced attorney who can help you get the compensation you’re entitled to and to determine the party at fault.
