Construction work is hard work. From the physical requirements to the exposure to dangerous heights, equipment, and massive machinery, construction workers face many occupational hazards. Safety regulations exist to help protect workers from accidents. Unfortunately, the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health found in a recent study that construction employers are routinely violating laws put in place for worker safety, as well as building code requirements.
The same shortsighted mentality that leads to construction employers ignoring safety laws has resulted in a significant increase in construction workers experiencing potentially preventable injuries and fatalities on the job.
If you or a loved one has suffered a severe injury while working in construction, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you investigate to find out if the employer in question has a history of violations that may have lead to the accident.
Serious construction accidents may result from an employer's negligence
With proper safety practices, adequate training, well-maintained equipment and safety gear, the vast majority of construction accidents can be prevented. From falls to falling building materials, there are safety measures in place intended to reduce the potential for these accidents. However, when an employer in the construction industry decides to cut corners, it can have devastating effects on one's employees. On a construction site several stories in the air, small safety violations can have permanent, negative consequences for the person who suffers a traumatic accident or a fall.
After a construction site accident, you may not be able to work anymore. The loss of your wages may be temporary, while you recover, or permanent, preventing you from ever working in construction again. You may also incur substantial medical debt. Treatments ranging from trauma care to surgeries and physical therapy can create thousands of dollars in medical costs. If there's any uncertainty about liability, insurers may delay payments while they investigate. That delay can leave you responsible for the ever-building medical expenses from your accident.
An attorney can help you after a construction accident
If you or a loved one suffered a construction accident that resulted in serious injury or death, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help your family determine if a settlement offered by an employer or their insurance company is fair.
Your attorney can also negotiate on your behalf and help you determine if a civil lawsuit is in your best interests. Don't place yourself at the mercy of a company that caused your injury by cutting corners. Work with experienced legal counsel to seek the compensation you deserve while you recover.