Common injuries sustained by construction workers
Construction workers have a dangerous job, especially those who work at heights. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s commonly used statistics, 1,008 out of 4,779 private industry workplace fatalities during 2018 were in the construction industry.
The workers’ compensation attorneys at the Law Offices of Deborah G. Kohl understand the most common types of injuries construction workers sustain on the job, including those that lead to fatalities. If you were hurt on the job and aren’t sure where to turn, we can help.
The Fatal four
The four leading causes of severe and fatal injuries in construction include:
- Falls — Construction workers who work on ladders or scaffolds are the most at risk of falling from heights. Falls accounted for 33.5 percent of all construction fatalities in 2018, making them the leading cause. Falls often occur when:
- Ladders aren’t secured properly or are defective, causing them to shift or sway.
- Scaffolds aren’t properly assembled or secured, causing them to lean or break apart.
- Workers slip while carrying heavy objects.
- Workers fall into openings in scaffolds, ramps, or other high walking areas.
- Struck by object accidents — When safety precautions aren’t put in place, it’s very easy to sustain injuries from falling objects, projectiles, machinery, or equipment. Struck by object accidents accounted for 11.1 percent of all construction fatalities in 2018.
- Electrocutions — Electrocutions often occur when wires and circuit breakers aren’t properly secured. Electrocutions accounted for 8.5 percent of all construction fatalities in 2018.
- Caught-in/between accidents — Caught-in/between accidents occur when workers get stuck inside of or between large equipment, building materials and debris. These accidents accounted for 5.5 percent of all construction fatalities in 2018.
Other common injuries sustained by construction workers
- Lung illnesses — Construction workers often come in contact with hazardous materials such as silica (which is found in concrete). Exposure to silica has been linked to serious and fatal illnesses such as silicosis, lung cancer, tuberculosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Back injuries — Back injuries can be caused by accidents on construction sites, repetitive stress, or heavy lifting. These often include muscle strains in the back; herniated discs; fractured vertebrae, and spinal cord injuries.
- Knee injuries — Construction workers spend a great deal of time on their feet lifting and carrying heavy objects. Over time, this puts a lot of wear and tear on the tendons and ligaments in the knees, causing them to eventually tear or become inflamed.
- Broken bones — Falls, caught-in/between accidents, being struck by objects, and accidents with equipment can cause serious bone fractures.
- Puncture wounds — Puncture wounds are common when construction workers come in contact with sharp objects, are hit by projectiles, or have accidents with nail guns.
Contact an experienced Massachusetts workers’ compensation attorney if you were hurt in a construction accident
The Law Offices of Deborah G. Kohl is dedicated to helping injured construction workers throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island receive fair compensation while recovering from their injuries. Our attorneys know how the workers’ compensation system works and how to work with insurance companies to maximize your chances of being compensated. We know that pursuing a workers’ compensation claim can be confusing and difficult. We’ll work with you every step of the way to help streamline the process.
Contact us online today to schedule your free and confidential case evaluation.