Unfortunately construction site accidents happen much too frequently in Massachusetts. These accidents result in serious injuries, and even death. Sometimes injured construction workers don’t know where to go for help. Depending on the type of construction accident, it is important to target exactly what caused your accident, who is responsible, and all sources of available insurance coverages to pursue. Boston construction accident lawyer Christopher Earley can help you navigate this process. During two summers in college, he worked on construction sites, and got a first-hand look at how dangerous construction work can be.
Those who work on construction sites, such as carpenters, electricians, plumbers, crane operators, laborers and others, are exposed to the risk of personal injury each and every day around a construction site. If even the slightest safety measure is not followed, very serious injuries can result. Even those not working at the site such as pedestrians in the area of the site can sustain serious personal injuries from falling objects or collapses.
Unlike other accident cases, Massachusetts construction site accidents present unique challenges. The reason is that they can encompass different areas of law such as negligence, strict liability, and workers’ compensation law. Federal law also comes into play in with these cases as well. There are many safety rules that all employers, contractors, sub-contractors, building owners, and equipment manufacturers, and providers, must strictly follow.
What are Common Causes of Construction Site Accidents?
Due to the size and scope of most construction sites, there are so many things that can go wrong. No matter how careful the injured worker is, he/she is constantly exposed to on-the-job injuries. Employers and contractors in the construction field commonly chose saving money over property safeguarding a construction site. Inevitably, things go wrong. And when things do go wrong, it is common for construction workers to become seriously injured. Basic and required safety measures and accident-required safety guidelines are oftentimes ignored. This results in hard-working and innocent construction becoming injured due to no fault of their own.
There are many hazards on a site that can cause danger to a worker. Here are some common construction accident claims that arise:
- Scaffolding Accidents
- Slips and Falls
- Electrocutions
- Building Collapses
- Forklift Accidents
- Vehicular Accidents
- Equipment Failure
- Crane Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Chemical Exposure
- Elevator and Escalator Accidents
- Defective or Unsafe Equipment or Tools
- Failure to enforce work-site safety
- Car accidents caused by construction debris
- Supervision Errors
- Respiratory hazards
- Communication Errors
- Unsafe Practices
- Violations of OSHA Regulations and Other Safety Standards
What are Common Injuries on a Construction Site?
- Back injuries
- Strains and sprains
- Broken bones
- Dislocations
- Wrongful death
- Ankle injuries
- Concussions
- Wrist fractures
- Facial injuries
- Brain injuries
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy)
According to constructionlabor.com:
- Roughly 1,000 construction workers die annually
- Roughly 150,000 construction accidents happen annually
- Construction workers between 25-34 are most likely to be injured on a construction site
- Falls are the leading cause of injuries on a construction project
How Can a Construction Site Accident Attorney Help Me?
As a Boston personal injury lawyer, part of my job is finding out what went wrong that led to your accident. I also investigate who is responsible. General contractors, sub-contractors, and building owners are the parties that can be held responsible for your injuries. The key with these cases is prompt investigation so that all evidence is preserved, and all available parties can be pursued. That allows us to pinpoint which insurance policies are in play for the injured worker to collect on. Injured construction workers typically have both a workers compensation, and third-party liability claims that can be pursued.
