Construction work is one of the most dangerous industries that one can be a part of. Statistics show that 1 in 5 workplace fatalities is related to a construction job. Many accidents and injuries can occur on a construction site. If you or someone you know were injured due to construction work, contact a New Jersey construction site workers’ compensation lawyer for skilled advice.
What Are Some Frequent Construction Accidents?
Construction workers have a dangerous job to do, no matter what type of structure they are working on. Some of the common accidents that occur include:
Falls, slips, and trips:
Slips and trips can happen anywhere, but falling is a major concern on construction sites. Workers are often on ladders, roofs, scaffolding, and other structures with significant heights.
Falling objects:
These high places of work can also pose a danger for the workers on the ground level. Hammers, nails, drills, and other objects can fall from high places injuring workers below.
Electrocution:
Construction requires electricity. Construction site staff work with wiring and power lines, exposing them to significant amounts of electricity that can cause injury and even death.
Machinery accidents:
There are hundreds of tools on a construction site. Cranes, bulldozers, and jackhammers are all powerful tools that have the potential to malfunction at any moment. Smaller tools can pose a problem as well if a user is not careful with a table saw or other power tools.
Vehicle accidents:
Highways and roads are often under construction. If a driver is negligent they could strike a worker or machinery near the road, causing serious damage.
Collapses:
It is possible that the area or structure that the workers are working on could collapse. Walls, scaffolding, and trenches could all collapse, crushing workers and causing injury or death.
Fires:
There is a plethora of materials on a construction site, some of which are flammable. Fires and explosions can cause severe injuries and death when unexpected and uncontrolled.
What Injuries Can Construction Accidents Cause?
Because of the large scale of the buildings and structures that are being created on construction sites, a lot of dangerous machines, materials, and techniques are used. The above-mentioned common accidents can all result in various injuries, including the following.
- Broken bones
- Vision impairment and other eye injuries
- Knee injuries
- Ankle injuries
- Neck and shoulder injuries
- Burns
- Electrocution
- Amputations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Death
Workers who experience an accident on a construction site may be severely injured or traumatized. They may experience not only the above physical injuries but mental ailments as well. Depending on the circumstances of their accident they may also develop PTSD, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and more.
Some injuries may be not from any particular accident, but develop over time. Construction workers are exposed to harsh weather conditions and constant loud noises and do continuous heavy lifting and repetitive movements. Workers may develop skin diseases, hearing loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, or arthritis.
