Construction Can Be More Than Just Annoying

The sight of construction work areas, whether on the road or on buildings as you are walking down the street, is very common and considered to most nothing more than just a nuisance. However, what many do not think of is that construction sites can be very dangerous, not just to workers, but also to civilians who just happen to be in the area at the wrong time. No matter what the situation is, very severe and sometimes fatal accidents can happen due to a construction site.

Liability in Construction Accidents

On a construction site there are generally many different people working, and some may not be associate with the company. So how do you determine who was liable if someone was injured? Some parties that may be liable for an injury caused by an accident may be:

·     The owner of the property;

·     The developer of the property;

·     Designers;

·     Engineers;

·     Contractors;

·     Subcontractors;

·     Equipment supplier; or

·     Material suppliers.

When trying to determine who is at fault in a construction accident, there are several things that you must look at. One of the main things that will be looked at is who had control over the premises on which the accident occurred because generally at least some liability will fall on that person or persons. No matter what the situation may be, it is important to have an attorney who is an expert in this area to help and figure out who is at fault.

Common Construction Site Accidents

While there are many different ways that a person can get injured on a construction site, some accidents are more common than others. The federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) refers to the four most common accidents as the “fatal four” and claims that eliminating these fatal four injury types would save approximately 468 American workers’ lives a year. The “fatal four” injuries that occur on construction sites are as follows:

1.     Falls;

2.     Being struck by an object;

3.     Electrocutions; and

4.     Getting caught-in or between objects.

Occupational Safety & Health Administration

The danger that surrounds construction sites may be higher than some think. According to OSHA, in 2013, 20.3% of a total of 3,929 worker fatalities in private industries were in construction. Due to dangerous activities like construction work, OSHA has set regulations in order to try and reduce the amount of accidents that occur and to ensure that workers are protected from harms and given the safest possible area to work in.

Some examples are regulations that require employers to do the following:

·    Offer a workplace that is free from hazards;

·     Establish a comprehensive hazard communication program;

·     Ensure that employees have safe tools and equipment; and

·     Prove and require the use of protective helmets and other forms of safety equipment.

Contact a Construction Accident Attorney for Immediate Help

Have you or someone you know been a victim of construction site accident? If you or a loved one has been injured, let our law firm fight to help you get the compensation you deserve. If you are in the Fort Lauderdale area, contact the attorneys at Boone & Davis today. We will help to determine who is at fault for and continue to guide and fight for you through the entire legal process.