Every day, workers risk their lives on construction sites. Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in Georgia, with a fatality rate that is more than four times the national average for all industries.
While many factors contribute to these construction accident injuries, one of the biggest contributors is a lack of safety training. Construction workers need to be appropriately trained to complete their jobs safely. Unfortunately, this often isn’t the case, leading to tragic accidents.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the dangers that construction workers face every day. We’ll also explore some of the reasons why construction is such a hazardous industry. If you’re thinking about pursuing a career in construction, it’s important to understand the risks involved. So read on to learn more!
What Causes Construction Accident Injuries?
Construction injuries are related to working environments where heavy machinery, tools, and other equipment are being used. Each year more than 100,000 people suffer from a construction injury that requires them to miss work or have a reduced capacity for some time. The following list highlights the top five reasons why these workers get injured:
1. Electricity
While digging, you might find some underground cables or pipes that lead to electricity. Since they are not your property, you should call the company maintaining them and tell them about it, so they can come and check. Otherwise, if there is still electricity running through it when someone starts working on top of it, there could be serious construction accident injuries involved.
2. Heavy Machinery
This would include cranes, forklifts, or other heavy machinery used for demolition or construction.
They might seem harmless at first glance, but pieces of broken scaffoldings could fly off while these big machines are moving around due to vibrations on the ground caused by their work. Also, remember that these machines require at least two people to operate them safely and efficiently.
3. Chemical Substances and Waste Disposal
Materials used to build the foundation of a building might contain chemicals that will not be good for your health or environment when exposed to humans or animals, so make sure you read about them carefully before starting any work in the area they were buried in without calling chemical experts first.
4. Animals and Insects
They might seem harmless at first glance, but you can never be too sure about them, so it’s best to always call pest control before starting any construction work in an area where they could be lurking around.
5. Debris or Loose Material on the Ground That Was Previously Buried Under the Earth
While digging, pieces of debris from previous constructions or even old structures that were destroyed could fall off while you are working on top of them without warning, leading to serious injuries if someone is unlucky enough.
Legal Remedies for Injured Construction Workers in Georgia
a. Workers’ Compensation Insurance
This is the most common way for Georgia employees to receive medical care and payment of lost wages if they are injured on the job. In some circumstances, it may be possible for a worker who is denied workers’ compensation coverage to recover damages under theories other than workers’ compensation.
Georgia law allows injured workers to sue their employers in civil court, alleging negligence or some other wrongful conduct that caused injury or death. Workers may also file third-party claims against insurance companies that deny them benefits.
b. Third-Party Lawsuit
If a worker’s claim for workers’ compensation benefits is denied, the injured worker may bring a third-party negligence claim against the employer. The injured worker would not be seeking coverage from the insurance company but instead would seek to hold his or her employer liable for any damages that might result from a denial of benefits under the workers’ compensation policy.
The employee’s third-party suit can be brought either in federal court or in state court. It is best if your lawyer files the case directly in the appropriate appellate court, which is what we do at Hines. We file lawsuits based on law issues as they apply to our client’s cases and argue those issues before appellate courts all across Georgia and in federal courts throughout the country.
Georgia Construction Accident Injury Attorney
A construction accident injury has a lasting effect on both the body and mind. In addition to medical expenses, an injury can make it difficult to support a family. If you have been injured in a construction accident, reach out to a Georgia construction accident injury attorney from Hines law firm for help with your case.
Our injury lawyers are experienced in proving that negligent employers should be held responsible for their employees’ injuries at work. We fight against negligent companies to get victims the justice they deserve for their pain and suffering due to an avoidable incident.
Resources:
https://www.enjuris.com/blog/ga/dangers-of-construction-industry/
