Utah construction accidents are quite common. Working in construction is one of the most dangerous occupations in America. The construction industry employs more than 9 million US workers. Workplace injuries are commonplace in the construction field, with over 150,000 injuries occurring each year. According to OSHA, one in five workplace fatalities occurs on construction sites. There are many reasons these accidents can occur, whether it be human error or a machine malfunctioning.
Common Construction Accidents
According to OSHA, the “Fatal Four” construction accidents which result in serious injury or fatality are:
- Falls
- Being Struck by an Object
- Electrocution
- Being Crushed by an Object
These account for nearly 64.2% of all construction industry injuries. If we could eliminate these “Fatal Four,” we could save approximately 602 workers’ lives each year. Other common injuries include burns, hearing loss, broken bones, back injuries, repetitive stress injuries, etc.
Causes of Accidents
Utah construction accidents can be caused by many variables. Construction sites are very busy, and it’s not uncommon for someone to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and end up injured or worse. Sadly, one of the leading reasons these accidents occur, is the lack of safety standards on a site, some examples of this include:
- Unprotected sides, and holes in both the floors and walls – these hazards can cause injuries due to falls and falling objects
- Improper Scaffold Construction – lack of guardrail systems or fall protect can cause serious injuries and death as a result of a fall
- Unguarded Exposed Steel Rebar – protruding rebar with no protection can cause serious injuries such as impalement
- Exposed wires – these can cause electrocution
- Defective Equipment – defective equipment can cause injuries or death from being run over, electrocution, loss of limb, or explosions.
- Improper use of Equipment – Human error when using a heavy piece of machinery can result in severe injury or death.
Construction companies are required to provide a safe environment for their employees. OSHA has specific safety rules that construction companies must comply with. If a company doesn’t provide a safe workplace, it could be held responsible for the injuries which occurred due to their negligence.
Liability and What to do After an Accident
Utah construction accident cases can be very tricky. This is because determining who is liable for the accident is often very confusing. Oftentimes the employer themselves can not be sued, leaving workers with only worker’s compensation. However, it is possible that a third party could be held liable for damages suffered on a job site. If you’ve been injured in a construction accident and are wondering what your options are, follow these steps:
- Go to the hospital – Get a professional checkup even if you don’t think you have any injuries
- Report the accident – Report the accident to the construction site supervisor. Do this even if you are a pedestrian.
- Hire legal counsel – Call LeBaron & Jensen P.C. and meet with one of our construction accident attorneys.
Our skilled attorneys will help you determine who was liable for your accident and help you pursue your claim with the appropriate insurance company. Call today at 801-773-9488 for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Utah construction accident lawyers.
Leave a Reply