While construction workers perform extremely valuable jobs, the nature of the work involving heavy tools, machinery, and industrial equipment can be hazardous.
Construction can be one of the most dangerous trades for workplace injuries. While construction workers perform extremely valuable jobs, the nature of the work involving heavy tools, machinery, and industrial equipment can be hazardous. Here’s what to do if you’ve been injured in a construction accident in Missouri.
Common Construction Injuries
Some of the most frequent construction injuries are:
- Falling off a building
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Fire or explosions
- Respiratory problems
- Being squeezed or crushed between objects
- Struck by falling debris
- Electrocution
Construction workers often use extremely powerful industrial equipment, leading to serious injury if things go wrong. And construction workers are often working high off the ground on ladders and scaffolding. They also work long hours, often in tough weather conditions. Last year in Missouri, a construction worker was killed by falling.
Recognizing the danger of this field, the federal government established the Occupational Health and Safety Administration to monitor workplace safety measures. If a company or contractor is found violating OSHA regulations, they can face a financial penalty or criminal charges.
Steps To Take if You’ve Been Injured
Firstly, seek out immediate medical care if necessary. Secondly, if your injuries were due to negligence of the contractor or company involved, you may consider filing suit to recover damages. An attorney can investigate the case to see who is responsible and file suit if necessary. Documenting the injury as much as possible (such as with photographs of negligent equipment or a police report) can help your attorney down the line.
What Type of Damages Can You Recover?
If you have been hurt at a construction site in Missouri, you might be able to recover economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are quantifiable damages – lost wages and medical bills, for example. If you were scheduled to make $4500 working the rest of a job and were injured, you might recover that amount as economic damage. Diminished earning capacity would qualify as economic damages, as would lifelong medical care if you sustained a serious injury.
Non-Economic damages are a bit less quantifiable. Pain, emotional suffering, and permanent damage from an accident could all qualify you for non-economic damage.
Who’s To Blame for a Construction Workplace Injury?
While construction is an inherently dangerous job, many injuries occur due to improper workplace maintenance or failure to follow OSHA regulations. Lack of proper safety inspections is a common cause of injury. Some of the most frequent OSHA violations involve fall protection, scaffolding, ladders, and respiratory protection.
Get an Attorney Experienced With Construction Accidents
The Law Office of James M. Hoffman has extensive experience working with construction workers to recover damages sustained from workplace injuries. If you’ve been injured, call (314) 361-4300 24/7 for a free consultation call.