Construction is a dangerous profession. According to government statistics, construction accounts for about 1 in 5 work-related fatalities. Each year, thousands of construction workers also suffer debilitating injuries on the job, unable to work for considerable periods of time.
The construction industry in Texas is just as dangerous as in any other state. If you have been injured, you will need compensation to cover medical expenses and replace your lost income.
Below, we list the 10 most common construction accidents. Workers are advised to exercise extreme caution so that they do not suffer an injury.
- Slip and falls. A construction worker can slip or trip on almost anything, including tools that are left out on the ground, spilled liquids, or power cords. After falling, workers can suffer soft-tissue injuries like sprains, strains, and bruises, or more serious injuries including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
- Electrocutions. Construction jobsites run on electricity, which is necessary to power tools and keep lights on. Workers can accidentally get electrocuted when their cranes or ladders touch power lines, or when using defective equipment. Once electrocuted, a worker can suffer cardiac arrest or brain injury. Also, internal organs can be burned.
- Fires or explosions. Often, leaking gas or faulty electrical systems lead to fires or explosions which can lead to devastating burns.
- Falling from heights. Whether they slip and fall off a building or fall because of collapsing scaffolding, many workers get injured when they fall from a great height. Even worse, they pose a risk to those on the ground who they might hit. Workers can suffer TBIs, spinal cord injury, and even death.
- Overexertion. Long hours on the construction site can lead to burnout and physical injuries, including repetitive stress injuries. These might not sound serious, but over time these repetitive stress injuries can leave a construction worker disabled.
- Machinery accident. Machinery can malfunction, or a worker might be injured because they lack sufficient safety equipment. Machinery accidents can lead to burns, amputations, cuts, and other injuries.
- Collapsing trench. Workers use trenches to access remote parts of a construction site and to run powerlines. If a trench collapses with a worker inside, they can die.
- Vehicle collision. Many construction workers suffer injury when hit by a dump truck or a passing vehicle at the jobsite.
- Falling debris. There’s a reason workers wear hard hats to work. All sorts of debris can rain down on those below, striking them in the head and leading to devastating injuries. Many innocent bystanders can also suffer injuries from falling debris.
- Caught between objects or machinery. Workers often find themselves pinched or trapped between heavy machinery, which can lead to crush injuries, broken bones, and amputations.
Speak with an Austin Construction Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in a construction accident, receive medical care as soon as possible. Also report the accident as soon as possible to your supervisor.
At DJC Law, we have helped injured workers bring third-party claims against businesses and other entities that have injured construction workers. Contact us today to learn more by calling 512-888-9999 or sending us an online message. We offer a free consultation.
