Today we bring you a story out of Santa Barbara because the incident shows us how dangerous the construction industry can be. A man, whose name has not yet been released, was killed in the early morning hours last Monday when a 7,200-pound steel I-beam he was moving rolled back onto him. Police say that the crush injuries killed him instantly.
At Hiden, Rott & Oertle, LLP, we know that construction incidents can be devastating. We also know that there are steps that companies can take that will prevent many injuries and fatalities. Unfortunately, many fail to take the necessary steps.
When you need a San Diego construction accident attorney, you can count on our team to be there for you.
THE INDUSTRY DANGERS
We always hear about fatal construction accidents. The industry is more dangerous than most others simply due to the nature of the job. Construction workers put their lives on the line each day to ensure that we have safe buildings and infrastructure. OSHA tells us that the most common causes of fatalities in construction are:
- Falls (38.7 percent)
- Getting struck by an object (9.4 percent)
- Electrocutions (8.3 percent)
- Getting caught in between objects (7.3 percent)
Notice that we said those were the fatalities. Those do not include the nonfatal injuries that workers sustain. Each year, thousands of construction workers are injured, many of them seriously.
Here are some of the common nonfatal injuries and their causes:
- Spinal Cord Injuries – these injuries commonly occur due to falls from scaffolding, ladders, roofs, and other elevated platforms. SCIs can lead to partial or full paralysis and disability.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries – these can occur in a variety of ways, including falling objects, falls from raised elevations, vehicle accidents, and more. Concussions are less serious forms of TBIs, but major TBIs can result in permanent disability.
- Broken or Dislocated Bones – these can include leg, arm, and rib damage as well as skull fractures that. These can range from minor to major injuries and lead to time away from work.
- Amputations – these injuries are common when a person gets a limb caught in between two objects.
- Hearing and Vision Loss – construction workers are exposed to chemicals and dust that can affect their eyes as well as loud sounds that can cause permanent hearing loss.
- Respiratory Problems – long-term respiratory illnesses, like COPD and certain cancers, can develop over time due to particles and chemicals that construction workers breathe in.
If construction companies fail to provide workers with proper safety equipment and safety training, they are jeopardizing lives and should be held liable for injuries and damages that occur.
WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS?
Do not wait to seek legal assistance if you or a loved one have been injured in a construction accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence. At Hiden, Rott & Oertle, LLP, we want to make sure you get the compensation you deserve, including:
- All accident-related medical expenses
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Loss of income
- Punitive damages
When you need a San Diego construction accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by calling at our office.