5 Most Common Work Injuries for Construction Workers

• July 7, 2024
• Attorney David Mann
• Construction Injury

A construction site is notoriously dangerous due to the activity, tools, and machinery in use. Despite strict safety rules and regulations, some sites are home to traumatic accidents. No construction job should turn into a life-changing event due to negligence. If you suffered severe harm due to the reckless actions of others, a defective product, or another form of negligence, a Georgia personal injury lawyer can help you.

Workplace Dangers: The 5 Most Common Work Injuries for Construction Workers

Severe injuries upend an accident victim’s life. Medical procedures replace your daily routine as the bills relating to your case climb. The aftermath of a construction accident is a time of great stress and anxiety for accident victims.

Some injuries require an extensive recovery, and others prevent construction workers from returning to their chosen line of work. Among the 5 most common types of work injuries for construction workers are:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI): The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines a TBI as a bump, blow, jolt, or penetrating head injury that disrupts normal brain function.
• Spinal cord injury: An incomplete or complete spinal cord injury results in some form of paralysis, forever impacting a construction worker’s mobility.
• Bone fractures: Compound and other forms of bone fractures are not only painful but generally require additional surgeries and physical therapy.
• Internal injuries: An internal injury requires a diagnosis by a medical professional. If left untreated, an internal injury can cause organ damage and possible death.

These are just a few examples of common construction site injuries. The long-term costs associated with each type of injury can cause victims extreme financial stress. When the injuries are the result of another person’s carelessness, they should pay for the victim’s damages.

The High Cost of Construction Site Injuries

Skilled nursing facilities cost thousands per month, and ongoing therapies, prescription medications, and other related costs can far exceed your personal funds. If you are the victim of negligence, no money should come from your personal finances for your damages.

For patients with a spinal cord injury, the costs include accessible transportation, a power chair, and home modifications for the power chair. Patients with a traumatic brain injury may never return to being the person you remember from before the accident.

It is frustrating and maddening to know that these and other severe injuries could have been prevented if the responsible party had used care. The pursuit of compensation in cases of negligence is your right.

If your day at work turned tragic due to a careless coworker, faulty safety equipment, or another form of negligence, a construction lawyer can help you.

Common Causes of Construction Worker Injuries

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the federal government agency that sets safety policies for the construction industry. Failure to follow federal worksite safety regulations can result in fines and other penalties, including closing a dangerous worksite.

Far too often, the agency cites construction sites for common violations. OSHA cites the following as among the leading causes of injuries and deaths on construction worksites:

• Falls: Lack of fall protection and fall protection training
• Scaffolding: Falls from scaffolding or other injuries due to improperly constructed or otherwise unsafe scaffolding
• Eye and face protection: Damage to eyes or face due to penetrating objects or dangerous liquids
• Electrocution: Injuries due to unsafe wiring or other electrical devices
• Unsafe machinery: Caught between accidents or accidents caused by machinery not being inspected or repaired, despite known mechanical issues.

This is not a complete list, but rather a few examples of contributing factors in construction site accidents. If you lost a close loved one in a construction site accident caused by negligence, you may qualify for a wrongful death claim and lawsuit. A Georgia wrongful death lawyer can review your information and determine whether your relationship with the decedent qualifies you for legal action.

No construction site worker is immune to experiencing a severe on-the-job injury. From architects to laborers, everyone on the site is at risk of suffering harm due to negligence. Construction site workers deserve safe work environments. If you suffered damages due to a construction site accident, fight for the compensation you deserve.

How a Construction Accident Lawyer Can Help You

Severe injuries can place you in a hospital or trauma center for days and possibly weeks. The pain and discomfort of your situation leave you no time to manage your case alone. Rest is essential for your recovery and nearly impossible if you must make calls, complete paperwork, and manage other aspects of a civil case.

A Georgia construction accident lawyer can protect your best interests as you recover and adjust to your new routine. A lawyer’s knowledge of state law and their experience serving clients who were harmed by negligence is invaluable during such a confusing time.

A free case consultation can help you learn whether you have a case and, if so, how to proceed. Most civil cases reach a settlement without proceeding to court. Your lawyer can negotiate a fair settlement with an insurance company on your behalf.

Insurance companies typically seek to close claims quickly — and for the least amount of money possible. If they offer you a settlement before you have a chance to hire a lawyer, do not accept it — contact a lawyer instead.

If you choose to accept the settlement alone, it is important to note that your acceptance closes your claim. If you later develop complications from your accident injuries, you cannot pursue a new claim or additional compensation.

Your case may go to trial if your lawyer is unable to reach a settlement agreement through the negotiation process. A judge or jury will then determine whether you receive an award and, if so, how much.

A Georgia Construction Accident Lawyer Builds the Best Case Possible

Years of legal experience are vital when it comes to your civil case. A Georgia construction accident lawyer will:

• Review evidence, such as accident scene photos and eyewitness statements
• Investigate and identify all parties responsible for your harm
• Keep you informed of the latest developments of your case.

Accident victims can help their lawyer by providing as much information about the accident as possible. Any evidence that may relate to your case is something to share with your lawyer right away.

As your lawyer builds your case, they can also ensure that your civil lawsuit reaches the court before the statute of limitations expires. As they build your case for compensation, they will file your lawsuit and continue negotiations with the insurance company. The intricate details of a civil case are crucial for securing what you need and deserve. It is also imperative that no detail be overlooked, like that of court deadlines. An expired statute of limitations can leave you with no further options, so it is imperative that you contact a lawyer without delay.

The knowledge that someone is on your side against aggressive insurance adjusters can ease your mind. The challenges you face due to another person’s negligence demand your full attention. A Georgia construction accident lawyer can dedicate their attention to your case on your behalf.

Fight for Your Construction Accident Damages

A construction site accident caused by negligence generally results in various damages for the victim. In addition, due to the physical activity required at most construction sites, a severe injury is likely to end a worker’s career.

In addition to mounting medical expenses, you may experience:

• Lost wages: income lost now and the loss of future earnings
• Pain and suffering: the emotional and psychological effect of your painful injuries.

Proof of your income and your medical records are crucial pieces of evidence for your lawyer. The same information is helpful if you lose a loved one due to negligence. While no compensation can replace your loss, it can help with such damages as loss of income and funeral costs.

The negative impact of a construction site accident on your life is unfair, and you deserve justice. Fighting for compensation with the help of a Georgia construction accident lawyer can ease your mind and make you feel less alone in your fight.

Can You Just Trust the Insurance Company to Help You?

When it comes to filing a workers’ compensation claim, you may think the process is simple and straightforward. However, even with common work injuries for construction, the insurance company is not working on your behalf but rather to settle the claim for as little as possible. That is going to cost you in the long run.

There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to injuries related to any of the most common construction work injuries:

• The insurance company wants you to get back to work as quickly as possible. You should always follow the guidance of your doctor instead.
• The adjuster may tell you that you have a limited time to file. While that is true, you absolutely should not agree to compensation if it is not in line with your losses.
• You can hire an attorney to help you with work injuries for construction workers. Having an attorney ensures your rights are protected.
• Do not let the insurance company pressure you into getting specific care. If your doctor recommends a different type of care, you should get it.
• Know that your employer cannot retaliate against you.

Working with a construction accident attorney is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your future. If you suffer an injury at work and do not receive the care required because you are pressured to come back too soon, that is going to impact your ability to work and enjoy life later. If you are hurt in an accident at work and have lingering losses, that is not something to overlook. Let our attorneys ensure you are not being forced to settle when you should not be.

Never Admit Guilt in a Worker Accident

You do not have to admit guilt, nor does the employer have to admit guilt for workers’ compensation claims to occur. However, you should never state that you are “sorry” for what occurred or that you “should have been more careful.” Do not try to provide a reason for why the accident occurred. You do not want to be blamed for these injuries.

If you are being overly questioned or you feel as though your claim will be denied, it is even more important to turn to an accident lawyer in construction. This claim could mean a significant amount for your future. You do not want to be unable to get back to your quality of life or suffer financially due to the injury.

Our team is committed to working closely with you. Even if you are unsure whether you have a case or if the insurance company will agree to fair compensation in your case, we can be there to advise and guide you into making the best decision for your needs. Put our team to work for you, and let us protect your ability to get fair compensation when you are hurt at work on the construction site.

Contact the Mann Law Firm Regarding Your Georgia Construction Accident

The Mann Law Firm understands the negative impact a construction accident has on a worker and their family. The loss of income, combined with physical, emotional, and psychological stress, can overwhelm you.

A lawyer from our firm can manage the intricate details of your civil case. When to file what, who to call, and how to negotiate firmly are examples of knowledge and skills we leverage on behalf of our clients. For more than 50 years, the Mann Law Firm has helped Georgia families fight for the compensation they deserve. We offer free case consultations, and there is no fee until we win a settlement.

Hold those responsible for your harm accountable with our help. While compensation is never guaranteed, we will work hard to secure the best possible outcome for your case. Contact the Mann Law Firm for a free case consultation at (478) 742-3381.