Construction Accident Statistics Keep Workers on High Alert

Construction is one of the most important industries in the U.S. However, construction workers put themselves at a high risk of sustaining an injury from a workplace accident. In fact, the construction industry is one of the most dangerous industries in America. For a look into the construction accident statistics that are keeping construction workers on high alert, read on.

Construction Accidents and Injuries by the Numbers 

According to data published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, 19.3 percent of worker fatalities in the year 2012 were reportedly from the construction industry. OSHA estimates more than 20,000 workers injured in road construction accidents every year. Additionally, in a 2011 article detailing America’s Most Dangerous Jobs published by Forbes, the construction industry was listed as one of the most deadly.

Types and Causes of Construction Accidents 

OSHA has named a “Fatal Four,” or the four most common causes of construction worker deaths. According to OSHA, eliminating the fatal four hazards would save 437 construction workers’ lives in the U.S. each year. 

The following construction accident statistics indicate the four most common causes of deaths for construction workers in 2012.

• Falls were responsible for 279 deaths in 2012.
• Being struck by an object accounted for 79 deaths in 2012.
• Electrocution caused 66 worker deaths in 2012.
• Being caught in or in-between machinery took the lives of 13 workers in 2012.

Sadly, the majority of the accidents that happen in the construction industry are preventable. In fact, a violation of a workplace standard may be the cause of an accident that results in an injury.

The following are examples of workplace industry standards violations. 

• Fall protection
• Hazard communication standards
• Scaffolding requirements
• Respiratory protection
• Electrical wiring safety and procedures
• Powered industrial trucks
• Ladders
• Control of hazardous energy
• The design of electrical systems
• Machinery and machinery guarding

If workplace standards were more strictly adhered to, the rates of accidents and fatalities could drop significantly.

Injuries that Result from a Construction Accident 

While there were 806 total deaths in the construction industry in 2012, according to construction accident statistics from OSHA, many accidents that occur do not result in fatalities. While some injuries that happen as a result of a construction accident may be minor, others are severe and have long-lasting or permanent effects.

Some common construction injuries that a worker may suffer after an accident include the following. 

• Amputations
• Burns
• Broken bones
• Lacerations
• Head injuries
• Impaired vision
• Loss of hearing

Seek the Help of a Personal Injury Attorney Today 

When you’re injured in a workplace accident, there’s nothing more frustrating than being denied the benefits and level of compensation that you need. If you’ve been in an accident and suffered a severe injury, or if you lost a loved one or family member in a construction accident, an attorney can help recover damages for the following. 

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering

You may be able to file a workers’ comp claim and a third-party claim, depending on who caused your accident.

At Chalik & Chalik Law Offices, our attorneys can provide you with more information about the types of compensation to which you may be entitled, and can guide you through the process of filing your claim. If you’ve been injured, the time to take action is now. To begin, call us today at 855-529-0269 or use our contact form to set up your consultation.