Construction Accidents

The construction industry has one of the highest worker injury rates in the country. The causes of most construction accidents are unsafe equipment, work methods or site conditions, failure to provide safety equipment, and a lack of proper training.

Construction sites are riddled with conditions that can cause accidents and severe injuries. Often fatal injuries are caused from a roof collapse, structural collapse, or type of cave-in.

Another common cause of construction accident injuries is heavy equipment, such as a forklift. Forklift accidents are usually caused by lack of proper training for forklift drivers and the emphasis on working quickly at the site. Another piece of heavy equipment involved in work site accidents is the wheel tractor scraper. Tractor roll-overs often result in fatal accidents at construction sites.

Scaffolding collapses are another major cause of construction accidents. Scaffolding is a temporary platform constructed for reaching heights above arms' reach. Some scaffolding rises hundreds of feet in the air. Most scaffolding collapse accidents and injuries can be prevented by taking proper safety precautions.

Other commons construction accidents include roof falls & collapse, crane accidents, elevator shaft falls, floor collapse, electrocution and accidents caused by unsafe tools, defective conveyor belts, dangerous hoists and heavy equipment.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident contact Anapol Schwartz. Anapol Schwartz is a West VA law firm on your side a Wheeling, VA attorney (Barry Hill) can compassionately handle your workers compensation claim.

Employees have the right to work in a safe environment. The employer is under an obligation to provide a work environment that is safe and protected from the occurrence of accidents. A safe workplace is created by adhering to safety standards and regulations as well as training employees to be proactive and responsible in reporting unsafe or harmful conditions. All employees should be provided with the appropriate uniforms, tools, and gear required for their position. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, the prime contractor is always responsible for safety at the construction site and for compliance with all safety regulations. If the prime contractor employs a sub contractor, the subcontractor is also responsible for safety at the construction site and for compliance with all safety regulations.

Under workers compensation laws, a worker who suffers a work related illness or injury is entitled to compensation. The worker is entitled to compensation regardless of who was at fault. The injured worker is entitled to replacement income, medical expenses, and sometimes, vocational rehabilitation benefits. If the worker is temporarily unable to work, he is entitled to receive approximately two-thirds of his average wage up to a fixed ceiling. If the injury or illness results in the worker becoming permanently unable to do the work he was doing prior to the injury, or unable to do any work at all, the worker may be eligible to receive long-term or lump-sum benefits depending on the nature and extent of the injuries.

If you or any of your loved ones has suffered a construction injury, you may be entitled to compensation.