Construction workers around Philadelphia suit up every day for one of the most dangerous jobs in the nation. Workers face the daily hazards and do their best to avoid injury, but their employers are ultimately responsible for their safety.
According to state law, construction firms are expected to do more than just worry about getting a project done. They are required to do everything possible to provide a safe work environment. Unsafe practices on a construction site put a worker at risk for serious accidents that are preventable.
When Should I File a Construction Accident Claim?
When construction workers find they’ve been in an accident they eventually have to all ask the same question. Could my employer have done more to prevent my accident?
On the worksite, you may have found that workers weren’t always alerted to hazards and those hazards weren’t fixed. Proper safety devices weren’t provided. You might be able to file to collect damages for your injuries if they were the result of these lapses in preventative measures. A Philadelphia attorney like Edith Pearce can work with you to determine if your company is to blame for your accident and help you file a claim against them.
Common Unsafe Work Practices on a Construction Site
Construction companies can run year-round safety campaigns, but if those initiatives and great ideas aren’t used in the workplace they can still be blamed. Your employer is responsible for pushing these practices and also hiring supervisors who focus on safety.
Managers should be on top of inspections, monitoring, awareness, and even discipline. You should be protected from risk from other workers who are careless.
Examples of negligence on a construction site are numerous. These are just a few to look out for:
- Slip and fall hazards on the floor.
- Safety Gear not provided or using out-of-date equipment.
- Equipment maintenance not completed.
- Scaffolding and supports not secure.
- Obstacles left in the path of workers or blocking exits.
- Hazardous chemicals and substances not contained properly.
- Using equipment in ways not recommended by the manufacturer.
- Unsecured objects suspended above work zones.
Common Injuries on the Job Site
In 2018, Emergency Rooms saw around 195,000 visits due to construction injuries, that’s according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Unsafe Practices contributed to this number and lead to many different kinds of accidents on work sites everywhere, every day. A few of the most common injuries suffered are here:
- Head Injury
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Broken Bones
- Knee and Ankle Injury
- Eye injury
- Cuts and Lacerations
- Limb Loss
- Burns
- Repetitive Motion Injuries
- Toxic chemical exposure
- Heatstroke
Compensation After a Construction Accident
A construction accident claim can be tricky because you first have to determine who is responsible. The owner of the property and the construction company working on the property may be liable. Others, like a sub-contractor, an investor, or a tool manufacturer can all be targeted in a claim. A construction accident attorney is an expert in sorting through these many possibilities.
Once the responsible party or parties is determined, an injured worker or a family member can begin the process of filing a claim. Compensation for many of the losses and hardships suffered during recovery can be requested:
- Medical Bills
- Rehab treatment/equipment
- Travel
- Lost time from work (Including the expected future lost time)
- Permanent disability/disfigurement
- Pain and mental anguish
- Loss of consortium (Being without the support of a spouse, partner, family member, etc.)
Contact a Philadelphia Construction Accident Lawyer
If you or a family member has been in a serious construction accident in Philadelphia, you’ll need to think about the future for your family. A victim may not be able to return to work and support his or her family for months. These injuries are often caused by negligence on the part of an employer and they should be fully responsible for the hospital bills and lost wages.
After any accident involving a serious injury, contact a highly rated Philadelphia Construction Accident Lawyer such as Edith Pearce. Edith Pearce is personally involved in every case that we handle. She genuinely cares about her clients and you will not be treated like just another case or file. Contact her today to discuss your legal options.