Construction has been booming in North Carolina. That is great for the economy, but what few people realize is that there has also been an increase in construction accidents. The number of accidents with injuries or fatalities has been increasing along with the uptick in construction. On average, one construction worker dies every ten days while on the job in North Carolina, according to a new report from the Charlotte Observer.
In the past ten years, almost 360 construction workers lost their lives while on the job in North Carolina. In 2022 alone, the number of construction deaths totaled 47, which is the highest number in any year over the past decade. At the same time, the number of construction site inspections has decreased. Construction accidents are preventable and construction companies are often responsible for injuries that occur due to their negligence.
Construction Sites Can Be Dangerous
Unfortunately, construction sites are among the most dangerous places to work. Construction sites are required to adhere to local, state, and federal safety laws, but sometimes the rules go unheeded. When a company ignores a safety requirement it poses a serious threat to the welfare of construction workers as well as others. Some of the most common injuries occur due to falls, getting hit with items, crush injuries, and accidents with machinery such as cranes and forklifts. Construction companies must have safety precautions in place to prevent injuries and must abide by the rules set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and others.
In this video, Managing Member Matt Arnold discusses rising construction accidents and deaths.
What Causes Construction Accidents?
There are many reasons why construction accidents occur. Sometimes, companies don’t put enough emphasis on safety. A company may not properly train employees on safety and might not require employees to follow basic safety rules while on the job. Sometimes, employers may not provide adequate safety gear. The managers may not always ensure that the employees follow safety protocols, especially when time and money are at stake. Companies may not take the time or put in the effort to secure a work site, which can lead to accidents.
Construction Accidents are Preventable
Construction accidents are preventable. Construction companies must abide by the laws and rules as well as the standards in place for their industry. A construction worker died after falling from a roof during construction. The accident would have been prevented if the worker had been wearing a safety harness, which is mandatory. Last year, several workers died after being buried in a ditch in which they were working. The construction company should have used proper support to avoid the incident. These are just two examples of cases of accidents that were preventable had the company complied with the law.
What to Do if You Were Hurt in a Construction Accident
The construction company or owner may be responsible for the accident if you can prove that they were negligent. If their negligence resulted in an accident with injuries or deaths, you could be owed money for damages. Damages could include medical bills, lost wages, loss of consortium, pain and suffering, and more. If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a construction accident, we can help. Contact us today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 for a free initial consultation.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article287304610.html
Image Credit:
https://www.freeimages.com/photo/construction-workers-1560042
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