Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
Three Killed in Charlotte Construction Accident
Three construction workers died, and two others were injured in a serious construction accident in Charlotte. The accident occurred at a construction site in the city, where luxury apartments are being built. The incident happened when scaffolding collapsed, causing workers to fall about 70 feet. Three workers were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others were transported to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center for treatment. Work was stopped at the site to allow for an investigation into the cause of the deadly accident.
Construction Accidents are Often Serious
Accidents that happen at construction sites are often very serious. In this case, scaffolding collapsed, which resulted in workers falling about seven stories. Scaffolding is a temporary elevated work platform that is utilized to provide access to a building that is not yet complete. Falling is the number one cause of death of construction workers, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA lists construction fall hazards as building structures, exterior construction areas, scaffolds, stairs, and ladders.
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Injuries Caused by Construction Site Falls
Falls may be from a higher location, at the ground location, or below the ground, such as falling downstairs. The severity of the injuries that could be sustained depends on the type of fall and the height of the fall. Scaffolding accidents are among the most dangerous because workers are often many feet above the ground. Injuries may include head trauma, back and neck injuries, broken bones, internal injuries, and more. In this particular case, several workers died as a result of the scaffolding collapse from a great height.
Preventing Construction Site Falls
Construction site accidents and falls can be prevented. OSHA has guidelines for preventing accidents. For scaffolding on construction sites, OSHA states that the scaffolding must be secured with base plates. Base plates provide level support for scaffolding. Scaffolding must be properly constructed and has to have adequate support. There must be a secure way for workers to use scaffolding. Guardrails should be used on scaffolding that is higher than six feet. Platform planks must be properly installed. In this case, the scaffolding collapsed. OSHA will likely complete an on-site investigation or review to determine what occurred.
What to Do if You Were Injured in a Construction Accident
If you were hurt in a construction accident, there are some steps you should take. Report the accident to the supervisor or construction manager. Seek medical treatment as soon as possible. The company has the requirement to report the accident to OSHA. OSHA will investigate what happened and determine what went wrong. You may be owed money for your injuries. Workers’ compensation insurance may provide you with some money for your injuries. It is helpful to talk to an attorney to determine your options and learn how to proceed.
Construction injuries can be serious, and you may be owed money for your damages. To learn more about what to do following a construction accident, contact our experienced legal team 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:
OSHA’s Fall Prevention Campaign | Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Three construction workers fall 70 feet to their death after scaffolding collapses (msn.com)
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