When on a job site — whether it is a large commercial project with multiple companies working simultaneously or a small residential project with a handful of workers, the single most important concern should be safety. Unfortunately, all too frequently, it is not. According to OSHA statistics, 4,679 workers were killed on the job in 2014, translating to an average of 13 deaths per day. Construction workers account for the largest segment of these fatalities, accounting for over 20 percent of all workplace fatalities. However, with care and vigilance, so-called “third parties” can prevent many of these accidents before they occur. These are often a general contractor or someone other than your employer. Similarly, lack of care and vigilance by the general contractor can allow preventable accidents to occur. This creates liability, or a so-called “third party case.” This type of case allows the injured worker to recover both in workers compensation damages and a separate liability claim with recovery under tort damages.
Common Types of Construction Accidents
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) classifies: falls, electrocutions, struck by an object, caught-in/between object injuries as the most serious, labeling them the “fatal four” because they most frequently result in death or serious injury. Alarmingly, many of these same accidents that frequently result in serious injury are the most often cited by OSHA following an inspection.
You can take some simple steps to avoid falling victim to a construction accident. First, always remain vigilant of your surroundings. If you do spot a hazard or danger, report it immediately to your supervisor or foreman. Some common hazards are uncovered floor openings, potentially falling objects, spills on floors, unguarded or moving machinery parts, confined spaces, and electrical hazards like frayed cords. Take a picture of the hazard with your cell phone and report the condition to your foreman. Do not attempt to work around the hazard.
Duties Owed To You On The Job
Whether you are working on a small project with a single contractor or a larger project with a general/prime contractor and several subcontractors, certain duties are owed to you by those in charge on the job site. 29 C.F.R. § 1910 and 29 C.F.R. § 1926, otherwise known as the OSHA Act, lay out the duties of prime contractors, that is, the contractor that is ultimately responsible for controlling the work on the job site. Some of those duties include the duty to inspect the job site for hazards, the duty to provide a safe means of egress from the job site, the duty to provide safety training and education prior to commencing work and so forth. In a general sense, you are owed a duty of reasonable care on the job site. The attorneys at Keches Law Group are leaders in the legal community in this area of the law and are well versed on the ins and outs of both the common and statutory law governing these accidents.
Were You Injured On A Construction Job site?
The first thing that you should do if you are injured on the job is to seek immediate medical treatment to the extent that it is required. Once your health is stabilized you will want to ensure that the proper paperwork is filled out to report your accident. It is very important to report the accident immediately to create a paper trail that will become the basis for any potential claim. At that point, if you are able, try to photograph the area where the accident took place. Also, remain focused on obtaining the proper medical treatment for your injury.
If you do wish to file a claim, the attorneys at Keches Law Group would be happy to sit down and talk with you about your specific accident. Typically, we schedule a meeting and sit down with the client, face to face. This direct communication is key to ensure that we are able to provide our clients with the best, and most personal, representation and care as possible. Then, we will send out an investigator to the scene of the accident to take photographs and interview witnesses. It is very important to get a clear picture of the facts surrounding any construction accident as early in the process as possible. Communication is key throughout this process and the attorneys at Keches Law Group are dedicated to maintaining a direct and constant chain of communication with our clients. As one of the largest personal injury firms in the state, we are experienced to handle a wide range of construction accidents and will work with you to let you know your rights and help you towards a successful recovery.
If you were injured at a construction job site, contact Keches Law Group today. Our experienced attorneys will help you determine the best course of action. Call us at 617-898-0808, or visit our website and chat with us online.
