Construction site accidents are extremely common, often resulting in severe injuries and death. In many cases, if an injury occurred to an employee of a company, workers’ compensation will cover the employee. However, there are many circumstances where a personal injury suit may be brought against responsible parties for their negligence in a construction site accident. In other circumstances, defective products may give rise to a product liability claim.
It is essential to discuss the specific circumstances of your case with an experienced and well-informed West Virginia construction accident attorney. Your lawyer will have the expertise that is required to ask the pertinent questions pertaining to negligent conduct and potential compensation that may be available to you. Tiano O’Dell, PLLC represents injured construction site victims in Charleston and all over West Virginia.
Common Construction Worker Accidents in West Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 3 percent of construction workers are injured each year. Construction workers are often in dangerous environments, using heavy machinery as well as dangerous tools. At the same time, construction companies and contractors sometimes cut corners when it comes to safety in order to save money or simply out of negligence. Some of the most common types of construction site accidents include:
- Falls. According to the United States Department of Labor, falls are the most common type of fatal accident for construction workers. In fact, 364 out of 937 total construction deaths in 2015 were caused by falls—that is almost 40 percent.
- Falling objects and crushing accidents. A shocking 10 percent of construction site accidents are caused by falling objects. Even though construction workers wear hard hats to protect against falling debris, large and heavy falling objects, such as beams, can still result in serious head injuries, crush injuries, and even death.
- Vehicle accidents. Construction workers often drive in vehicles to get to and from sites, or to travel within a large site. It is no surprise that a number of injuries result from car accidents on and off the road.
- Heavy machinery accidents. Heavy machinery such as bulldozers, front loaders, and cranes can be difficult to maneuver, especially on uneven terrain. Those operating these machines could be injured or injure those working nearby.
- Electrocution. Construction workers are often in environments that include exposed wiring and wiring that is being installed. Unfortunately, this leads to hundreds of electrocution accidents each year. About nine percent of construction site fatalities are caused by electrocution.
- Power tool accidents. In addition to heavy machinery, construction workers also use a number of power tools, from sanders and table saws to nail guns and staplers. These can cause both minor and serious injuries.
- Fires and explosions. A construction site fire or explosion can lead to a large number of injured workers, including serious burn injuries that can keep workers off the job for extended periods of time.
- Structure collapses. Like fires and explosions, structure collapses can lead to multiple injured workers and serious injuries and fatalities. In many cases, structure collapses are due to negligence.
- Repetitive motion injuries. Not all construction injuries are acute—some, like repetitive motion injuries, are simply the result of what is often a very physical job. It is just as important to report and recover from these injuries as from injuries caused by one-time accidents.
- Heat stroke or over exertion. Working in high temperatures can lead to dangerous conditions like heat stroke.
- Hypothermia and frostbite. In the same way, working in bitterly cold temperatures can also be a health hazard and result in hypothermia or frostbite.
- Toxic environment injuries. Many construction workers are at risk for being exposed to dangerous conditions, depending on the job they are working. For example, they could breathe in dangerous substances like toxic forms of dust or chemicals. These toxins could cause serious health conditions, like respiratory disease.
Understanding construction accidents can be complicated, and getting the compensation and justice that you deserve after an on-the-job construction site injury can be difficult. Speak to a West Virginia construction accident attorney today about your potential case.
Causes of Construction Site Deaths and Common Safety Violations
In 2010, there were 4,206 deaths caused in private industry, including construction site deaths, according to OSHA. Construction site deaths are most commonly caused by:
- Falls
- Electrocution
- Struck by object
- Caught-in/between
Some of the most common safety violations our West Virginia construction accident lawyers have seen occur in the following areas:
- Scaffolding
- Fall protection
- Respiratory protection
- Hazardous energy
- Electrical wiring, electrical systems design
- Powered industrial trucks
- Ladders
If you were injured in a construction site accident, you may be entitled to compensation that you did not realize you were entitled to. Workers’ Compensation insurance benefits are inherently limited by built-in caps. The Charleston construction accident attorneys at Tiano O’Dell, PLLC has helped thousands of clients throughout West Virginia over the past 20 years. There is no fee to discuss your case.
West Virginia Personal Injury Lawsuits and Wrongful Death Claims
If an injury was caused by the negligent actions of another, you have the right to pursue compensation in a personal injury lawsuit. Generally speaking, a personal injury lawsuit seeks compensation in the following areas:
- Medical expenses
- Hospital bills
- Physical therapy
- Medical treatment in the future
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income
- Other areas
A wrongful death lawsuit seeks compensation for the survivors of the deceased. The suit is filed by the administrator or executor of the estate. Depending on the family circumstances, wrongful death survivors may include:
- Surviving spouse
- Children
- Parents
- Grandchildren
- Siblings
- Other dependent relatives
Wrongful death suits commonly seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses from the time of the accident until death
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of support
Consult a West Virginia Construction Accident Attorney Today
Tiano O’Dell, PLLC, a premier West Virginia personal injury law firm, represents clients who have been injured in construction site accidents as well as families of deceased construction site workers. Founding firm members William Tiano and Tony O’Dell have been named as Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the esteemed American Trial Lawyers Association. They have also been designated as West Virginia Super Lawyers. They earned these distinctions because of their meticulous attention to detail and dedication to their clients – and by getting results.
As construction accident lawyers in West Virginia, they have helped thousands of clients secure the compensation they deserve over the past 20 years. While the great majority of cases are settled out of court by successful negotiations with the insurance provider and other responsible parties, in those cases where a satisfactory offer is not made, our attorneys will not hesitate to take the case to court for a trial before a jury. To schedule your complimentary, confidential consultation, call Tiano O’Dell, PLLC at (304) 720-6700.