Detroit Michigan Construction Accident Attorneys

Common Construction Accidents

Each year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) keeps track of workplace accidents and injuries that occur across the country. The federal agency has discovered that some construction accidents are more common than others, referring to them as the “fatal four.” The four most common causes of construction accident injuries are:

1. Falls. Falls account for the largest number of construction accidents. Some of these accidents are fatal, while others result in debilitating injuries. Construction workers may fall from roofs, scaffoldings, ladders, and other elevated surfaces, especially when there are inadequate or missing fall-protection systems in place.

2. Struck by object. Many workers on construction sites get hit by objects. These accidents may occur as a result of collapsing structures and misplaced objects.

3. Caught in-between. When working on a construction site, people are likely to get crushed, compressed, and caught between objects, machines, and tools.

4. Electrocution. Construction workers are at risk of electrocution due to frequent contact with electricity and exposed wires.

Common Construction Accident Injuries

While construction workers are no strangers to suffering bruises, minor burns, scrapes, and cuts, they may also suffer severe and deadly injuries. Some of the most common injuries sustained by victims of construction accidents are:

• Traumatic brain injuries

• Loss of a limb

• Broken bones

• Severe burns

• Spinal cord injuries

• Paralysis

• Crush injuries

• Back and neck injuries

• Wrongful death

Some of the injuries can affect the injured construction worker for the rest of his or her life. After a construction accident, a worker may never be able to return to work or enjoy their life to the fullest.

Compensation Options After a Construction Accident

There are several options for compensation that are available to construction workers. These include:

1. Workers’ compensation. The vast majority of employers provide workers’ compensation insurance to cover their workers in the event of accidents. Injured construction workers can file a workers’ compensation claim against their employer’s insurance company to receive benefits. However, those benefits may be limited. According to the official website of the State of Michigan, workers’ compensation insurance only covers a portion of the lost wages, reimbursement for medical bills, and vocational services.

2. Personal injury. Workers’ compensation insurance prevents injured workers from pursuing personal injury claims against their employer. However, workers are still eligible to file personal injury lawsuits against third parties whose negligence caused or contributed to the construction accident.

3. Wrongful death. When a construction worker dies on the job, his or her surviving family members may be entitled to compensation by filing a wrongful death lawsuit.

Recoverable Damages After a Construction Accident

A construction accident can result in physical, financial, and emotional hardships for victims and their families. Thus, injured construction workers can obtain compensation for the following types of damages and losses:

• Medical bills

• The cost of physical therapy

• The cost of vocational rehabilitation

• Loss of income

• Emotional distress

• Loss of consortium

• Pain and suffering

Consider speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney to determine your eligibility for compensation and determine the recoverable damages.