Construction injuries require treatment and care and may result in the injured worker being unable to work for at least a period of time if not longer because of their injuries. This can cause medical and lost wages damages to pile up quickly. For that reason, construction workers and their families should be familiar with the different types of construction accident injuries and the help that may be available.
There are several different types of construction accidents that can injure workers including:
- Falls: Falls are one of the most common types of construction accident. Because much of the work performed by construction workers is performed on a ladder or on a roof, scaffolding or other height, it is not uncommon for workers to be injured in fall injuries.
- Falling objects: For the same reasons, construction workers are also at risk to be injured by objects falling from overhead including equipment and materials that are not properly secured.
- Equipment-related accidents: Heavy machinery and other machinery common on construction sites can injure workers such as a forklift that fails to function properly, a dumpster that overturns or a misfiring of a nail gun.
- Back overs and crush between accidents: Construction workers can be run over by large trucks that are backing up or can be crushed between vehicles and walls.
- Trench and building collapses: At times, trenches, buildings or other structures may collapse on a construction site and injure workers.
- Fires and explosions: Hazardous materials commonly present on construction sites can lead to fires, explosions and injuries to workers.
- Repetitive motion injuries: The nature of the work and tasks performed on a construction site can be repetitive which can lead to repetitive stress injuries for workers.
Construction workers can be subjected to a variety of risks on construction sites and in the course of their work. Because they can suffer extensive physical and financial injuries and harm in a construction accident, it is important for them to be familiar with workers’ compensation benefits and what they may be able to do for them.