Construction Site Accident Guide

Last updated on October 18, 2024

Working on a construction site exposes you to many potential safety risks. No matter how careful you are, or how many precautions you take; most job site accidents occur unexpectedly.

At Wampler & Souder, LLC, we have extensive experience helping victims of job site accidents obtain necessary compensation for their injuries. After an accident occurs, you may feel pressure to accept the initial settlement offer made by the at-fault party’s insurance company. It is crucial that you resist these pressures and speak with an experienced construction accidents attorney before signing or agreeing to any type of compensation.

Common Injuries On Construction Sites

Construction sites are inherently dangerous – and everybody knows it. The combination of heavy equipment, high elevations and multiple jobs being done at once creates a significant opportunity for injuries, such as:

• Falls: Workers can fall from ladders, scaffolding, roofs, the cabs of cranes, lifts and more, leading to multiple injuries that can range from broken bones to brain damage.
• Electrocution: Contact with exposed wiring, power lines or faulty equipment, leading to burns, nerve damage or even death.
• Caught-in/between accidents: These happen when a worker or visitor to a construction site is trapped in or between machinery, vehicles, equipment or falling construction materials, often with devastating results.
• Struck-by object accidents: Falling tools, poorly secured materials and moving vehicles (like forklifts) directed by distracted drivers can lead to serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, limb loss and more.
• Burns and chemical exposure: This often happens due to accidental contact with hot surfaces or equipment, insufficient warning on chemicals or the explosion of flammable materials.
• Hearing loss: Prolonged exposure to loud machinery and vehicles can gradually cause long-term damage to a victim’s hearing.
• Heat stroke: When the weather is warm, it is far too easy for construction workers to get overheated to the point that they may suffer permanent internal damage.
• Overexertion and muscle strain: Lifting, pushing, pulling and stretching are a constant part of construction work, and one wrong move can lead to slipped discs, muscle tears and joint issues.
• Repetitive stress injuries: Sometimes, an injury comes on gradually as the constant pressure and repetitive use of someone’s hands, arms, shoulders, neck and knees eventually takes its toll, leading to chronic pain and debilitation.
• Motor vehicle accidents: It is an unfortunate reality that many workers at roadside construction sites are vulnerable to injuries from passing drivers who are disinclined to reduce their speed or keep their focus on the road.

Even the most careful worker and most prudent visitor to a construction site can fall victim to another party’s negligence.

What To Do After A Construction Accident

If you become injured in a construction accident, it can be difficult to know what you need to do to protect your rights as an injury victim. Keep your rights protected by following these simple, but critical steps after a job site accident:

Step one: seek medical attention

Protecting your health should always remain your first priority. Anytime an accident occurs, you must seek immediate medical care for your injuries, no matter how major or minor they seem.

If your company instructs you to get a medical evaluation from a designated company doctor, you will also want to make other arrangements to have your injuries assessed by a doctor of your choosing. Employers and insurance companies cannot force you into accepting care from their designated providers.

Step two: report your injury

Notify your supervisors of your injury and file an accident report as soon as physically possible. Provide as much detail as you can about how, when and where the accident occurred.

If you are asked to sign the incident report or any documents pertaining to the accident, let your attorney review them first. In some cases, employees have signed away their rights without knowing it.

Step three: get documentation

As soon as an injury claim is made, your employer and their insurance company will immediately begin investigating the accident, and so should you. Take pictures of your injuries, the accident site, the surrounding environment and any other variables that may have contributed to it.

Keep copies of any documents or communication you receive from your doctor, employer or insurance company.

Step four: speak with an experienced attorney

Construction accident cases can present many challenges. While most workplace accidents are covered by workers’ compensation, it can limit the type of benefits that are available to you. After an accident, it is essential to get the help of an experienced construction accidents lawyer who will protect your rights throughout the process.

Trusted Legal Guidance For Accident Victims

Our firm represents the rights of accident victims in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

We are skilled negotiators and seasoned trial lawyers who will explore every opportunity to negotiate a fair out-of-court settlement, but are prepared to fight for your rights at trial, when necessary.

Were You Injured On A Job Site? Call Us Today.

Contact our firm online now, or call 301-732-7675 to arrange a consultation today.