Construction Site Accidents Attorneys
Because of the very nature of the work, construction workers face a higher risk of accidents and injury than the average industrial employee.
What is an accident?
An accident is an undesirable, unplanned event that results in personal physical harm or damage to property. An accident may be the result of an unsafe act, such as not wearing a respirator properly, or the result of an unsafe condition, such as a dangerous atmospheric composition of gases. These situations can be related, since an individual's unsafe act can result in an unsafe condition for someone else.
Preventing Accidents
The two main approaches to reducing or preventing accidents are: eliminating unsafe conditions and reducing unsafe acts.
Eliminate Unsafe Conditions
People must be aware of conditions that can contribute to an accident and then work to remove exposure to these conditions. Examples may include enclosing live electrical circuits or providing workers with the proper protective equipment. Of course, it is difficult to eliminate all unsafe conditions, and it's even more difficult to predict or anticipate where such conditions may exist or develop on construction jobs involving lead.
Unforeseen Hazards
Sometimes, even the safety equipment a construction worker wears can pose potential problems. The personal protective equipment worn to reduce lead exposures or exposures to other hazardous materials can in turn increase accident potential by:
- Reducing dexterity
- Narrowing the field of vision and clarity
- Reducing communication and hearing capabilities
- Increasing heat stress
Reduce Unsafe Acts
Each worker must make a conscious effort to work safely despite the hazardous conditions that may exist at any site. A high degree of safety awareness and training must be maintained so that the safety factors involved in a job become an actual part of the job. By being conscious of the task you are performing, the environment in which it is being performed, as well as how you are going to actually perform the task, you will be capable of identifying potential hazards that may cause you to act in an unsafe manner.
General Safety
Safety is the condition of being secure from hurt, injury, or loss. Therefore, to be safe, you act in two ways, Proactively and Reactively. When you act proactively, you anticipate problems before they occur and take steps to make sure accidents don't happen. When you act reactively, you are responding to problems after they occur. Workers are best protected when they act proactively.
Essential Links
In the aftermath of a tragic construction site accident, hiring a personal injury lawyer may not be your top priority. Your health and family’s well being should be your main concern. But while the injured party is receiving initial medical treatment, chances are, the negligent parties have notified their lawyers and insurance company of the accident. Every insurance company has a team of adjusters, investigators and attorneys whose primary responsibility is to limit the liability of the insurance company and minimize the amount of money to be paid to injured parties. Often, victims are bombarded with paperwork and critical evidence is destroyed immediately following an accident.
If you have been injured as a result of the carelessness or negligence of another, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. For a free review of your construction site accident claim please fill out the form below. An experienced personal injury lawyer will review your claim and may contact you to discuss your legal rights. There is no charge or obligation for this free evaluation.
