Protecting Your Future Following A Construction Accident

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), over 20 percent of work-place fatalities occur in construction. Approximately 800 workers a year die, and thousands are injured as a result of construction accidents. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that construction accident rates are almost three times that of any other occupation. This rate, makes construction work one of the most dangerous careers in the United States.

Now that you know your risks, do you know what to do in case you’re injured in a construction accident?

Construction Accident Dos and Don’ts

Workplace accidents can be extremely scary, especially when heavy machinery, extreme heights, and jagged metal are concerned. Make sure you know what to do following an accident to protect your rights.

Post-accident guidelines include:

Dos

• Get help: Make sure you take care of your injury above everything or everyone else. Although you may want to instinctively help your friends, if you’re severely injured, you may cause more harm than good to both yourself and the friends you’re trying to help. This is especially true when it comes to head injuries, as you could potentially pass out, making the situation worse for any helpers.
• File a report: Once the immediate danger of your injury is addressed, make sure you notify your superior of the accident. When you are stable and able to do so, file an incident report with the time and date, and a detailed description of the accident. This will provide you with valid documentation for your insurance company, as well as to pursue a workers’ compensation claim.
• Contact a lawyer: Insurance companies can be brutal when it comes to work injury claims. Don’t allow them to take advantage of you. Speak with an experienced work injury attorney to make sure you get the treatment compensation and benefits you deserve.

Don’ts

• Don’t assume the injury is minor: Even small accidents can cause major injury. A simple tap on the head can lead to brain damage, while a small cut could lead to sepsis. Make sure you seek proper medical assistance for even the smallest of accidents, because you shouldn’t gamble your health on an assumption.
• Don’t keep working: Continuing to work when you’re in pain or injured can cause you to lose focus, mobility and strength. Not only can this affect your work, but it can cause you to lose control, compromise your safety, and could cause your initial injury to worsen.
• Don’t allow your employer to deny your insurance claim: Although filing an injury claim can be confusing, with the proper support and guidance of a good lawyer, your employer will take your accident seriously.

Building a Safer Workplace

Given the potential risks involved, do you think construction sites should be forced to have increased safety measures for its workers? Should employers provide specific safety training? Should employers offer additional injury insurance to their workers? Do you think OSHA should pay more attention to construction sites and safety?

Let us know your thoughts by leaving your opinions, concerns, and questions in the comment section. Need more information about workplace injury safety or claims? Contact us directly for a free consultation.