Construction Site
Lancaster PA Construction Accident Lawyer
As a construction worker or independent contractor, you know your job can be risky. That’s why you do everything in your power to stay safe. But unfortunately, construction accidents can happen no matter how many safety precautions you take. If you’ve been injured while working on a construction site, you need an experienced attorney on your side. A Lancaster construction accident lawyer at Haggerty & Silverman will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Construction Site Fatalities and Injuries
According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, fatalities resulting from construction accidents accounted for 20% of all workplace deaths in 2014. The four most common causes of construction site deaths are falls, electrocutions, struck by object and caught-in/between. These four accidents made up 58.1% of all construction worker deaths in 2014. Other construction accidents that may cause injuries or death include:
- crane & scaffolding accidents
- trench collapses
- fires & explosions
- welding & brazing accidents
- unsafe & dangerous equipment
- structure failure
- building collapse
- nail gun accidents
- supervisor negligence
- logging accidents
Asbestos
Construction workers may be exposed to asbestos while working on older buildings. Asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma, a type of cancer that forms on the tissue lining the lungs and abdomen.
According to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation:
- Between 14 and 30 people out of every million will be affected by mesothelioma each year in the United States
- Men are four times more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma than women
- 2,000 to 3,000 new mesothelioma cases are diagnosed each year in the US
- Symptoms may not arise until 25 and sometimes 50 years following the initial asbestos exposure
Aerial Lift and Scissor Lift Accidents
According to the Center for Construction Research and Training, about 26 construction workers die each year from aerial lift and scissor lift accidents. Most of these fatalities happen because of unsafe conditions such as:
- operating on uneven surfaces
- encountering drop-offs while in operation
- leaning over rail
- overloading
- coming in contact with electrical conductors
- not using braces
- inexperienced operators
Trench Collapses and Excavation Cave-Ins
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, between 2000 and 2006, 271 workers died in a trench collapse accident or excavation cave-in. Trench collapses and excavation cave-ins are commonly caused by:
- loose rock or soil
- inadequate fall protection
- stability of adjacent structures
- water accumulation
- exposure to falling loads
- exposure to vehicular traffic
Construction Accident Lawyer in Lancaster, PA
You and your coworkers trust that the construction sites on which you work are safe. You also trust that the equipment you use is safe. When unsafe working conditions cause injuries or death, it is devastating. Wrongdoers who violate safety standards need to be held accountable for their negligence. The attorneys at Haggerty & Silverman will fight to hold negligent parties responsible for their actions. This can lead to stricter safety standards and improved working conditions.
Suffering an injury at work can be a traumatic experience. If you are a construction worker who was injured on the job, a Lancaster construction accident lawyer will protect your rights. You should focus on healing and let an attorney handle all legal matters. Contact Haggerty & Silverman at 717-397-3200 or fill out our contact form online for a free consultation. You can meet with our construction injury attorneys at our Lancaster, PA office.