5 Things You Need to Know About Fall Injuries on Construction Sites

August 2, 2022 | Workers' Compensation

Construction sites are known as one of the most dangerous work environments in the United States. Road construction sites are known for car crashes caused by careless drivers, and building construction sites are always at risk of malfunctioning machinery and poor safety protocols. Falls are one of the most common types of accidents on construction sites, costing the industry millions of dollars every year.

If you’ve been hurt in a construction site fall, contact the team at Pisegna & Zimmerman, LLC now. Our firm is Virtual Ready, making your life more convenient with Zoom meetings and DocuSign form preparation. Call us at 818-888-8888 to get started.

Construction Site Falls Can Be Fatal for Workers

Data shows that falls are extremely dangerous for construction workers. Not only is the construction industry for one in five workplace deaths, falls are responsible for more than one-third of all construction deaths. The vast majority of those were the result of falls to a lower level. If you look at all of 2020’s fatal falls, slips, and trips in the workplace, nearly half of the fatalities came from the construction industry.

Non-Fatal Injuries Can Still Be Very Serious

Even if a construction worker is lucky enough to survive a fall, they are still at grave risk of serious injuries. Some of the most commonly reported injuries after a fall include broken bones, deep abrasions, infections caused by cuts and exposure to debris, spinal cord damage, and traumatic brain injuries.

Falls Are Far More Common in Construction Than in Other Industries

Falls are such a significant problem in this field that the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has started the National Campaign to Prevent Falls in Construction. This program aligns NIOSH with OSHA. Data from OSHA shows that planning ahead can prevent many falls and improve overall workplace safety for construction workers.

Falls Are Often Preventable

OSHA puts it as frankly as possible, stating “These deaths [caused by falls] are preventable.” In the vast majority of cases, falls could have been prevented with a little bit of foresight and planning. When construction projects are running behind and foremen are pushing workers to get back on schedule, injuries are inevitable.

One of the most common causes of falls is uncontrolled debris on a work site. Building materials, power tools, electrical cords, grease, sawdust, and other items can make it hard to see obstacles, increasing the likelihood of a fall. Workers can also trip on many of these items and take a tumble. Falls also increase in snowy, rainy, and icy weather. In inclement weather conditions, it’s even more important for supervisors to take employees’ safety seriously and implement strict safety protocols.

Issues in the work site itself may also lead to falls and trips. Uneven ground, hastily built walkways, and potholes can all trip up unsuspecting workers. On a similar note, incomplete buildings with partially constructed elements may also pose a fall risk. A home with partial built stairs, floors, and walls could lead to worker falls.

You Can File a Workers’ Compensation Claim After a Fall

Workers’ compensation exists precisely for situations like this one. It doesn’t matter who caused your fall or if no one at all is to blame. When you file a workers’ compensation claim, you don’t have to prove fault to get medical coverage and partial income replacement. It’s important to report your injury to your site supervisor immediately so they can look at the site of the fall and prevent further injuries. This also gives them the chance to document it so you can begin your claim.

Depending on the circumstances of your fall, you may even be able to pursue a personal injury claim. This is only an option if a third party was liable for your fall and subsequent injuries. If the negligent party was your employer or someone employed by your company, you cannot pursue a personal injury claim. With a personal injury case, you can seek pain and suffering in addition to your medical expenses and lost wages.

Choose Pisegna & Zimmerman, LLC for Your Workers’ Comp Claim

Call our law firm NOW at 818-888-8888 to set up your free initial consultation, or fill out this contact form so one of our team members can reach out to you. With our Virtual Ready setup, we’re prepared to meet with you over Zoom and send over documents to sign via DocuSign. If it’s easier to meet in person, we can also come to you and talk about your case.