Posted by Chip Gentry |
Construction Site Injuries – Protecting You and Your Family after Suffering Serious Harm
The construction industry is a dangerous profession where tens of thousands of serious injuries occur each and every year. Hazardous conditions and a fast paced environment with dozens of employees performing hundreds of jobs simultaneously naturally creates the risk for severe harm. Scaffolding, cranes, ladders, slippery surfaces, heavy machinery, and power tools all present the threat of major injury for those working in the construction field. For example, on July 2, 2018, in our tight knit community of Jefferson City, two employees were injured when one fell on top of the other while working on the new Capital City High School project site. The U.S. Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) opened an investigation into the matter shortly after one of the workers was transported to University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri with serious injuries.
Burns, broken bones, cuts, abrasions and lacerations, and permanent injuries like traumatic brain injuries or paralysis happen every day to the hard working people of the construction industry. The Capital City High School incident is proof that it’s not only the workers and employees performing jobs high above the ground that are at risk for serious injury. While the employee who fell from a height of approximately 10 to 12 feet was hurt, the more severe injuries were sustained by the worker that employee landed on. Hard hats can protect employees from falling tools like a hammer or wrench, or smaller objects like screws or nails, but are unable protect workers from heavier objects like rebar and structural steel or concrete.
The July 2 fall was the first of its kind on the Capital City High School project, but it likely won’t be the last. Luckily, the injured employee is expected to make a full recovery, but he will likely miss weeks or even months of work. In addition, construction site injuries often require painful medical treatment and rehabilitative therapy leading to expensive medical bills. While many general contractors and subcontractors have workers compensation insurance for when workers get hurt, often times there isn’t enough money to adequately compensate the injured employee and their family for the harm they suffered.
Our firm is highly experienced in handling construction site injury cases. We take pride in assisting injured victims and their families through the complex legal process, and value the opportunity to provide comfort and guidance along the way. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 states that all construction workers have the right to work on a safe jobsite. Employers care about their workers safety, but they also care about meeting deadlines and cutting costs. Your health and your family’s well-being shouldn’t suffer at the hands of corporate profits, unreasonable schedules, or unsafe working conditions. If you or a loved one was injured on the jobsite, we would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. The Call & Gentry Team is here to help.