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Construction Worksite Fall Accidents

Construction workers have one of the most hazardous jobs in the entire world. In the United States, around 21% of all deaths in the workplace happen to workers in the construction industry. With power tools, overcrowded job sites, heavy machinery and numerous other dangerous conditions, it is not surprising that so many construction workers get severely injured or even die.

In 2017, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), construction-related falls accounted for almost 40% (381 out of 971 workers) of the construction industry’s fatality count. Deaths caused by falls on construction worksites are only a fraction of the 10,000 plus construction workers that endure tragic injuries from falling yearly. While every fall may not be completely avoidable even with the necessary safety gear and appropriate on the job training, unfortunately many contractors and big construction companies simply take hazardous shortcuts to save on both time and money. In 2018, fall protection in the construction industry (29 CFR 1926.501) was one of the top cited OSHA violations. 

Frequently Occurring Construction Site Falls 

Falls that occur at construction sites are generally separated into two different categories. The first is falls that happen at the same height. The second is when someone falls from a higher level. Most falls at construction sites involve either ladders or scaffolding. Construction workers often put themselves in unsteady positions at high heights when using scaffolds and ladders. Some of the most frequent reasons that construction workers fall include:

  • Using ladders improperly
  • Using damaged ladders that cannot support the workers weight
  • Failing to have a ground spotter to hold the ladder
  • Failing trash and other materials
  • Inadequate scaffolding
  • Construction vehicles backing into the base of a ladder or scaffold
  • Slipping or falling
  • Worker error
  • Inadequate training
  • Holes in the floor or walls that have no warning signs

Frequently Occurring Construction Worksite Injuries 

Even from relatively low height construction falls can result in severe injuries or death. Most ladder and scaffolding falls occur at heights of roughly 8-12 feet. While that might not sound high enough to cause harm, failing from even modest heights can still cause devastating spine and/or brain injuries.

Construction site falls can cause victims to suffer acute injuries including:

  • Head injuries
  • Broken or badly fractured bones
  • Back and neck injuries
  • Spine injuries
  • Total paralysis
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Permanent disability

While most serious injuries are detected at the time of the fall, some injuries take days or even weeks to be noticeable. Undetected injuries can be some of the most dangerous because bleeding and inflammation can greatly affect the brain or spinal cord.

Do you Require that Representation of a Skilled Construction Site Fall Lawyer?

If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction fall, we recommend hiring a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer to represent you. Gordon J. Glover, who has been recognized by Florida Super Lawyers, is dedicated to ensuring that clients receive the highest possible compensation for their injuries.

Our Ocala personal injury lawyers recognize that construction fall accidents often cause severe injuries or even death. We will take prompt action to properly investigate the fall scene, determine liability, and file a lawsuit to maintain your rights. There may be numerous parties, such as contractors, subcontractors, property owners, supervisors, manufacturers of defective equipment or property owners that can be held liable to fall victims.

Please contact us online or call today at our Villages office (352) 205-4495 or Ocala office 352-484-0775, to further discuss your construction fall accident further.

Resources:

osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.501

osha.gov/oshstats/commonstats.html

.imectechnologies.com/2018/07/30/construction-safety-21-of-all-work-deaths-in-the-us-were-in-construction/

https://www.gloverlawfirm.com/u-haul-accidents/

Gordon Glover

Attorney Gordon Glover is the founder of the Glover Law Firm Accident & Injury Lawyer in Ocala and The Villages, Florida. He has an AV-rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating as determined by other attorneys and the judiciary. Gordon has been recognized by Florida Super Lawyers, a distinction given to less than 2.5 % of the lawyers in Florida, and earned AVVO’s highest rating of “Superb 10/10.” Glover Law Firm also has a perfect A+ rating on the BBB (Better Business Bureau).