Fayetteville, AR Construction Work Injury Lawyer

Construction workers are required to perform highly demanding tasks. Duties, like operating heavy machinery, working at high altitudes, and working at roadside construction sites, can be extremely dangerous. Construction site injuries are often serious and can leave a worker sidelined and unable to continue working. A serious injury may leave you feeling helpless when you have to pay medical bills and any other bills that you are responsible for.

If you or a family member was injured while performing work at a construction site, you should speak with an experienced injury lawyer. Fayetteville, AR construction work injury lawyer Ken Kieklak can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Our law firm has dedicated over 20 years to helping construction workers in Fayetteville, AR file their injury cases and would be honored to help you. To schedule a free consultation, call us at (479) 316-0438 or contact us online.

Common Causes of Construction Site Injuries

Every year, hundreds of construction workers sustain fatal injuries while working. In 2016, there were 4,693 worker fatalities in the private sector for all industries, 991 of those employees were construction workers. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), that averages to about 21.1% or one in five worker deaths in the construction industry.

Construction worker fatalities are high because of various hazards present at a typical construction site. Construction sites may have wires scattered across the floor or power tools left in places where they could fall and strike other workers. Here are some common causes of construction accidents:

• Slip and falls
• Electrocutions
• Struck by falling objects
• Caught-in/between machinery or equipment
• Defective equipment
• Burns
• Toxic chemicals or substances
• Explosions
• Crane accidents
• Inadequate safety precautions

Prevention is likely the best method to ensure that injuries do not occur at a construction site. This can require well-executed safety precautions and employees who are well trained.

Safety Tips to Prevent Construction Injuries

With adequate precautions, many construction injuries can be prevented. OSHA offers various methods for making a construction site safer for employees. For example, scaffolding injuries may be avoided by building scaffolding that is strong and capable of carrying its own weight, plus four times the maximum intended load, without any shifts. Scaffolding accidents account for approximately 4,500 injuries and 50 fatalities to construction workers each year.

Stairways and ladder hazards account for nearly 25,000 injuries and 36 fatalities per year. OSHA estimates that about half of these injuries required a worker to take time off work. Stairway and ladder accidents can be avoided by:

• Cleaning stairway treads and walkways of dangerous objects
• Resolving slippery conditions on stairways and walkways
• Using the right ladder for the job
• Inspecting ladders for any defects which can cause an injury

Employers can also prevent injuries by outfitting employees with proper equipment. The type of work an employee is performing should dictate the type of equipment an employer should provide. For example, a worker that is working with toxic chemicals should be given protective gear like goggles, a breathing mask, and gloves.

Common Types of Injuries from Construction Work

Due to the wide range of functions that construction workers are expected to perform, they are often subject to many different types of injuries. This is not surprising, considering that construction workers must learn to use heavy machinery or transportation vehicles and may lack the training they need. Here are some of the most common injuries that occur at a construction site:

• Cuts and scrapes
• Burns
• Amputations
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Lower Back Injuries
• Chemical burns
• Repetitive Stress Injuries
• Paralysis

If you suffer one of these injuries or another injury at a construction site, it is important to notify your employer and seek medical attention as quickly as possible.

Workers’ Compensation Claims for Construction Injuries

If you suffer an injury while working at a construction site, you should seek immediate medical attention and notify your employer as soon as possible.

To qualify for Workers’ Compensation, you must be able to show that you were injured in the course of your employment and that you were working at the time of the injury. Next, you must show that your injury was a direct result of working or that working aggravated a pre-existing condition. The mere fact that you were at work when your injury occurred is not enough to successfully claim Workers’ Compensation. Finally, you must show that you sustained an actual loss because of your injury. An actual loss can be a wage loss, a loss of function, or the cost of medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Injured workers who are approved for Workers’ Compensation can receive medical benefits and wage loss benefits. Filing for Workers’ Compensation will bar you from filing a personal lawsuit against your employer, but you may still be able to sue liable third parties for your injuries.

Additionally, there is a time limit for filing a workman’s compensation claim. For more information on these time limits and your rights in an injury case against your employer, you should speak with an experienced workplace injury attorney.

Fayetteville, AR Construction Injury Attorney Offering Free Consultations

If you or a family member has been seriously injured at a construction site, you should talk to an attorney about your claim. Fayetteville, AR construction injury attorney Ken Kieklak can help you claim workers’ comp. benefits for your injury. Ken Kieklak will work diligently to ensure that you get the money you need. To schedule a free consultation, call us at (479) 316-0438.