Common Injuries on Construction Sites
In 2022, The Palmetto State was home to 132 fatal occupational injuries, 24 of which were attributed to the construction industry. Given that construction accounts for one in five worker fatalities each year, workers put their lives on the line each day they report for duty. Although OSHA has put safety regulations in place to mitigate the dangers to workers, construction is an industry plagued with a host of dangers.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury on a construction site, our Greenville construction accident lawyers are ready to provide you with legal aid.
Head Injuries
A head injury can be caused by any blow, strike, or bump to the head, disrupting normal brain function. More commonly known as a traumatic brain injury (TBI), in a recent eight-year period, over 2,200 construction workers lost their lives to a TBI. Even more frightening, research has shown that construction workers 65 years of age or older were four times more likely to suffer a fatal TBI compared to younger workers.
A TBI may be either a closed injury (the oscillation of the brain within the skull causing damage to brain tissue) or an open injury (caused by an object penetrating the skull). Symptoms of a TBI may include confusion, disorientation, memory loss, mood swings, and loss of consciousness.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury is often debilitating, resulting in numbness, tingling, and paralysis. An estimated 50% of workplace spinal cord injuries occur in construction, typically from falling from a ladder or scaffolding. Many of these injuries are completely preventable with proper safety training.
Cardiac Arrest
Construction workers are at high risk of meeting overhead power lines, live circuits, and poorly maintained power cords. Any direct connection between your body and an electrical current can result in being electrocuted. There are many risks of being electrocuted, including severe burns and cardiac arrest. It is important to make sure that a wire is properly grounded to avoid the risk of electrocution.
Fractures
Whether it be a construction worker struck by debris, falling from a height, or caught in between two objects, approximately 10,000 construction workers experience broken bones each year. Often completely preventable, a fracture can take a worker off the job anywhere from six to eight weeks. Symptoms often include pain, swelling, and an inability to move the affected limb.
Burns
Burn injuries are rated based on severity, with third-degree burns penetrating to the lower layers of skin, causing them to potentially be life-threatening. Given that your nerve endings are often impacted, a third-degree burn victim may not experience any pain. Burns can result in organ failure and are often the result of exposure to hazardous chemicals and electric shock. Symptoms of a burn often involve pain, blisters, and peeling skin. In severe cases, a person may experience dehydration, clammy skin, and organ failure.
A Construction Accident Lawyer Devoted to Your Wellness
At Fulton & Barr Attorneys at Law, our team of experienced attorneys is dedicated to helping construction workers acquire the financial assistance they need following a work site accident. We take the time to understand the circumstances behind your injuries, speaking with witnesses to formulate a clear picture of what happened.
Our Greenville construction accident lawyers can advise you on how to handle your medical bills while you are waiting for your claim to be approved. We will negotiate with healthcare providers and hospitals on your behalf, allowing you to focus on your health. We can also assist you in making claims with your health insurance while you wait for insurance to pay your claim.
Injured? Contact Our Greenville Construction Accident Lawyers Now
A construction accident can be incapacitating, leaving you unable to provide for your family. At Fulton & Barr Attorneys at Law, our Greenville construction accident lawyers are adamant about helping construction workers get the compensation they need to move forward. If you sustained an injury on a job site, do not hesitate to contact us to arrange your free consultation. Our firm can be reached online or by phone.