What Kinds of Negligence can Result in Construction Site Falls?
by
Gabriel Levin on Jan. 07, 2015
Accident & Injury Accident & Injury Personal Injury Accident & Injury Slip & Fall Accident
Summary: The construction industry is notoriously dangerous and construction work consistently ranks among the most dangerous jobs that a person can have.
The construction industry is notoriously dangerous and construction work consistently ranks among the most dangerous jobs that a person can have. For anyone who has visited an active construction site, this probably comes as no surprise. Construction sites are often loud and busy places often with hundreds of people taking materials from place to place and operating heavy machinery. In addition, because the structures being built are under construction, they often have unfinished walls or floors that can result in open and unsecured heights.
The Center for Construction Research and Training reports that more than 10,000 construction workers are seriously injured in falls each year.1 While many workplace accidents will be covered under the state worker’s compensation program, there are some situations in which they may not.2 Consequently, it is important for anyone injured in a construction site fall to discuss their options with an experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Construction site falls can occur for a variety of reasons
There are many reasons a worker or visitor to a construction site may fall, including his or her own negligence or clumsiness. Regardless of the apparent reason for a fall, any accident resulting in serious injury warrants further investigation. In some cases, a party’s negligence that caused or contributed to a fall may not be readily apparent to an untrained eye.3 Among the most common reasons for construction site falls that may be the result of negligence include:
- Inadequate training
- Faulty scaffolding
- Open holes
- Faulty safety equipment
- Employee misconduct
- Defective ladders
- Defective roofs
- Faulty aerial lifts
- Defective or missing guardrails
- Defective machinery
After an injury-causing fall, victims should be certain to seek medical attention as soon as possible. In some cases, the injuries associated with a fall will not become symptomatic for hours or even days after an injury. In others, a seemingly minor injury can later develop serious complications if left untreated. Seeking medical attention will ensure that your injuries are properly identified and also that you receive the treatment you need. Additionally, your medical provider will generate an official record that can help establish legal liability in the event that your claim becomes contested. Finally, as soon as you are able, you should contact an experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to retain legal representation.
The Levin Firm
1500 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 620
Philadelphia, PA 19102
https://www.levininjuryfirm.com/philadelphia-construction-site-accident-lawyer/
References:
1 http://stopconstructionfalls.com/
2 http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/workers%27_compensation/10386
3 http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/negligence
