A fall at a construction site can result in catastrophic injuries with life-changing consequences. If you fall on the job as a construction worker in Florence, you might struggle to recover from your injuries, miss work, and wonder how you will pay your unexpected medical bills.
At Jebaily Law Firm, our Florence construction site fall attorneys want to help you navigate the complex legal process, so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. Contact us today for a free case review to learn how we can fight for the compensation you deserve.
Construction Accident Fall Statistics
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), falls are the leading cause of construction work-related deaths in the United States. In a recent 10-year period, there was a staggering 25 percent increase in U.S. workers employed in construction. As more workers enter the construction industry, more accidents occur. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that the construction industry sees the highest rates of occupational fatalities right here in South Carolina, too.
Fall Hazards on Construction Sites in Florence, SC
Fall hazards on construction sites in Florence, South Carolina, can include anything that could cause a worker to lose their balance and result in a fall. Any surface you walk or work on could be a potential fall hazard on a construction site. Fall protection safety equipment is required when the fall distance is six feet or greater. Examples of fall hazards include open skylights, shoddy scaffolding, collapsing trenches, and a lack of fall protection on roofs.
Effects of a Construction Site Fall
The effects of a construction site fall can be devastating. Common effects of construction site falls include:
- Injuries – Some common injuries sustained in construction site falls include fractures, internal bleeding, blunt-force head trauma, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, back injuries, joint damage, and others.
- Fatal falls – Falls remain the most common cause of death on construction sites. Fatal falls can be prevented by using the proper safety equipment.
- Loss of income – Due to the potential severity of injuries from construction site falls, many workers must take time off work while recovering.
- Disability – A construction site fall accident could leave you unable to work due to disabilities. If you are permanently disabled due to a fall, you should contact a lawyer who can evaluate your options for compensation through a workers’ comp claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Who Pays for Injuries from a Construction Site Fall?
Depending on how your construction site fall occurred, you could be entitled to compensation through various claims.
If your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance, the insurance company should pay benefits related to your fall regardless of who was at fault. The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act provides for medical benefits, partial replacement of lost wages, and disability payments for workers injured on the job. The amount of compensation you can get depends on your average weekly wages before your fall, the extent of your injuries related to the fall, and your ability to continue working.
If your fall and resulting injuries were caused by a non-employer third party on the construction site, you might have grounds for an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against them. For example, a subcontractor or vendor on the construction site that contributed to or caused your fall could be liable for your injuries.
A Florence construction site fall attorney at Jebaily Law Firm can advise you on your options to pursue compensation from every available source.
Types of Compensation for Workers Injured in Construction Site Falls
Workers who fall on construction sites in Florence, South Carolina, can suffer life-changing injuries. If you were hurt in a construction site fall, you might have one or more of the following claims:
Workers’ compensation
You could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if you were injured in a fall on the job and your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance. In South Carolina, businesses that regularly employ four or more employees must have workers’ comp insurance. Regardless of who was to blame for the accident, workers’ comp benefits can cover:
- Payment of all related medical expenses,
- Partial replacement of lost wages
- Death benefits
Personal injury
If a third party – someone other than your co-worker or employer – caused you to fall, you might be entitled to compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Compensation in a successful third-party personal injury claim could provide coverage of damages that go beyond workers’ comp benefits, including:
- Medical expenses
- Full payment of lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished future earning capacity,
- Reduced quality of life
Product liability
If your fall was due to defective equipment, such as a faulty ladder that gave out under your weight, you could have a product liability claim against its manufacturer. A successful product liability claim could provide compensation for the full extent of losses in the same way as other third-party personal injury cases.
Preventing Falls on Construction Sites
Because fall accidents on construction sites remain the leading cause of injury and death in the construction industry, OSHA recommends the following fall-prevention tips:
- Planning to perform the work safely – OSHA cautions employers to prioritize the safety of their workers when planning projects. This includes determining how a job will be done, breaking down what tasks are necessary to complete it, and deciding what safety equipment is needed.
- Providing safety equipment – OSHA says employers should provide the necessary safety equipment at each construction site and include the cost of such equipment in their initial estimates for the work.
- Training workers on the equipment – Employers should also ensure all workers have adequate training to set up and use the heavy equipment on a construction site so employees are better equipped to recognize and avoid fall hazards.
Contact Our Florence Construction Accident Lawyers
The Florence construction accident lawyers at Jebaily Law Firm are ready to help you after an on-the-job injury. We can answer your questions and handle every aspect of your workers’ comp claim or personal injury lawsuit. Contact us today to learn more in a free consultation.
