Key Takeaways
- Common construction injuries include falls, head trauma, burns, and crush injuries, ranging from minor cuts to lasting neurological deficits or death.
- Site hazards include scaffolding, falling items, mechanical malfunctions, uneven surfaces, inadequate signage, chemicals, and enclosed spaces, and OSHA guidance is not always followed.
- Items falling from higher levels can cause concussions and traumatic brain injuries, which is one reason hard hats are required in many work zones.
- Burns can come from corrosive chemicals, welding or soldering heat, and electrical wiring, while machinery or falling debris can cause crush injuries.
- Brain or crush injuries may require ongoing rehabilitation or round-the-clock care and can end a person’s ability to work in their field.
Construction sites are notoriously dangerous, whether from half-built structures or dangerous tools. At Paulson Coletti, our Portland construction injury lawyer is familiar with common injuries and how they can affect liability. If a construction accident has injured you, you may be eligible for compensation for your injuries.
Contact Our Portland Construction Accident Lawyer
Hazards of a Construction Site
Construction sites are known to be dangerous, often posing threats to people’s safety and well-being, whether they are workers or just passers-by. While some regulatory agencies like OSHA provide guidance on keeping workers and visitors safe, these are not always followed appropriately. Some of the hazards on a worksite that cause injury can include:
- Scaffolding
- Falling items
- Mechanical malfunctions
- Uneven surfaces
- Inadequate signage
- Corrosive or combustible chemicals
- Enclosed spaces
Employers who fail to follow or enforce the federally mandated safety guidelines can injure workers and other undeserving people.
“At Paulson Coletti, ‘liberty and justice for all’ is more than just a phrase – it is our mandate. Our team of trial lawyers is driven to pursue justice for the injured, ensuring that the responsible parties are held accountable. Whether your case settles or goes to trial, you can trust our Oregon personal injury lawyers to be the legal advocates you need so your voice can be heard.”
Injuries from a Construction Accident
Construction accident injuries will vary depending on the mechanism of injury or the type of site. Injuries may be minor, including a small cut that can be cleaned and bandaged with no other complications, or maybe as severe as lasting neurological deficits or death.
Falls
Fall injuries in a construction site may be the result of a trip over uneven surfaces, a slip on wet or slick floors, or even a fall from scaffolding. The resulting injuries can be significant, including:
- Head injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Sprains and strains
Head Trauma or Bodily Impact
Hard hats are required in many active work zones for important reasons. These include the fact that people working on higher levels may drop something, or items and debris may fall. If these hit your head or body, it can cause significant damage. Some examples of these injuries include:
- Bruises, lacerations
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
Burns
Nearly every construction site is home to at least one mechanism that can cause a burn injury. Corrosive or caustic chemicals can cause painful or even disfiguring chemical burns. Heating sources that may be used for soldering or welding can cause thermal burns, and electrical wiring may cause electrical burns.
Crush Injuries
Many types of accidents can cause crush injuries to a person. Falling debris may land on a body part, pinning the person in place and crushing extremities or even the head or torso. In extreme situations, equipment malfunction or operator negligence may cause an individual to become caught or crushed in or between machinery and another structure. These can cause lasting injuries such as:
- Head trauma
- Facial and dental injuries
- Skull fracture or other broken bones
- Organ damage
Effects of Construction Injuries
A construction site injury may have you a little sore and sent home early to rest, while some may completely alter your life path. Injuries like traumatic brain injuries or crush injuries can leave you requiring ongoing medical and support services. These may include:
- Rehabilitative services like occupational therapy
- Arthritis, seizures, affect disorders
- Loss of the ability to work in your field
- Daily or around-the-clock care
“Most cases settle, but each of our cases is prepared as if it’s going to trial. The insurance companies know it and so do the defense lawyers defending them. That’s why we get such great results for our clients.”
Once your initial injuries heal, you may still deal with the lasting consequences of someone else’s negligence. These common injuries can often be prevented by simply following safety guidelines that are required by law.