When a construction accident occurs, you may be searching for answers. You may wonder, “What are my legal options?” Well, if you or a loved one were injured at a construction site, read on. Here you’ll find statistics about construction accidents in the United States as well as an insight into construction accident lawsuits, commonly referred to as personal injury claims.

Construction Accidents in the United States

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1.1% of construction workers each year suffer an injury serious enough that they miss work.

The construction industry accounts for nearly 6% of all injuries that result in lost days of work, and injury and illness rates in construction were 24% higher than the average of all other industries in 2020. In the same year, there were 174,100 cases of injuries in the construction sector, alone.

A study conducted by the Center for Construction Research and Training showed that more than 25% of construction workers surveyed have noted they failed to report a work-related injury. Why?

Perhaps they are unsure what the repercussions would be. Perhaps they think no one can help. The truth is, construction accidents are common, and they should always be reported.

Who is Affected by Construction Accidents?

Construction accidents affect a large group of people—those injured, their families, and their employers. The injuries affect people throughout the industry, regardless of their construction specialty. And, injuries happen to people of all ages—more years on the job does not preclude you from injury. However, the National Safety Council reports that those aged 25-34 were the most likely to sustain an injury on the job.

In addition to affecting those injured, their families, and their employers, The Midwest Economic Policy Instituteestimates that fatal injuries as a result of construction accidents cost the United States $5 billion each year once you’ve incorporated costs from health care, lost income, reduced quality of life for surviving families, and lost production.

There is not one sector of construction that is exempt from these injuries. Everyone who works with ladders, scaffolding, electrical, and every job in between are affected. Injuries sustained can range from exposure to asbestos, electrocution, explosions, and more.

Construction Accident Lawsuits

While construction safety changes for the better every year, there are still many preventable construction accidents. It’s imperative that employers double down on safety requirements, policies, and procedures and that their employees are properly trained on all sites and equipment.

In tragic cases when accidents do arise, the injured should seek legal advice from an attorney who is well-versed in construction accidents and personal injury law. If the construction lawsuit is successful, the injured may be entitled to compensation. This can help offset medical bills or loss of income.

If the injury resulted in death, the surviving family is entitled to a consultation for a wrongful death matter. In a wrongful death case, the plaintiff alleges that another party’s wrongful conduct caused someone’s death. These cases are time-sensitive due to the statute of limitations. If your family has encountered this situation, we recommend you act quickly.

Your Legal Options — Construction Accidents and Work Injuries

To be successful in a personal injury claim, the skilled attorney is responsible for providing the burden of proof that negligence occurred. This is proven using a four-prong test where the following categories are considered: duty, breach, causation, and damages.

At Hurley McKenna & Mertz, we offer free consultations to victims of construction accidents, as well as their families.

A sample of our successes include:

$20,000,000 | Work Injury | Product Liability

Verdict in a work injury/product liability case ($10 million in compensatory damages, $10 million in punitive damages) against PACCAR, Inc., the manufacturer of Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks, for a man, injured at work when the hood of his employer-supplied PACCAR truck unexpectedly blew over onto his head after his truck broke down. Plaintiff lost his right eye in the incident but was ultimately able to return to work.

$1,140,000 | Construction Accidents | Product Liability
Verdict in a construction accident/product liability case for a carpenter whose index finger was amputated by a defective Delta table saw. A flaw in the extension table caused the piece being cut to jam and force the plaintiff’s hand into the spinning blade. Tried in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

For more information or to book a free consultation today, please contact our office.