This is a brief guide to keeping yourself safe and protected if you are a worker within the construction industry. Construction is an industry that comes with slightly higher risks of injuries and accidents than many other professional spaces. We will look at some common construction site injuries, their causes, and how best to avoid them.
Moreover, we will talk about what to do if you have been involved in a construction injury. A good lawyer could help you to seek compensation for any damages you have suffered. Finally, we will look at the process of healing after a serious workplace accident.
Common Construction Industry Accidents
Due to the nature of construction work, including the need to climb to great heights, move heavy objects, operate machinery, and work in unstable structures, there are many injuries that commonly occur on site. According to expert construction accident lawyers in New York, some of the most common construction industry accidents include broken and fractured bones, traumatic brain injuries, back and neck injuries, soft tissue injuries, and crush injuries, among others. Some of these injuries can be incredibly serious and leave people with lifelong damage to their mental and physical health.
Causes of Injuries on Construction Sites
One of the most common reasons that injuries occur on construction sites is that the site is not well managed. This means that staff does not have adequate safety equipment, has not been trained well enough to use the construction tools safely, or the site has been neglected and proper upkeep has not been maintained.
When a site is not properly managed, many accidents can occur. For instance, falling objects might be more likely. Or, there may be scaffolding mishaps due to negligence. What’s more, if people are driving heavy machinery, such as bulldozers or excavators, without sufficient training, there can be serious injuries.
Other common causes of injuries on construction sites include falling off ladders, roof or ceiling collapses, electrocutions or people being trapped between items. When accidents like these occur, it is generally due to the negligence or recklessness of a business, manager, or worker on site.
How to Avoid Injuries at Work
So, when it comes to keeping safe on-site, it is important to refuse to work in unsafe or poorly-managed areas. Insist on using the proper safety equipment, make sure all staff on site are sufficiently-trained, and take it up with your site manager immediately if you believe the construction site is not properly maintained.
Moreover, do not rush a project to the point where you might not do your best work. This could create an unsafe situation in which scaffolding is not properly erected or you are rushing up a ladder without someone supporting it from the bottom. Never put the project timeline ahead of your personal safety and the safety of those around you.
Seeking Compensation for Work Injuries
Having said that, sometimes accidents still happen, even when you have taken precautions to avoid them. In the event of a workplace injury that is caused by the negligence or recklessness of a site manager or fellow worker, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
When you are seriously injured in a construction accident, you suffer not only physical losses, which can be severe but also psychological and financial losses. You might experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), loss of income due to a disability, steep medical bills, and loss of future income if you are not expected to fully recover to your previous strength.
A good personal injury lawyer who specializes in these kinds of cases will be able to support you through the court of law and fight for some compensatory money to help you cope with your damages. While money cannot make up for the severe injuries you experience as a result of a construction site injury, it can help to cover the costs and take some pressure off of your personal life.
Compensation can ensure your family is supported and you can continue to bring food to the table and keep a roof over everyone’s head. This is an important part of the healing process and can help your mental recovery following the incident.
Recovering from an Accident
Lastly, let’s talk for a moment about what to do when you have had an accident in the construction industry. As we have seen, these incidents can be serious and leave a person psychologically, physically, and financially damaged. On top of seeking compensation with the help of a great lawyer, you need to start thinking about healing and living life after the incident.
It can be frustrating when you do not feel like you are “bouncing back” as quickly as you should following an incident at work. However, you need to remember that healing, both psychological and physical, is a process. You need to take the time to accept what has happened and process it. Then, when you are ready, you can begin to let it go and move past the accident, rather than holding onto it and all of the negative feelings that go with it.
If a third party was entirely or partly responsible for the incident, you might find it hard to let go of any feelings of blame or resentment, but these feelings are not going to help you heal, so it is best to try to forgive, where possible. Make sure to focus instead on self-care, positivity, taking steps toward healing, and being grateful for the life you still have.
Working in the construction industry can be a rewarding and lucrative job, but it is not without its pitfalls. One of which is the high risk of injury and accidents, particularly when working on sites that are not properly managed. So, you need to take precautions where possible to avoid being in a workplace accident. However, when an incident does occur, you also need to know what to do. Start by calling a personal injury lawyer and seeking compensation for your damages.
Then, when you are ready, focus on forgiveness and self-care. Even though construction industry injuries can be very serious, you can still move on from the incident and live your life, with a bit of support and dedication to healing.