Currently, there are 6 million people working in the construction industry in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, that’s about 4% of the country’s total working population.
Because so many people in our country hold construction jobs, there are many stories out there about horrific injuries experienced by construction workers and life-changing accidents that have occurred on job sites. In fact, nearly 20% of all work-related deaths in 2012 occurred in the construction industry.
If you or someone you love has been harmed or killed in a work-related construction accident, it is imperative that you seek legal representation right away. Contact DeFeo & Kolker, LLC for help immediately by calling (314) 684-8285 today.
Common Construction Injuries
The most common sources of work-related injury and death in the construction industry include:
- Slips and falls
- Falls from heights
- Collapsing trenches
- Being caught in or between machines
- Electrocution or shock
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Being struck by an object
However, the construction industry does not only face a higher rate of deadly injury than most other lines of work. Construction workers across the board tend to face more frequent serious but non-deadly injuries, which can include:
- Penetrative injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputation of limbs and appendages
- Serious burns resulting from fire, electricity, or machinery
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Soft tissue injuries to the spinal cord, organs, etc.
- Broken bones and multiple fractures
- Injuries resulting in blindness or impaired vision
- Sensory loss
Safety and Protections for Construction Workers
While working the construction industry does carry some inherent risk, much of that risk is eliminated when proper safety procedures are followed. If you are working on a construction site, you and your supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment by adhering to proper protocol when it comes to wearing the right gear, properly using machinery, and understanding safe practices in all aspects of the job. Construction companies also have an obligation to provide safe, functional machinery for use by their employees. When a construction company or supervisor does not do one of the above, they put their employees at risk and may be considered legally responsible if a worker is injured as a result of their negligence.
Workers Compensation and Personal Injury Cases
If you are a construction worker and have been injured due to a mistake or oversight made by a supervisor, co-worker, or even by you, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits are easy to access and are typically given to cover the basic costs of recovery and a portion of your lost wages. However, workers’ compensation is typically not enough to cover the costs of most major injuries and is insufficient to make up for the personal and financial losses you may experience.
If you have been seriously injured or have experienced personal damage or financial losses due to the negligence or recklessness of another, or because your supervisors failed to create a safe work environment, you will need an aggressive legal representative to help you get the compensation you need and the fair treatment you deserve.
Speak to a Missouri Construction Injury Lawyer in Missouri Today
At DeFeo & Kolker, LLC, we believe everyone should have high quality legal representation, especially when it is essential to obtaining necessary funds for your injury-related expenses. Our Missouri personal injury attorneys have handled many cases like yours and can provide you with the personalized service you need and legal counsel that will put your mind at ease while we fight for justice on your behalf.
Schedule your complimentary consultation with a member of our legal team today by filling out this short submission form.