Top Causes of Deadly Construction Accidents

According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, 3,929 construction workers died on the job in 2013. Two hazards were responsible for approximately 50 percent of all those deaths.
OSHA explains that falls accounted for 294, or 36.9 percent, of the fatalities. The second most common cause of accident was “struck by object” incidents, which killed 82 workers. The U.S. Department of Labor holds that all of those deaths were preventable through proper safety training and correct use of equipment.

Besides those 3,929 deaths, hundreds of thousands of workers suffered injuries on construction sites last year, earning the industry a reputation as one of the most dangerous in the nation. If you have been injured while working construction, let us help. You will want to have an attorney on your side who is experienced with these types of workplace accidents. At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, we have been representing clients since 1924. To arrange a consultation with a construction accident lawyer in Chicago, call us at (800)-985-1819.

deadly construction accidents

1. Construction Worker Falls in Construction Site

The Record reports that an 18-year-old died after he was working on a 23-story building and fell from an unfinished balcony. The young man was part of a construction crew in charge of erecting 10 buildings for an apartment complex.
Police arrived shortly after the incident to determine how he could have fallen. Construction workers must follow a variety of safety rules when working at those heights. They must use harnesses and specialized equipment to ensure that they do not fall if they lose their footing.
Furthermore, OSHA requires construction companies to install railing early in the construction process to keep workers from accidentally walking off ledges. The man’s company discussed the accident with reporters, saying that it sent the rest of the crew home for the day and that many workers were traumatized by witnessing the accident.

2. Concrete Slab Strikes and Kills Construction Worker

The New York Times reports that two workers were securing the foundation of a construction project when a large piece of concrete came loose of above their heads. One of the workers was able to dive out of the way, but the other was not.
The concrete slab, which weighed several thousand pounds, crushed the man to death. The police and safety inspectors immediately launched an investigation and believe they have determined the cause of the accident.
They announced that an excavator inadvertently weakened the foundation of a nearby building, which caused the concrete to come loose. The construction company could face fines for the accident. Meanwhile, the project is on hold.
If you are looking for a Chicago construction injury lawyer, call us. At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, we have experience in both workers’ compensation and personal injury, so we can help you consider your legal options regardless of the situation that led to your injury. To learn more, please call us at (800)-985-1819.