Two Workers Injured in Highway Construction Accidents
Catastrophic Injury,Construction Accident,In the News,Personal Injury,Work Injury,Workers' Compensation - September 23, 2014 by Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates
Highway work zones are often busy, and workers are focused on their jobs. Highly trafficked roads need repairs more often than less busy ones, and more cars make construction workers’ jobs dangerous. Furthermore, diverting traffic generally involves an array of barrels, signs and frequent lane changes. Drivers who are already impaired, fatigued or distracted may have trouble navigating these work-sites, which leads to a high rate of accidents.
Construction workers, who are generally unprotected in work zones, often pay the price when drivers are negligent. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 37,476 people suffered injuries in road construction zones in 2010, which translates to 96 each day. Although many of these accidents involve cars losing control and crashing into work zones, there are many other ways that a wreck can happen on these sites.
For instance, The Press Democrat reports that two workers suffered serious injuries when a tractor-trailer struck a suspended bundle of rebar, causing it to come loose and fall on the men. The duo was part of a bridge renovation project on a busy stretch of the highway.
The Workers Were Unloading the Rebar Using a Crane
Moving heavy construction materials on any work-site is dangerous, but it’s especially so on a highway bridge. The men had to contend with a nearby ledge and passing traffic as they unloaded the rebar using a crane. Anyone who has used a crane to move steel rods knows that it isn’t always easy to get the load to remain steady. KTVU News explains that the bundle swayed into an open lane and then into traffic. That’s when a passing truck struck the rebar rods and caused them to rain down on the men.
If you’ve suffered a serious injury while working construction, we can offer you practical legal advice to get you the compensation you need to get back on your feet. At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates in Chicago, we understand the challenges that construction workers face when recovering from an injury, and we’re committed to helping our clients any way we can. To speak with a construction accident lawyer from our firm, please call (800)-985-1819.
Both Construction Workers Were Hospitalized Following the Accident
One of the workers suffered relatively minor injuries. His coworker, who was standing just beneath the rebar, was not so lucky. He sustained several head lacerations and a broken femur, among other injuries. In these types of accidents, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration sends investigators to determine whether or not a safety violation contributed to the incident. If so, OSHA issues fines and prompts the company to make changes to prevent future accidents.
If you are planning to seek compensation after suffering a serious injury at work, call us. At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, we have expertise in both personal injury law and workers’ compensation claims, so we can help you maximize your compensation. To speak with a Chicago construction accident lawyer about your situation, please call us at (800)-985-1819.
