Common Construction Accidents on Worksites
Construction sites are among the most dangerous work environments in America. Despite strict safety regulations and ongoing training efforts, thousands of construction workers in Nebraska and across the country suffer serious injuries each year.
Our Omaha workers’ compensation attorney at Andres Law Offices protects the rights of construction workers following serious accidents and injuries. Here are some of the most common accidents we see on worksites.
Falls from Heights
Falls represent the leading cause of construction injuries and fatalities. Workers face fall hazards when working on scaffolding, ladders, roofs, and elevated platforms. Even falls from relatively low heights can result in devastating injuries, including broken bones, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, and paralysis. Our work injury lawyer understands the catastrophic nature of many fall injuries and how to seek maximum benefits.
Struck-By Accidents
Construction workers risk being struck by falling objects, swinging equipment, or moving vehicles on busy worksites. Tools dropped from above, unsecured materials, crane loads, and heavy machinery all pose serious hazards. These accidents can cause severe head trauma, crushing injuries, fractures, and internal damage. You need the proper benefits to cover the extensive medical care you might need, as well as lost wages.
Electrocution Injuries
Electrical hazards on construction sites include contact with power lines, faulty wiring, defective equipment, and improper use of electrical tools. Electrocution can cause burns, cardiac arrest, neurological damage, and death. Workers performing demolition, excavation, or installation work face particularly high risks when electrical systems haven’t been properly de-energized or marked. Too often, electrocutions are fatal, leading to death benefit claims.
Caught-In or Caught-Between Accidents
These accidents occur when workers become trapped, compressed, or caught in machinery, equipment, or collapsing structures. Trench collapses, equipment malfunctions, and getting caught in moving machinery parts account for numerous serious injuries and fatalities. Excavation work is hazardous without proper shoring and protective systems.
Repetitive Stress and Overexertion Injuries
While less dramatic than acute accidents, repetitive motion injuries and overexertion cause significant harm to construction workers. Lifting heavy materials, operating vibrating tools, and performing repetitive tasks lead to musculoskeletal disorders, back injuries, and joint damage that can end careers and cause chronic pain.
Equipment and Machinery Accidents
Heavy machinery, including forklifts, bulldozers, cranes, and excavators, creates serious injury risks. Rollovers, collisions, mechanical failures, and operator errors can cause crushing, pinning, or striking of workers. Inadequate training, poor maintenance, and worksite congestion increase these dangers.
Chemical and Toxic Exposure
Construction workers regularly encounter hazardous substances, including asbestos, silica dust, lead paint, solvents, and concrete additives. Prolonged exposure or acute incidents can cause respiratory diseases, chemical burns, poisoning, and long-term health complications that may not appear until years later.
Why Legal Representation Matters for Workers’ Compensation Claims
If you’ve been injured in a construction accident, filing a workers’ compensation claim should be straightforward, but it often isn’t. Insurance companies may minimize your injuries, dispute your claim, or offer settlements that don’t cover your medical expenses and lost wages. Complex cases involving third-party liability, permanent disabilities, or denied claims require the expertise of experienced legal guidance.
Contact a Trusted Omaha Work Injury Attorney
Andres Law Offices understands the challenges injured Omaha construction workers face. We can manage the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim, always fighting for the full benefits you are entitled to under the law.
If you’ve been injured on a construction site, contact Andres Law Offices at 402-491-4003 or online for a free consultation. We’re here to fight for the compensation you deserve.