There are inherent and specific risks associated with practically all types of employment, and any job can cause a worker to suffer physical harm. However, Illinois residents who work in the construction industry face a number of serious threats to their health and safety. Though they should be protected from harm when they are on the job, a number of individuals die in construction site accidents each and every year.
One of the most common causes of construction site fatalities is falls. In 2012 more than one out of every three construction site deaths was attributed to falls. Falls at construction sites happen when workers are not properly secured to high sites like scaffolding, or when holes are not properly marked and workers tumble into crevices. Worksite falls at construction sites are not always fatal but can leave victims with life-long injuries.
Another type of accident that can be fatal to construction workers is a striking accident. A striking accident happens when a person is hit with something, be it a projectile or a falling object. In 2012, nearly 10 percent of all American construction site fatalities were due to workers being struck with objects.
Electrocutions and caught-between accidents are also unfortunate causes of construction site deaths; added to striking accidents and falls, these four accident types account for around 54 percent of construction site deaths. When construction workers are hurt or killed on the job, there is often a legal case to be built against an employer or other party who failed to provide that worker with a safe place to do their job. Personal injury attorneys could prove to be helpful for those who are struggling to make sense of their legal options after suffering losses due to construction accidents.