15 Construction Accidents You Might Not Consider

Construction accidents have the potential to inflict catastrophic bodily harm, which can set the injured party on a path toward financial instability, physical disability, and mental health issues. 

Common causes of construction accidents include damaged or defective equipment, lack of supervision or training, or careless behavior. At Cellino Law, we firmly believe that construction site employers and equipment manufacturers should be held accountable when their negligent actions harm others.

As personal injury lawyers, we have seen firsthand how instances of negligence on construction sites can have life-long and life-threatening consequences for the injured worker or site visitor. Our team is committed to ensuring you are fairly compensated for your injuries and damages in a construction accident lawsuit.

For a free case consultation with a member of our legal team, contact us at (888) 888-8888 or through our online form. Our personal injury lawyers can offer the benefits of our decades of combined experience and hard-won knowledge to secure a fair settlement on your behalf.

Caught-In/Between Accidents

When a construction worker finds themselves trapped in between two entities, such as a truck and a stack of materials, that is often referred to as a caught-in/between accident.

A caught-in/between accident can also refer to situations where a worker is caught on a sharp or protruding surface, effectively trapping them in place. Survivors of caught-in/between accidents most commonly sustain some form of a crush injury.

Struck-By Construction Accidents

Struck-by accidents involve a person being hit or smacked with an object, such as a falling beam, a swinging hook on the end of a cable, or a dropped tool. Depending on the weight and features of the object in question, construction workers or passersby may sustain a serious or fatal injury.

For example, being struck in the head by a falling saw blade could result in a severe laceration and a traumatic brain injury.

Electrocution

Faulty, damaged, or older wiring, lighting, and power lines can be a significant threat to worker safety on a construction site. Workers can be killed by directly touching the wiring without protective gloves, stepping into water where a live wire has fallen, or touching material like metal that conducts electricity.

When the body absorbs high-voltage electricity, it can cause burns, heart damage, seizures, and in some cases, death by electrocution.

Slip and Fall Accidents

OSHA reports that slip-and-fall accidents are one of the most common types of construction site accidents. This comes as no surprise, as construction sites are ripe with opportunities for slippery surfaces or trip hazards.

For example, spilled chemicals, electrical cords, building materials, and numerous other items can create an unsafe environment for construction workers. Slip and fall accidents can result in head injuries, broken bones, back injuries, and other debilitating issues.

Collapsed Ground

Construction work may involve excavating the ground in preparation for installing a new foundation and removing the remnants of preexisting structures. This can cause the ground to become unstable. When the ground shifts, it can cause workers to lose their footing, become buried in the soil that has been disturbed, or injure themselves on concealed hazards.

Defective Safety Equipment

Construction workers depend on safety equipment- from ear protection to hard hats to gloves- to protect themselves from the dangers they encounter on the job. When protective equipment fails, as in the case of 3M’s defective earplugs, the damage can be permanent. 

Fires 

One of the most dangerous types of construction accidents is a fire. Most construction sites contain a dangerous combination of flammable chemicals, tools that spark, and building materials that amount to tinder. A construction site fire can quickly spiral out of control due to the presence of so much available kindling and accelerants.

Construction site fires can result in burns, smoke inhalation, and death. Fires can also induce stampedes as workers and nearby pedestrians panic, leading to injuries caused by trampling. 

Explosions 

It is not uncommon for construction sites to have explosives on site for demolition purposes. However, improper storage of volatile chemicals, mishandling of explosive materials, and general negligence can cause explosion accidents on construction sites.

Unfortunately, explosions are not always anticipated with enough time for workers to safely evacuate the premises. Explosions can result in catastrophic injuries, as sharp tools and materials can turn into projectiles, and workers may be thrown against hard surfaces or trapped under debris.

Collapses

During the construction process, the threat of collapse looms. Construction workers may be working on unstable ground, navigating a newly-installed floor, or using scaffolding to reach various levels of a structure. A collapse can trigger a domino effect, with workers and platforms falling onto each other, dropping tools and materials, and generally destabilizing a structure.

Overexertion Accidents 

Construction work involves manual labor, typically in an outdoor setting. After working a long shift in the sun, construction workers are more prone to overexertion accidents.

This often involves a worker becoming dehydrated or overheated. Overexertion can lead to fainting or stroke, both of which are dangerous in their own right, but on a construction site, unexpectedly collapsing can cause a fatal fall, loss of control of a machine, or a caught-in/between accident.

Crane and Hoist Accidents

While many crane or hoist accidents are also struck-by accidents, workers can also be injured by becoming tangled in the cables, falling from a basket, or being flung from the crane. Most commonly, crane accidents are caused by operator error, which can be attributed to their own negligence or a lack of proper training. 

Gas Leaks

Gas leaks can be a hazard on construction sites, especially in confined spaces. In a confined space, a buildup of toxic gasses, like carbon monoxide, can cause respiratory issues and loss of consciousness. Like carbon monoxide, other gasses like methane are highly flammable, so a spark in an enclosed space could quickly ignite and cause burns, suffocation, and fatal injuries.

Repetitive Stress Injury Accidents

Construction site workers who frequently use the same set of muscles in the same way, can damage them over time, leading to chronic pain and limited mobility in a repetitive stress injury accident. In the context of a construction site, a worker who is constantly bending over to pick up heavy materials may strain their back, making it difficult to execute their full range of motion and perform their job duties.

Vehicle Accidents

Construction sites often rely on heavy machinery to move heavy materials, manage the existing landscape, and generally expedite the construction process. Forklift accidents are a common example of a construction site vehicle accident. \

Possible scenarios include a forklift tipping over from being loaded incorrectly, ramming into materials that fall over, or running over a worker’s foot.

Loss of Hearing

Unlike most other types of construction accidents, accidents that result in loss of hearing typically take place over time. Constantly being around loud machinery without proper ear protection can cause irreparable damage to the inner ear hair cells, which leads to hearing loss.

Choose Cellino Law to Negotiate Your Construction Accident Claim

The Cellino family has served injured New Yorkers for over 60 years. We are proud of our legacy, which includes millions of dollars recovered for our injured clients. At Cellino Law, we have a history of proven results, which is a source of pride for our team. We have accomplished this by providing solid advice, thorough evaluations, and strategic arguments to maximize compensation. 

As a leading New York personal injury law firm, we have managed a number of construction accident claims, including both workers’ compensation claims and third-party lawsuits. You can feel confident that with our team on your side, your claim will have the best chance of success.

Contact Cellino Law if You Have Been Injured in a Construction Accident

After a serious construction site accident, you should seek out a personal injury attorney that is equipped to handle both product liability lawsuits and workers’ compensation claims. At Cellino Law, we know how to support clients who have been injured while working, visiting, or passing construction sites.

Our team understands that due to the severity of the average construction site injury, you and your family may be facing staggering medical bills, lost wages, and loss of quality of life.

Our team of construction accident attorneys knows what is required to mount an effective claim for compensation. We will protect your right to seek compensation and take your construction accident claim to court if needed to ensure that you receive a fair settlement.

If you have been injured in a construction site accident, you should be mindful of your state’s statute of limitations and contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to avoid missing your chance to file a claim.

The construction accident attorneys of Cellino Law are standing by, ready to provide you with the legal insight you need to successfully maximize your compensation. For a free case consultation with a member of our legal team, contact us at (888) 888-8888 or through our online form.