More Construction Work Means More Dangers

If you ignore the daily ups and downs of the stock market and look at the economy as a whole right now, things are looking pretty good. Unemployment is at record lows and there are plenty of construction projects going on all over the country, including right here in San Diego.

We also know that the construction industry can be dangerous for workers. This story highlights Johnny Meador who started in the industry when he was 15 years old. He says he is constantly amazed at the risks he and his co-workers took. He has been in construction for 45 years now and stresses the importance of safety.

“Some of the stuff we did when we were young – which the owners had you doing – was insane,” he says.

At the Simpson Law Group, we know that conditions have improved over the decades, but there are still far too many preventable construction injuries. If you need a San Diego construction accident attorney, you can count on our skilled and experienced team for help.

The Constant Dangers

It is a good thing that construction firms are hiring and putting more people to work. Construction is the backbone of a healthy economy. From our homes and office building to our roads and bridges, the US depends on the vital construction industry.

To understand the dangers that the women and men who work in the industry face, we only need to turn to OSHA’s list of what they fall the “Fatal Four.” That is the most common causes of fatalities in construction:

• Falls (38.7 percent)
• Getting struck by an object (9.4 percent)
• Electrocutions (8.3 percent)
• Getting caught in between objects (7.3 percent)

While those are just the fatal accidents, there are thousands more who survive and must deal with the consequences. We commonly see the following types of injuries due to construction accidents:

• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Broken or Dislocated Bones
• Hearing and Vision Loss
• Respiratory Problems

While these are traumatic injuries that are easily and immediately visible, construction workers also face dangers from hidden injuries and illnesses:

• Repetitive stress injuries often do not present signs and symptoms until years after a person has been working.
• Respiratory illnesses and cancer are common long-term illnesses suffered by construction workers who have been exposed to chemicals, particles, and carcinogens.

It is up to construction companies to provide proper safety equipment and training to all workers to prevent these things from happening.

Your Options Now

After a construction accident injury that was caused by another person’s negligence, we know your focus needs to be on healing. At the Simpson Law Group, our qualified team will do the hard work for you. We want to make sure that you get eh compensation you deserve for all of your accident-related expenses. This can include:

• Your medical bills
• Lost income and benefits
• Loss of enjoyment of life damages
• Punitive damages

When you need a San Diego construction accident attorney, you can contact us by clicking here or calling 619-236-9696 for a free consultation.