- March 29, 2022
- Attorney Matt Stoddard
- Construction Accidents
Working on a construction site is one of the most dangerous jobs around. Not only is there heavy equipment everywhere, but huge steel beams, two-by-fours, concrete, welding equipment, nails, and other potentially hazardous objects are all over the construction site. Falls from roofs or scaffolding are also common, as are brain injuries. Every day a construction worker shows up on the job, injury or even death is possible.
About 20% of all employee fatalities in private industry in 2019 were on construction sites – accounting for 1 in 5 worker deaths. In 2019, 1,061 construction workers died on the job. That same year, more than 79,000 construction workers suffered injuries requiring days off work.
Falls remain the leading cause of work-related deaths in construction, accounting for more than 36% of the total number of fatalities, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Other fatalities in 2019 were caused by getting struck by an object (15%), being electrocuted (7%), and being caught between objects (5%). Falls, slips, and trips accounted for 32% of nonfatal injuries requiring days off work in the private construction industry (25,460 cases nationwide). In 2019, 11.4 million U.S. workers were employed in construction, a 25% increase since 2011.
Atlanta Construction Accident Settlements Vary
How much workers receive in an Atlanta construction accident settlement varies depending on several factors. There is no “average” settlement because each claim is fact dependent, relying heavily on the unique circumstances in the case. Generally, the more severe and life-altering the injury, the greater the payout. Factors that affect Houston construction accident settlements include:
- Severity of injuries
- Cost of medical bills
- Amount of time off work/lost wages
- Future medical prognosis/disability
- Whether gross negligence was exhibited by the employer.
To find out more about what your individual case might be worth, talk to a skilled and experienced construction accident lawyer at The Stoddard Firm.
Common injuries suffered by construction workers include:
- Concussion and brain injury
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Internal bleeding
- Electrocution
- Neck and spine injury
- Cuts and lacerations
- Organ damage
- PTSD
- Paralysis
- Wrongful death
Whether your injury is moderate or life threatening, you may be entitled to financial compensation. This is especially true if your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence.
Causes of Construction Accidents
Several calamities can happen on a construction site resulting in worker injuries. Some involve large trucks, cement mixers, and heavy equipment, while others involve defective products.
FALLS, SLIPS AND TRIPS
Falls from scaffolding, ladders, and roofs are by far the most common cause of injuries and death in the construction industry. A lot of construction work requires climbing on beams and reaching for objects up high, which can be dangerous. Scaffolding accidents often result from planking giving way, a worker tripping or slipping, or the absence of fall protection.
STRUCK BY A FALLING OBJECT
Being hit by a falling object from above is also a common cause of construction accidents, often resulting in concussion and brain trauma.
ELECTROCUTION
Sadly, electrocution by power tools or contact with utility power lines results in many deaths and injuries each year among construction workers. The situation is compounded further if there is standing water or rain, which can increase the likelihood of electrocution.
CRUSHED BETWEEN OBJECTS OR VEHICLES
Getting crushed between large trucks, pallets of lumber, or other objects is also a hazard on a construction site. A worker can often be in a vehicle’s blind spot and get pinned down.
BURNED BY FLAMES OR CHEMICALS
Fires on a construction site are a serious concern. Fires can erupt when a power tool ignites fluids or an underground gas line is penetrated while digging. A construction worker can also suffer chemical burns.
CRANE ACCIDENTS
Large construction sites, such as skyscrapers or office buildings, often involve the use of cranes. Crane accidents can be deadly when the machinery malfunctions due to operator error or faulty equipment.
HOISTING AND RIGGING
Hoisting and rigging is a part of day-in, day-out construction work. Lifting large objects with pulleys, handling rigging, and other lifting activities can cause hernias, back injuries, or worse.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
An injured construction worker may be entitled to both economic (out-of-pocket expenses) and non-economic (non-monetary) damages. These include:
Economic
- Medical and hospital bills
- Future medical care
- Rehabilitative services
- Medical and adaptive equipment
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings potential
- Property damage
Non-Economic
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- PTSD
- Loss of consortium
In rare cases, a judge can also award punitive damages. As the name implies, these damages are designed to punish an employer, equipment maker, or other defendant because of severe negligence or a pattern of gross disregard for safety. Punitive damages are also designed to send a warning to future potential wrongdoers.
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON PERSONAL INJURY CASES IN GEORGIA
It’s crucial to remember that you must file your personal injury claim within an allowable time period. The statute of limitations on construction accident injuries in Georgia is two (2) years.Georgia statute (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33) states that the clock begins to run from the date your legal claim accrues. It’s important to file your claim during this two-year window. If you miss the deadline, a judge may dismiss your case and you will not have a legal remedy.
Contact a Construction Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve been injured in a construction accident, the attorneys at The Stoddard Firm can help you get the compensation you deserve. We have achieved outstanding results when representing clients of all kinds. Our legal team is skilled and experienced, and we fight aggressively for your legal rights. Testimonials from our satisfied clients are proof of our success. Our firm is compassionate, professional, and experienced, and we value open and honest communication. We are always available to answer our clients’ questions and provide reassurance. To find out more about how we can help, call us for a free consultation at 470-467-2200.
Attorney Matt Stoddard
Matt Stoddard is a professional, hardworking, ethical advocate. He routinely faces some of the nation’s largest companies and some of the world’s largest insurers – opponents who have virtually unlimited resources. In these circumstances, Mr. Stoddard is comfortable. Mr. Stoddard provides his strongest efforts to his clients, and he devotes the firm’s significant financial resources to presenting the strongest case possible on their behalf. Matt understands that his clients must put their trust in him. That trust creates an obligation for Matt to work tirelessly on their behalf, and Matt Stoddard does not take that obligation lightly. [ Attorney Bio ]