Construction Workers
Injured Construction Workers in Connecticut
There is a high demand for skilled construction workers, yet construction work is among the most dangerous occupations. Workers face many challenges daily due to the nature of the job. They often work in unsafe environments and with dangerous machinery that can lead to serious injury. As a result, hundreds of workers are injured or killed in accidents every year.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):
- One in five worker deaths annually is in construction.
- The “Fatal Four” leading causes of the private sector working fatalities in the construction industry are (i) falls, (ii) being struck by an object, (iii) electrocution, and (iv) being caught in something or between two objects. These accidents are responsible for 58.6 percent of construction worker deaths.
- By eliminating the “Fatal Four” causes of construction worker deaths would save 591 lives in the U.S. each year.
- One in every ten construction workers is injured annually.
- Construction companies can save $4 to $6 in indirect costs for every $1 invested by avoiding an injury in the workplace.
According to the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR):
- Lifting, using a tool or machine, and carrying heavy objects are the leading causes of strain injuries in construction.
- The construction industry spends 71 percent higher cost on workers’ compensation than all goods-producing industries combined, more than twice the average employer’s mean cost in other sectors.
- Construction site injuries account for six to nine percent of project costs, while safety and health programs only account for 2.5 percent of project costs.
- A company must sell an additional $1,667,000 in services to offset $50,000 in losses from injuries, illness, or damage and still make a 3% profit.
The reality is, construction work is dangerous. If you or a loved one was severely injured or killed on a construction site, a construction site accident attorney from Brown Paindiris & Scott, LLP can help you build a case and file a claim.
What to Do After a Construction Injury
If you have suffered a work-related injury or illness, it is essential to follow guidelines to help ensure your claim’s timely processing:
- Report Your Injury. Reporting your work-related injury immediately in writing is your critical first step. Maintaining written documentation throughout your claim is essential.
- Get Medical Treatment. Get immediate medical treatment for your condition. Call 911 or go to the emergency room for emergency care, and if you do not need emergency care, be sure to contact your physician to determine whether your condition requires treatment.
- Complete All Paperwork from Your Employer. After reporting your work-related injury to your employer, they will likely give you a stack of paperwork to complete. It is important to fill out the claim forms accurately and completely.
- Follow Up with Your Employer. If you do not hear from your employer after completing the claim paperwork, follow up to ensure they submitted a claim to the Workers’ Compensation carrier. Immediately opening up a claim with a Workers’ Compensation carrier will ensure your benefits will begin quickly. If you or your employer delays in reporting the claim, your benefits may be delayed.
- Talk to a Construction Injury Attorney at BPS Lawyers as Quickly as Possible. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you fight for your benefits and serve as your advocate throughout every step of the process.
These are just guidelines. Your best option to alleviate the stress and busy work is to contact the experienced attorneys at Brown Paindiris & Scott, LLP.
BPS Lawyers Can Help if You Are an Injured Construction Worker
Workers’ compensation law is complex and difficult to decipher. The workers’ compensation attorneys at BPS Lawyers have 40 years of experience protecting employees’ rights and ensuring you get the maximum benefits you deserve. If you have suffered a work-related injury or illness, contact us for help.