What to do if you've been injured in a construction accident

If you’ve been injured in a construction accident, there are steps you should take to preserve important evidence. Taking the following steps will help to protect both yourself and your legal rights:

 

  • Seek medical attention for your injuries.
  • Immediately report your injury to your supervisor. Make sure that a written report of the incident is made.
  • Collect the names and contact information for any possible witnesses to your accident.
  • If possible, take photos of the area where the accident occurred, including any tools and equipment involved in the accident.
  • Write down a detailed account of how the accident happened.
  • Contact a Texas personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Fears | Nachawati is a Texas personal injury law firm that helps victims of construction accidents get the compensation they deserve. Contact us today to receive free legal advice about your accident. To speak with a Texas personal injury lawyer at no charge, email us at info@fnlawfirm.com or call us on our toll-free number at 1.866.705.7584 for your free consultation.

 

Causes of construction accidents

Causes of construction accidents vary depending on the type of job, the work environment and the equipment used in the course of the victim’s daily work. While there are numerous causes of construction accidents, there are certain types of on-the-job accidents that Texas personal injury lawyers come across on a regular basis.

 

One common cause of Texas construction accidents is faulty equipment due to regular wear and tear. After a while, equipment simply needs to be replaced or repaired due to the strain of daily use. Workers can be seriously injured on the job if they are using worn-out tools and equipment. Equipment needs to be serviced regularly to ensure that it is safe for use on the job.

 

Falls are another frequent cause of workplace injuries. According to the U.S. Department of Safety, falls accounted for 15% of all workplace fatalities in 2007. General research indicates that falls account for one out of every three construction accident deaths. The most common type is a worker falling from a roof, but faulty scaffolding is another frequent cause of falls in the workplace.

 

Other causes of construction accidents include:

 

  • Electrocution
  • Asphyxiation
  • Lack of proper training
  • Fires or explosions
  • Heavy machinery accidents, such as cranes and forklifts
  • Faulty safety harness
  • Welding accidents
  • Trench collapses
  • Falling objects
  • Failure to comply with OSHA safety standards
  • Exposure to caustic chemicals
  • Holes in the floor
  • Compressed gases
  • Lifting heavy objects

Sadly, many Texas construction accidents could have been avoided through basic safety measures. However, employers sometimes fail in their duty to provide their employees with a safe work environment. In these cases, the injured worker is sometimes eligible to bring a personal injury lawsuit and/or pursue a worker’s compensation claim.

 

If you have been injured in a construction accident, contact Fears | Nachawati today for free legal advice on whether you have a personal injury claim. Email us at info@fnlawfirm.com or call us on our toll-free number at 1.866.705.7584 for a free consultation.