Understanding Fall-Related Accidents On Construction Worksites

Two construction workers had to recently be rescued by authorities within hours of each other after experiencing workplace falls according to an article published by the South Florida Sun Sentinel. The first man had to be rescued after his back was injured after he fell from 7th floor level scaffolding on a worksite that did not yet have fully constructed elevators and stairwells. Just one hour later, Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue answered a call in Dania Beach to assist a second man who fractured his leg after falling 20 feet at his worksite. Additionally, a third man was injured a few days later in circumstances that remain unclear.

Sadly, the close proximity of these two fall-related rescues is an illustration of the fact that construction-related workplace falls are not isolated incidents. In contrast, construction workers, unfortunately, get hurt or killed due to falls more often than many people are aware of. And any time that a construction worker falls and gets hurt, the injured employee or his or her surviving family members should consult with a Florida workers’ compensation law firm as soon as possible.

How Often Do Falls Occur on Construction Sites and How Serious Can They Be?

Construction-related workplace falls often lead to serious consequences when they happen due to the nature of construction worksites. According to an article published by the National Safety Council (NSC) that assessed data gathered between 1982 and 2015, 42 percent of construction industry fatalities are attributable to falls.

Why Do These Kinds of Incidents Happen so Often?

In many cases, falls happen on construction worksites because of the negligence of employers. However, you should understand that if a fall does happen, an injured construction worker can obtain workers’ compensation benefits regardless of whether an employer was careless or whether an employer followed all safety requirements so long as the injury occurred at work during the scope of employment.

In addition, in many situations where fall protection is required, it is not provided, and even if it is, it is not used. The NSC found that over half of the workers who were killed had no access to safety measures such as a personal fall arrest system, and almost a quarter of these workers had access to a PFAS but did not use it.

Can Construction Companies Implement Safety Measures?

Yes, and many of these measures are relatively inexpensive in comparison with other construction costs. Countermeasures can include:

• Guardrail systems
• Personal fall arrest systems
• Warning line systems
• Controlled access zones

What Should I Do if I am Injured in a Fall-Related Construction Accident?

Despite your best efforts, you can still be injured in a fall at your construction worksite. If you are injured in this kind of situation, you should understand that there is no reason that you should try to obtain workers’ compensation benefits alone. We have assisted numerous construction workers who have been injured due to falls during over 25 years of legal experience and we offer compassionate and dedicated representation. The experienced Miami workers’ compensation attorneys at Payer & Associates will help ensure that you maximize your entitlement to workers’ compensation benefits. Begin by contacting us today to schedule a free consultation.

Resources:

safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/16646-percent-of-construction-worker-deaths-involve-falls-new-database-shows

sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-ne-high-rise-rescues-20190208-story.html

https://www.payerandassociates.com/injured-workers-and-tbis/