Common Construction Worker Injuries

In 2016, nearly 5,000 workers were fatally injured on the job. Of those fatalities, over 20 percent worked in the construction industry, accounting for 900 lost lives. Although the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the U.S. Department of Labor has worked to reduce the number of workplace fatalities through the implementation of safety and enforcement programs, construction workers still face incredible danger every time they go to work.

Of course, no one can predict when a workplace accident will occur, however, workplace accidents involving construction workers fall into 4 main categories: falling, struck by injuries, electrical and caught between an object.

Des Moines Ladder Fall Accidents

Falling accidents are the number one cause of construction injuries and fatalities. In fact, nearly 1 in 3 work fatalities are attributed to falls. Construction workers often are asked to work on elevated areas, sometimes lacking safety gear and training. Falls from rooftops, ladders and scaffolding, or other structures or equipment is all too common.

Iowa Construction Zone Struck By Injuries

Struck by injuries are also prevalent in construction zones. These types of injuries may be the result of falling or swinging equipment, vehicle strikes or falling debris.

Electrocution Risks at Construction Sites

Electrocution is an ever present risk. Construction workers may be charged with working on electrical wiring specifically or just be surrounded by live electrical lines on a project. Nearly 100 workers suffered fatal injuries due to electrocution in 2016 alone.

Construction Equipment Accidents

Construction workers work with various equipment on a work site, some of which are stationary and others that move objects from point a to b.  Severe injuries are caused when workers are compressed by equipment or objects on site, such as structure collapses or being pinned by equipment.

Contact Des Moines Construction Worker Injury Lawyers

When workers are hurt on the job, few know where to turn for help. The Des Moines construction worker injury lawyers of John T. Hemminger have decades of experience assisting construction workers in workers’ compensation, personal injury lawsuits and helping family members in wrongful death claims. Our attorneys have a proven track record of helping those injured in workplace and job site accidents get the compensation they deserve when they need it the most. If you, or a family member is hurt at work, call our Des Moines workers’ compensation law office for a free and confidential consultation today at 515-283-2116.