Construction is a risky business. Construction worker is ranked as one of the top 5 most dangerous jobs in America. There are countless and constant hazards during the average day for a construction worker, which make the possibility of injury and even death incredibly high. The fatal injury rate for the construction industry is higher than the national category for all other industries. Of the 4,679 workers killed on the job in 2014, 20% of those workers were in the construction industry. More than half of these accidents occur due to the constructions’ “fatal four” as described by OSHA.
- Falls;
- Electrocutions;
- Struck by object; and
- Caught in/between.
There are over one million construction workers in America, with over 100,000 working in the state of Illinois.
There are countless construction sites around Illinois and in the city of Chicago there were 40 active high-rise projects in progress as of March 2016 and this list continues to grow every month. The construction injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. in Illinois specialize in personal injuries ensuring that workers receive the benefits they deserve.
Work Bridge Collapses
Bridges pose a substantial risk for construction workers whether one is being built as a final project or being used within a construction site. Many work sites create temporary walkways, bridges, or platforms to assist in transporting materials or to create a workspace for employees. All too often these structures do not meet OSHA standards and accidents occur. In most accidents these makeshift bridges cannot hold the weight of workers or equipment and they collapse. Another common accident occurs when these surfaces are not secured, which can cause the surface to shift and fall apart. These unsecure surfaces can cause workers to fall and become seriously injured. Falls are the number one cause of injury and death at construction sites with 40% of construction industry deaths in 2014 caused by a fall.
Falls can be easily avoided on the job site so long as employers and employees follow OSHA safety standards. There are very specific standards set forth by the OSHA governing how to build structures within construction sites, like what materials must be used, and what fall prevention systems are required according to the project. Fall prevention systems are the most important safety standards that OSHA requires; yet these requirements are also the ones ignored most often.
Most construction site accidents can and should be avoided through the use of safety training for both employees and employers and the use of safety guidelines. Following these standards can mean the difference between life and death. If you or a loved one has been injured while using a work bridge you may be entitled to compensation for those injuries.
Bridge Collapses During Construction
Bridges are an important part of life. They help us get where we are going, providing roadways and walkways to assist both motorists and pedestrians alike. In the city of Chicago alone there are 18 bridges along the river. An associated press analysis of 608,380 bridges in 2013’s federal National Bridge Inventory showed that around 15.4 percent of those were in dangerous condition such that repairs will be necessary at some point in the future. The possibility of a bridge collapsing is incredibly rare but can be a serious reality for many.
Bridge inspection, repair, and construction involves many serious hazards for all types of individuals – engineers, inspectors, construction workers, equipment operators, contractors, and even pedestrians. Many accidents involving bridges occur during repair work due to the use of heavy equipment and ignored standards. In many cases bridges under repair cannot handle the stress of the procedures or the weight of the equipment and accidents happen. Workers can be injured or killed due to ignorance and blatant disregard for safety procedures.
Victims of Bridge Collapse Accidents in Chicago
Under Illinois law, regardless of who is at fault, an injured worker or his/her dependent has the right to file and collect compensation benefits for injuries or death occurring on the job. Injured employees have a right to medical treatment, disability pay, and potential compensation for damages.
Victims who are hurt outside of the context of construction work are also entitled to relief when an accident happens in the Chicago area. They may be able to recover for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other losses they encounter due to the negligence of a construction site or its employees.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a construction accident, please call Abels & Annes P.C. at (855) LAW-CHICAGO (529-2442) or 312-924-7575 to set up a free and confidential consultation, or contact us online today.
If you were injured in a Chicago bridge collapse accident, call Abels & Annes, P.C. today toll free at (855) LAW-CHICAGO for a free case consultation.