Anyone who has spent even a little time on a construction site knows that there is a chance, however slight, that they could get seriously hurt. Hard hats and other safety equipment, along with training, make a big difference, but Minneapolis construction workers know they might not get home in one piece every time they show up for work.
Experts sort construction accidents into nine types, most of which cause sudden injury.
Here they are:
- Falls – The most common type of construction accident, The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in 2009, falls caused 22 percent of nonfatal construction injuries.
- Falling objects – Even when workers are on or near the ground, heavy objects above them can fall and land on them.
- Equipment-related accidents – Heavy, powerful equipment like forklifts and nail guns can fail, causing severe injury.
- Backovers and crush accidents – If the person driving a truck or similar vehicle on-site is not careful, he or she can run over another worker, or pin him or her against a wall.
- Fires and explosions – Burns can be extremely painful and take a long time to heal.
- Trench or building collapses
- Repetitive motion injuries and overexertion – Heat stroke is a real danger when working outdoors in hot weather.
- Lead exposure – From 2002-2008, construction workers made up 16 percent of cases of lead poisoning.
- Respiratory disease
If you are ever hurt in any of these types of construction accidents, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. Contact a workers’ compensation attorney for help.