Construction sites are a breeding ground for accidents; they are responsible for 20 percent of worker fatalities, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury in a construction accident, speak to a highly knowledgeable construction accident attorney at Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP to hear about your options for recovering compensation. Call today for a free consultation.
Why Choose Us?
- We have almost four decades of experience representing injured construction accident victims.
- Our firm has consistently produced favorable results, having recovered a total of over $1 billion in compensation.
- We will make every effort to be successful in your case and you won’t owe us anything if we don’t win.
Common Construction Accident Injuries in D.C.
Construction accidents can result in injuries varying in severity and sometimes permanently disabling, such as:
- Loss of a limbs
- Partial or complete blindness
- Loss of hearing
- Nerve damage and paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Broken or fractured bones
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Wrongful death
Common Causes of D.C. Construction Site Accidents
There are many different accident risks involved in working construction. Common causes of injury accidents include:
Falling from heights – A worker may fall from scaffolding, a building, or piece of machinery.
Trench collapse – A worker’s oxygen can be cut off when a trench collapses, burying the worker alive or causing crushing injuries.
Electric shock and or arc flash/blast – Construction workers at a high risk of suffering electrical burns when working with power tools, machinery, and electrical wiring.
Failure to use appropriate protective gear – Safety equipment should always be worn, including hardhats, safety glasses and other personal protective equipment.
Repetitive motion injuries – Repetitive motions can cause muscles and soft tissues to wear down and become damaged.
The four most common causes of construction accidents have been coined as the “Fatal Four,” due to the amount of fatalities they cause: Falls (39.2%), Struck by Object (8.2%), Electrocutions (7.3%), and Caught-in/between (5.1%). According to OSHA, “Caught-in/between” refers to construction workers killed when caught-in or compressed by equipment or objects, and struck, caught, or crushed in collapsing structure, equipment, or material. OSHA also reports that if the fatal four causes of accidents were resolved, then 582 workers’ lives would be saved every year in America.
OSHA Excavation Violations
The third most common OSHA violation involves excavation work. The risk of fatality for excavation work is 112 percent higher than for general construction work. When companies fail to properly brace or ventilate trenches, workers face hazardous working conditions that can result in serious injuries or death.
What Happens When OSHA Standards are Violated on Construction Jobs?
The laws OSHA enforces apply to all worksites. OSHA’s goal with respect to construction worksites is to protect construction workers, implement and enforce safety requirements and minimize construction accident injuries.
OSHA violations can expose a construction company to significant consequences, including:
- Work stoppages
- Fines
- Increased scrutiny by OSHA officials
- Other costs and liability for any injuries to workers
If OSHA issues a citation to a construction company for a violation following a construction accident, the injured worker may have additional evidence to support a claim against the construction company or other responsible parties.
OSHA violations can show that a construction worker was working in unsafe conditions when the accident or injuries occurred. If you were hurt and the construction company you work for received a citation from OSHA, contact our offices in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia to speak to our construction site accident attorneys about your best legal options today.
Who is Liable in a D.C. Construction Accident?
Following an accident at a construction site, one or more parties may be liable for any injuries an employee suffered, including the:
- Construction site owners
- General contractors
- Sub-contractors
- Design professionals, including engineers and architects
- Manufacturers and suppliers of machinery, equipment, and materials
- Insurance companies
Any person on a construction site that is in charge of workers could also possibly be liable for injuries, such as the foreman and construction site managers.
Contact Our D.C. Office Today
The qualified construction accident attorneys at Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP have been handling complex construction accident cases for over 38 years. We will protect your rights and demand compensation for your losses. Fill out our online contact form or call today for a free consultation.
Koonz McKenney Johnson & Depaolis serve residents of Washington DC including those living in Capitol Hill, Columbia Heights, Downtown District of Columbia, Foggy Bottom, Georgetown, and Mount Vernon.