Attorney
Falls are the leading cause of fatalities for construction workers, with 400 to 500 deaths resulting from falls each year in the United States. They account for nearly one-third of all deaths in the construction industry. Some of the most common falls are those that occur from roofs, which can result from unprotected holes, improper use of safety equipment or defective equipment. A Washington, D.C. personal injury lawyer can help you recover compensation for your injuries and suffering if you have been hurt in a construction accident.
Washington, D.C. Fire and EMS reported that a construction worker fell 2-3 stories last week from a bucket lift. The man was working near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW near the Old Executive Office building when the accident occurred. Emergency responders took the man to the hospital. Unfortunately, such falls occur all too often at construction sites. A Minnesota worker died a few days ago in a construction fall. Around the same time, a Nebraska man suffered life-threatening injuries in a construction fall when the steel beam to which his safety line attached gave way.
Construction falls and injures have been steadily declining for years now. 2009 saw a record low in construction fatalities. Though increased safety programs and awareness from employers and the government’s efforts to improve safety oversight play a role in improving construction safety, experts urge caution in being too optimistic about the improved numbers. Construction work remains extremely dangerous, and a large reason for the decline is that, with the economy suffering and unemployment at high levels, construction workers are simply working a lot less.
For more information on what rights you have if unsafe work conditions have led to a construction accident that injured you, contact Roger C. Johnson, a Washington, D.C. personal injury attorney, at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.