Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry. In 2013, 294 out of 796 total deaths in construction (36.9%) were caused by fall-related incidents. Among the top 10 most frequently cited standards by Federal OSHA in fiscal year 2014, fall protection ranked #1. Besides being one of the most common accidents that occur out of any industry, construction falls are completely avoidable.
With proper monitoring and communication, the drastic number of fatalities due to falls in the construction industry could be much lower. In an effort to combat the high number of fatalities in the construction industry, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed several resources for workers and their employers to utilize.
According to OSHA, "The employer shall determine if the walking/working surfaces on which its employees are to work have the strength and structural integrity to support employees safely. Employees shall be allowed to work on those surfaces only when the surfaces have the requisite strength and structural integrity."
If you've been injured on a construction site that you believe wasn't structurally sound, you may have a viable case. It’s the employers job to determine if a working space is safe or not, and you cannot be held liable for something that’s out of your control, such as the structural integrity of a construction worksite.
If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a fall on a construction site, you may be able to find compensation for your losses. Our experienced construction accident lawyers have helped hundreds of clients in the Chicago area and throughout the state of Illinois to obtain compensation for work injuries sustained on the job site or as a result of their construction work. Don’t hesitate to contact the construction accident attorneys at Peter Higgins Law to discuss the details of your construction accident. There is no cost for a personal injury consultation.