With heavy materials, heavy equipment, and work done from great heights or tricky angles, construction site accidents are going to occur. Every laborer on-site should first follow proper safety procedures, but from there, it’s vital to hold a few key points in mind concerning worksite injuries and accidents. Here are three things to think about before you head out for another day on the job.
- At fault – It’s not always what/who you think.
So, someone dropped a tool on you from the floor above. You may initially believe the other laborer alone is to blame for your injury, but that’s not always the case.
It could have actually been that the tool malfunctioned, and couldn’t be operated as usual. It could be that the scaffolding the laborer was on wasn’t assembled correctly, and they lost their center of balance. It could also be that the laborer wasn’t properly trained by management.
Such is the case with many falls and on-the-job accidents; determining fault involves more than just observation. For this reason alone, many cases of worksite accidents don’t play out exactly the way the injured party think it will.
In addition, any action taken or benefits the injured party receives will be subject to state laws and regulations, so getting in touch with a construction accident attorney can help clarify what applies to you.
- How you react counts.
Just as with any accident which spurs legal action or compensation, what you do immediately following the accident matters a great deal. First, stop work immediately. This can ensure that you don’t somehow become responsible for your injury by neglecting it, and in fact further aggravate it by continuing to exert yourself.
Next, tell your boss. Report precisely what happened, as you understand it. Then, go straight to the hospital. Before you’re released, get a summary (record) of what occurred on paper. Make sure it shows that you were in the hospital on that time and date, and identifies that you were treated for this injury. Once you’ve reported and recorded the injury, then you can contact an attorney.
- Everyone is not on your side.
This can be a devastating lesson for those who have been working for the same company for years. Despite the fact that you’re a loyal employee with a history of good performance, things change when someone is expected to take the blame and eventually pay up.
In the same vein, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) isn’t always looking out for your best interest as well, as they are not a worker’s rights organization. They will not be investigating your injury in order to support your claim; they are looking for a workplace violation. In fact, it’s more likely that they’ll find you were to blame before a third party.
In the end, the most important thing is to do what you can to heal from your injury. Afterward, consult with a few different attorneys and learn what options you have for recourse. This way, you can find a professional who is actually interested in collecting evidence and investigating the situation for your benefit.
