Construction sites can be a dangerous place. Workers can slip and fall on debris, fall from height or be struck by a heavy object.
At the same time, equipment-related construction accidents also pose a major threat to workers in this industry. While using certain type of equipment can definitely make a job easier to complete, it often improves the likelihood of an accident and serious injury.
Heavy machine equipment can be dangerous for a number of reasons. For example, a nail gun could misfire at the absolute worst time. Or maybe a forklift fails to drive as intended, thus resulting in a construction worker being struck.
It’s important for employers and construction workers alike to understand the importance of equipment safety. This means many things, such as avoiding equipment that has not been maintained or is damaged for any reason.
The following steps should be taken in the event of an equipment related construction accident:
— Call for immediate medical assistance
— Report the accident and any injuries to the company (without delay)
— The victims should receive medical treatment at a local hospital
From there, the injured party has to decide what to do next. If you are unable to return to work as a result of your injury, you may want to file a workers’ compensation claim. This will allow you to receive money that can be used until you can return to the job site.
If for any reason your claim is denied, don’t hesitate to file an appeal. You were injured on the job, so you should absolutely fight for your rights.
Source: FindLaw, “Common Construction Injury Types,” accessed June 06, 2017