CONSTRUCTION and WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS
Safety on the jobsite is essential in preventing accidents.
Sadly, each year thousands of workers are injured and killed
because of carelessness and the failure to follow safety
rules and regulations such as the Industrial Code and OSHA.
When an accident occurs responsibility may rest with the
owners, contractors, sub-contractors, architects and equipment
manufacturers. These parties are responsible for providing
a reasonably safe jobsite.
Workers' Compensation may be available to the injured worker
to provide payment for a percentage of the worker's lost
income and medical expenses related to the injury sustained
on the job. However, Workers' Compensation benefits are limited
and may be insufficient for a seriously injured worker with
a long term injury or disability.
A thorough investigation of a workplace accident is important
in order to determine if there are third parties responsible
for the accident. For example, the manufacturers of unsafe
equipment such as scaffolds, power tools, hoists, lifts,
cranes and back hoes can be liable when their products malfunction.
Laws may also impose liability on owners and contractors
when an accident occurs.
A person does not have to be employed at the jobsite in
order to bring a claim against a responsible party. For example,
pedestrians injured walking next to a constructions site,
those who are lawfully present at a site and those visiting
a site may be covered under the law.
There are many laws regarding the workplace and the rights
of a person injured in a workplace accident. Often responsible
parties may not be obvious and an investigation will be required.
If you have been injured in a construction or workplace accident
it is best to consult an attorney as soon as possible.
CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT LINKS
Occupational Safety & Health
Administration
http://www.osha-slc.gov
OSHA Technical Links Pages
http://www.osha-slc.gov/doc/topics.html
AFL-CIO Safety and Health on the Job
http://www.aflcio.org/safety
The Center to Protect Workers' Rights
http://www.cpwr.com
Construction Safety Council
http://www.buildsafe.org
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: Construction
Topics
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/cntopics.html
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE IN AN ACCIDENT
1. Call emergency personnel and wait for
them to arrive;
2. Obtain the names, addresses and phone
numbers of any witnesses;
3. Consult an attorney such as Michael J. Asta as soon as possible following an accident.
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