Accident Injuries Illustrate the Perils of Working in the Construction Industry
If a construction accident left you injured or led to the death of a loved one, you know all too well that working in the building trades is dangerous. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs in construction and related industries continue to be among the most dangerous in the United States. The California Department of Industrial Relations reported in 2017 that construction laborers in the state had the second-highest number of on-the-job fatalities that year.
Recent media stories confirm the dangers of the construction industry in the Santa Barbara area and throughout Southern California. Last December, a worker died after a 7,000-pound steel beam fell on him while he worked in a construction yard located on East Montecito Street in Santa Barbara. In July 2019, one worker died and four others were hurt when a wall of rebar collapsed at a construction site on the campus of UC-San Diego. Even when safety measures are in place and adhered to, construction job sites are inherently dangerous place to work.
Common causes and types of construction injuries
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the most common causes of construction-related injuries and deaths are:
- Transportation incidents
- Fires and explosions
- Falls, slips and trips
- Electrocution
- Exposure to toxic substances
- Contact with objects, tools, and equipment
While workers injured in these types of construction accidents often suffer broken bones and lacerations, they may also suffer catastrophic personal injuries that include amputations, burns, internal injuries, and head, neck and spinal cord injuries.
It’s not only the victims themselves who are affected by construction accidents: co-workers and even passersby may suffer emotional trauma from watching others suffer serious injuries or fatalities in construction accidents.
If you or a loved one suffered an injury while working at a construction site in Santa Barbara or the surrounding area, you may be eligible for compensation for medical costs, lost wages and pain and suffering. Our Santa Barbara construction accident attorney at Patterson Law offers a free initial consultation to advise you on your options. Call 888-479-4589 or contact us online.
