Construction Accidents and Falls By Michael Shelton on August 29, 2017

Construction sites are inherently among the most dangerous and potentially deadly working environments that exist. Even when all safety protocols are observed, construction accidents are always a very real possibility. However, when proper safety precautions are not taken, the lives of construction workers can be put at considerably greater risk. Workers who leave their homes in the morning expecting only to put in a hard day’s work may not return that evening, often through no fault of their own.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), of the 4,379 workers who were killed in private industry in 2015, 937 were construction workers. In other words, more than 21 percent of all workplace deaths occurred on construction sites. Of these fatalities, 364 - or nearly 39 percent - occurred because of falls. This makes falls by far the most common cause of death among construction workers, well ahead of being struck by object (9.6 percent) and electrocutions (8.6 percent).

At The Shelton Law Firm, attorney Michael E. Shelton has extensive experience in handling claims involving construction accidents and falls in the Houston, TX region. If you or a member of your family has been seriously injured due to a fall on a construction site, or if you have lost a family member in such an accident, Mr. Shelton can provide you with the legal representation you need to ensure that your rights are properly asserted.

To arrange for an evaluation of your construction accident case, please contact The Shelton Law Firm today.

Preventing Falls in Construction Sites

Tragically, most falls that occur on construction sites are completely preventable. Indeed, OSHA has issued regulations intended to protect construction workers from falls, mandating employers to provide fall protection at elevations of six feet. Workers are to be supplied with appropriate safety gear whenever they are at heights above six feet, whether working on a roof, ladder, or scaffold. Appropriate safety measures may include guardrails, harnesses, safety lines and nets, railings, and handrails. Workers must be properly trained on the use of safety equipment and warned of potential falling hazards.

Unfortunately, of the ten most frequently cited OSHA standards violated in fiscal year 2016, fall protection was at the top of the list, followed by hazard communication and scaffolding requirements. Ladders were the seventh most frequently cited standard violated. Four of the top ten standards violations are major contributors to dangerous falls.

Construction accident cases are among the most complex in all of personal injury law. Most injuries that occur on construction sites are covered by workers’ compensation; however, there are instances in which an employer may be held accountable for cases of egregious negligence. Michael E. Shelton can evaluate your case and advise you of your legal rights and options.