Falling Objects a Fatal Threat for Construction Workers

Each year, around 4,000 construction workers are fatally injured on the job. Falling objects such as tools, equipment, debris, and more are responsible for approximately eight percent of those deaths, placing them among the most common causes of worker fatalities. They are so common, in fact, that they have been named by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as one of construction’s “Fatal Four.” Records from the Administration, however, show that failure to provide protection from injury is one of the most commonly cited violations at worksites throughout the United States.

While OSHA provides rules and guidelines on how to effectively keep workers safe on the job, contractors, foremen, and other overseeing personnel often fall short when it comes to following through on them. This can be by not providing proper training (i.e. teaching workers how to safely organize and tether tools) or by not providing the proper equipment to ensure safety protocols are followed.

Failure to ensure scaffolding, cranes, and other equipment are properly used, maintained, and secured are all too common falling objects violations found on worksites run by commercial and general construction companies. This is also true regarding the failure to ensure demolition projects are done safely and according to protocol. All of these examples—and countless others—directly relate the responsibility of an employer or overseeing contractor to provide to provide adequate and reasonable protection to their employees and anyone else on the site.

It is in these instances—the ones where foremen, contractors, subcontractors, and other management personnel have failed to keep workers safe—that injured victims and their families have protections under law. Such protections hold the negligent party responsible for damages that the family or worker has experienced. Examples include the cost of medical bills, funeral expenses, loss of life or limb, pain and suffering, and possibly even punitive damages.

Unfortunately, this area of the law is extremely complex and changes frequently. The skilled attorneys at Corsigla McMahon & Allard, L.L.P. offer aggressive and comprehensive legal services to help victims and their loved ones navigate the complicated legal process and fight to ensure their rights are fully protected. Contact our experienced San Jose construction site injury attorneys for guidance in getting the compensation you deserve. Call (408) 289-1417 to schedule your free initial consultation today.

• Construction worker fatally struck by falling scaffold plank just clocked out for the day
• Falling objects can be a fatal threat
• Commonly Used Statistics