Residents and businesses in New Jersey should be aware of the rights and facts regarding workers’ compensation when it comes to construction jobs. Missing work, as well as recovering costs from medical bills, might be on your mind.
According to OHS, Occupational Health and Safety, this occupation poses numerous risks and is a dangerous profession. In 2018, one in five workers’ deaths was in the construction industry.
What are the four leading causes of accidents?
Some of the most prevalent accidents among construction workers include the following:
- Electrocution
- Falls
- Struck by object
- Caught in/between objects
A person caught in between might become crushed, caught or struck by material that is collapsing. Equipment or construction might also collapse. These four types of accidents were accountable for 60% of construction deaths in 2019.
Injuries may be common
Injuries and workers’ compensation claims have shown that construction accidents may result from a failure to wear protective gear, such as hard hats and safety glasses. Those who work with power tools, wiring and generators may be exposing themselves to the risk of shock and electrical burns. Repetitive motions may also prove to be injurious, as muscles wear out.
Other types of injuries
Some workers could be in a trench. The trench collapses, cutting off their air supply and possibly burying them alive. Others may be working on a building or piece of machinery; a fall happens, causing them damage or injury that is severe. Falling from heights may be especially dangerous.
Workers should be aware of the common risks to injury in their industry, taking precautions to do their job safely. Both employers and employees should take all safety rules seriously. However, sometimes accidents happen, and injury occurs, with some cases resulting in death.
If you or a loved one sustain injury in a construction job or another type of work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. An experienced and trustworthy attorney may guide you through the workers’ compensation process and help you get the needed disability benefits.