Atlanta Construction Site Accidents Overview

Construction workers bear the highest risk of injury in America according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). On the job injuries occur at a higher rate and are often more serious or fatal in construction site accidents. Construction workers are at a higher risk for injury because of their exposure to heavy machinery, heavy building materials and hazardous worksite materials.

If you have experienced a construction accident injury in Georgia, contact the construction accident and Atlanta workers’ comp attorneys at Cruz & Associates to begin filing your claim. If your accident was the result of negligent behavior either by another employee, supervisor, faulty equipment, or improper training – you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Whether it is a shoulder injury, foot injury or brain injury lawyers at Cruz & Associates are here to help. Call Cruz & Associates today to schedules a FREE initial case consultation and see how we can help you with your case.

Atlanta Sub-Contractors on Construction Sites

The burden of training and safety falls on the employer and workers are protected under Workers’ Compensation laws in Georgia, regardless of their immigration status.  Oftentimes, victims of Atlanta construction site accidents are told that they have no rights because they are categorized as ‘sub-contractors’ of 1099 contract workers. This is often not the case, regardless of how you are paid.

There are complex laws that dictate the true nature of an ‘employee’ and in the construction industry there are contractors that try to deflect their obligation to injured workers by ‘hiring’ help under 1099 status or ‘sub-contractors’, however, more often than not, these workers are considered ‘employees’ under the law, meaning they are protected under Workers’ Compensation. Determining this can be complex and you need the help of an experienced construction accident lawyer to protect your rights, get you the medical attention you need and secure the maximum compensation you’re entitled to under the law.

Four Most Common Atlanta Construction Accidents

According to the United States Department of Labor, 4,693 construction site fatalities occurred in the U.S. in 2016. The most common types of construction site accidents include:

1. FALLS – Falls from scaffolding and high buildings is very common on construction sites throughout the nation. Falls from high altitudes can be extremely dangerous and even deadly if the construction worker isn’t properly protected.
2. INJURED BY EQUIPMENT – Construction sites are notorious for the large and heavy machinery they use. Backhoes, forklifts, cranes, dump trucks, and other pieces of large equipment can pose a huge danger to unsuspecting workers, and become even more dangerous when the operator of these is not properly trained.
3. FALLING OBJECTS – Building material is often thrown from high places into dumpsters, and when this is not executed properly, the results can be devastating. Hardhats should always be worn on construction sites for numerous reasons, and falling objects debris is one of them.
4. ELECTROCUTION – Exposed wiring on construction sites can pose a huge danger to construction workers if the power is not properly shut off. High voltage electrocutions have the ability to kill a victim very easily. Working closely with the local energy and power company is crucial to maintaining a safe environment for workers.

Cruz & Associates has over 25 years of experience working with injured Atlanta construction workers. Our legal team of work injury lawyers in Atlanta will protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries and suffering.