Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Construction Injuries - The FAQ's and the Facts


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Working at a construction site is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. In 2006, the latest year for which statistics are available, 1226 construction workers died from injuries on the job. General unskilled laborers are the group most at risk, accounting for 27% of construction site deaths. Ironworkers and roofers also experienced high rates of injury and death. Here are some FAQ's and facts about construction injuries.

How common are construction site injuries? Every year one out of ten construction workers sustains an injury on the job.

What is the most frequent type of accident on construction sites? Falls, both in place and from height, are the most frequent type of accidents on construction sites. Other causes of injury include electrocution, trench cave-ins, and malfunctioning equipment, especially cranes, forklifts and other machinery.

What is the most frequent type of injury sustained in construction? Back injuries are the most frequently occurring type of construction injury.

Do certain trades have higher rates of injuries and death? Unskilled laborers have the highest rate of fatal injuries. Among the skilled trades, ironworkers and roofers have the highest rates of injury. For ironworkers, decking operations carry the highest risk of injury.

Can a construction injury attorney help me claim compensation for loss of earning capacity if I am injured on a construction job? An experienced construction attorney will work to recover lost earnings, and seek compensation loss of earning capacity. For example, if you earn a regular salary, and because of your injury you miss several weeks or several months of work, you are entitled to be reasonably compensated for the entire loss of earnings from the time of your injury until you are able to return to full time work.

What kinds of expenses are involved in a construction site lawsuit? Although each case is unique, most construction site lawsuits involve fees for investigators, consultants and expert witnesses, including engineers and medical personnel, case analysis, photography, computer graphics, and other expenses associated with preparation of models and evidence. In addition there are costs associated with researching and preparing a case, deposing witnesses, and court costs.

How can I pay for a lawsuit? The usual arrangement for hiring a lawyer in a construction injury case is a contingent fee agreement. The attorney agrees to be paid a fee only if the client's case is ultimately successful, either by settlement out of court or by a judgment following a court proceeding. The attorney then receives a percentage of the final amount recovered. This fee arrangement is helpful for most people because it does not require the person bringing the case to pay any money up front. Often the attorney may also be able to front part or all of the costs of litigation until the conclusion of the case.

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