San Mateo is known for its vibrant economy and ever-growing
urban environment. The city has a population of 99,884 individuals, the median
age of which is 38.1. This means that many of the individuals are at the stage
of building their careers and families.
With several bustling areas nearby, San Mateo is ideal for
business and residential development. When it comes to development,
construction workers are the driving force of the industry.
Working at a construction site can be dangerous if specific
protocols are not followed. Failure to follow these protocols can lead to
construction accidents that could severely affect a worker’s life.
Before diving into when to contact construction accident lawyers in San Mateo, let’s better
understand construction accidents.
What are Construction Accidents?
Construction accidents are mishaps that occur on
construction sites and can lead to injuries. This applies not just to
construction workers but also to general people, such as passersby or visitors.
Why do Construction Accidents Occur?
Construction accidents often occur due to unsafe working
conditions, a lack of proper safety measures, and other factors. The high-risk
nature of a construction site increases the chances of such fatalities, which
is why it is important that the construction company and the workers follow
proper Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
When to Contact a Construction Accident Attorney?
If a construction worker is involved in any of the listed
categories of accidents, the worker or someone they know must contact a
construction accident lawyer.
Electrocution
Construction requires the usage of heavy machinery and power
tools, which means that there needs to be ample sources of electricity to power
them. Electrocution occurs when a construction worker receives a dose of
electricity, and in many cases, the voltage of the electricity can be lethal.
Some reasons for electrocution are:
- Contact with power lines
- Damaged power tools or machinery
- Unsafe wiring
- Improper grounding of electrical tools
Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals
If a worker has been exposed to hazardous chemicals for a
prolonged period and has not been provided the proper equipment that OSHA
recommends, then they are likely to face health issues like:
- Nausea
- Eyes, throat, or skin irritations
- Breathing difficulties
- Fatigue
Disability and Amputation
Construction accidents often have catastrophic aftermaths
that change a person’s life forever. As they use heavy machinery and work in
highly elevated areas, a simple mishap can lead to permanent disability or
amputation.
Some causes of accidents that could lead to disabilities or
amputation are:
- Lack of training
- Lack of safety equipment
- Machine accidents
- Power tool mishaps
Injury due to Defective Equipment
Although OSHA lays out proper regulations, there are many
sites where the basic safety requirements are not met. When a site has pieces
of equipment that do not meet the guidelines, the following accidents are
likely to happen:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Eye and ear injuries
- Nerve and tendon injuries
- Burns
Repetitive Motion Injuries
Repetitive motion injuries can occur due to various
activities that require a worker to do a physically straining, monotonous job.
Lifting heavy objects, hammering, or drilling can seem harmless, but in the
long term, they can affect a worker’s muscle and bone health. Some examples of
repetitive motion injuries are:
- Wrist injuries (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome, de Quervain syndrome)
- Arm injuries (e.g., tennis elbow)
- Finger injuries (e.g., Raynaud’s syndrome)
- Back injuries
Death
As established before, working at a construction site can be
hazardous. Most of the above-listed injuries can be a cause of death at a
construction site. OSHA has a list of the ‘fatal four,’ which are prevention
tips to avoid death from the leading causes at a construction site.
Why contact a Construction Accident Attorney?
Hiring a construction accident attorney is essential to
safeguarding the victim’s rights and ensuring that they receive fair
compensation. Attorneys have the expertise to help navigate the legal
proceedings that follow a construction accident.
In this way, the victim can rest assured that their economic
and non-economic losses are being handled and can focus on recovering from the
accident.
