(Newswire.net — March 31, 2021) — A New Jersey worker died after his excavator tipped over and fell into the Arthur Kill River in Linden. Emergency responders from all over the area descended on the scene, fighting to free him from the cab, submerged in 40-degree water. The NYPD’s dive team was finally able to extricate him from the vehicle, but by that time, an hour had passed with the man subjected to near-freezing temperatures. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
Construction – A Very Risky Industry
Simpson and Brown, who had the man on their payroll, left no comment on the unfortunate accident. The company faces an open OSHA investigation due to an earlier safety incident in August 2020. The worker, Dan Artz, was 55 years old at the time of his death. The day before the deadly accident, he had told friends and family that the company was becoming too dangerous to work for, and he was considering leaving.
Construction accidents are an unfortunate part of the industry, which has long been regarded as one of the most dangerous industries in terms of worker fatalities. Of every 5,000 on-the-job deaths, 20 percent of them are construction workers. This means one in five workplace deaths are construction-related. That’s a sobering statistic that illustrates just how important it is for companies to prioritize worker safety.
The top four causes of construction-related fatalities are falls (33.5%), being hit with objects (11.1%), electrocution (8.5%), and getting caught under or between objects (5.5%) According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and construction accidents accounted for 47% of all fatal accidents in 2018.
Even when construction workers don’t die on the job, they can still sustain debilitating injuries in the course of their work. One in every 10 construction workers is injured annually, with the largest percentage of injured workers falling in the 25-34-year-old age group.
Why Construction Companies Fail to Protect Workers
Construction companies have a responsibility to ensure a safe work experience for their employees. The problem of workplace safety is such a huge one that OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) will fine a company up to $70k per incident.
One fatal injury can cost more than $900,000 in medical bills, and workers’ compensation insurance for construction companies is more expensive than any other industry.
One would think that with these sobering statistics, companies would make more diligent efforts to protect their workers and themselves. Still, these injuries persist, with the workers the collateral damage of companies that try to cut corners to save on costs.
Construction companies have a duty to provide adequate safety equipment, ideal working conditions, and adequate workplace training that can reduce or prevent these accidents. The case of the worker falling into the river in his excavator was, unfortunately, one of only many such fatal accidents that will occur this year.
Final Thoughts
If you have been hurt in an accident due to your employer’s negligence, you are entitled to compensation. Construction work requires physical labor, and even a small injury can prevent you from working and cause long-term effects. You may have to deal with hefty medical bills, lost income, and chronic pain.
It is important to remember that your employer has a duty to create safe working conditions that will allow you to work without the ever-constant threat of injury. There are several oversight organizations that regulate how employees are supposed to be protected while on the job. When your employer violates these rules, they are liable for the injuries that may result.
Don’t suffer needlessly for someone else’s negligence. Call a construction accident attorney and file a worker’s compensation claim for your injuries. We will fight for your rights. Contact us for a free consultation today.
Author Bio
Early in his journalism career, Kerry L. Tucker had a revelation: there were not enough experts reporting on law issues. Legal matters are part of daily life. Yet, there seems to be a general aversion towards them. One of the main reasons for this is that the convoluted legal language is difficult for many people to follow. Therefore, he decided to change how the law is perceived by the public. Throughout his career, he met with many people who shared their personal stories with him. Some of these hit him harder. One of the cases that stayed with him and influenced his future career development was a car accident case involving a child. From then on, he decided to zero in on car accident lawsuits.