Industrial Accidents Resources and Information

     Industrial accidents- occur all too often, in a variety of workplace environments.  Heavy equipment operators, machinery workers, factory employees, chemical/biological industry personnel and construction site workers are faced with a wide variety of dangers—and a heightened risk of work-related injuries.  Industrial and construction workers regularly face potential scaffolding accidents, crane injuries, moving machine parts, hazardous chemicals, and unsafe working conditions.  They have higher fatality rates than any other employees in any United States industry.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the most recent "lost-workday" case rate for the construction industry was 5.7 per l00 full-time workers, the highest of the major economic sectors.

     Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that over the past ten years 9605 people have died in construction-related accidents.  In 1992 the number of construction deaths was an astounding 919.  In 1992, more than half of the construction accident deaths (544) were attributed to males between the ages of 20-24.

     Industrial accidents may result in severe personal injuries such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injury, quadriplegia, paraplegia, fractured necks, back, bones and death.  Industrial workers are also exposed to potential long term inflictions such as mesothelioma from asbestos exposure; and cancer from chemicals and silicosis.  Due to the severe nature of such injuries, industrial accidents are often the subject of personal injury, product liability and wrongful death lawsuits.

     Unfortunately, many states workers' compensation laws severely limit recovery for a construction site accident. State laws that preclude an employee from suing an employer also generally limit the employee to a workers' compensation system which, depending on the state, may not provide compensation for pain and suffering. Many of these laws may place specific limits on how long an injured worker may collect benefits. Such limits may be true even if the worker is injured indefinitely.

     In order to receive compensation that accounts for pain and suffering, a plaintiff may have to prove that a party other than the employer is responsibility for the injury-causing accident. Knowledge of federal or state regulations governing construction sites is imperative when developing theories against general contractors and subcontractors that may allow for legal action when it appears that such laws would prevent recovery.  Your legal representative should have experience in the inspection of construction sites, identification of critical witnesses and preservation of importance evidence.  Although a myriad of laws exist which may impact your ability to recover for a worksite accident, a qualified attorney can help "level the playing field" by providing accident victims with information regarding the practical and legal aspects of personal injury law, industrial accident and construction site claims.  

     For a review of your claim from please choose a practice area from the left, or, click the "Free Consultation" link on the right and completely fill out the form provided.  Your submission will be sent to a participating attorney, who will personally review your claim and/or may refer you to a lawyer who may contact you to discuss your legal options.