A Lawyer's Guide to Construction Site Accidents in North Carolina
North Carolina Construction Accident Lawyer Explains Construction Accident and Injury Laws
As North Carolina continues to grow and redevelop, construction sites are a common fixture across the state. Unfortunately, construction sites are some of the most dangerous jobsites for workers and for members of the public. The construction process on its own can be dangerous, but there is also the potential for negligence or irresponsible practices to result in accidents.
On average, once every 10 days a construction worker is killed on the job in North Carolina. Even more construction workers are injured on site. Our team of construction jobsite accident attorneys knows all too well how devastating the aftereffects of these incidents can be.
In this guide, we break down the most common types of construction accidents and injuries as well as what to do if you or a loved one is injured in a construction accident.
Common Types of Construction Accidents in North Carolina
The number of potential risks for workers on construction sites feels countless. Below we break down the most common construction accidents and worker injuries in North Carolina.
“Fatal Four” Causes of Construction Worker Deaths
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Construction Outreach Program identifies the “Focus Four” or “Fatal Four” causes of construction workplace injuries:
Falls
Caught-in or caught-between
Struck-by and
Electrocution.
Construction Fall Injuries in North Carolina
The nature of construction sites establishes the potential for fall injuries—often, the construction workers are the very people tasked with creating structures that are safe from accidental falls. Fall accidents are often complex, which means they can result in severe, fatal injuries to the workers.
Preventing fall injuries on construction sites is challenging, as the potential hazards must be regularly assessed and addressed to ensure safety. Employers must abide by Subpart M from OSHA, which outlines the requirements and criteria for fall protection for all workers working at six feet or higher.
Potential precautions for fall accidents include:
Guardrail systems
Safety nets
Personal fall protection systems
Personal protection equipment
Appropriate training
Warning lines
Safe workplace practices
Fall accidents can happen to even the most experienced construction workers. Workers may fall off roofs, scaffolding, ladders, unfinished structures, and equipment. The outcome of the fall accident is determined by a number of factors, with the height of the fall being the most prominent consideration.
Caught-in or Caught-between Accidents in North Carolina
Caught-in accidents or caught-between accidents are when a person is being squeezed, caught, crushed, pinched, or compressed between two or more objects, or between parts of an object, according to OSHA. This type of construction accident can be particularly devastating by definition, potentially resulting in death and thus landing OSHA’s Fatal Four list.
Construction sites are bustling with machinery, infrastructure, and traffic that pose a threat of caught-in or caught-between accidents. If a machine malfunctions and fails to turn off, it may trap part of a worker’s arm. A large piece of construction equipment may pin an unspotted worker while being operated. A trench may collapse while a worker is inside it completing a task.
When a caught-by injury occurs, the injured construction worker must be aided swiftly and effectively to prevent the accident escalating to result in a fatality. Employers must ensure that the equipment on the construction site is safe and in operating order and workers must be adequately trained.
Construction Struck-by Accidents in North Carolina
Struck-by accidents involve a construction worker being impacted by a piece of equipment, vehicle, object, or debris. Vehicles cause a large number of these struck-by accidents on construction sites, as these trucks and specialized construction equipment are typically large, producing blind spots, and require special operation, resulting in accidental misuse.
For example, a bulldozer that is left on a sloped ground may accidentally roll and hit a construction worker, or a construction worker who is not wearing the appropriate high–visibility gear may not be seen by someone hauling material in a large truck.
Another major cause of struck-by injuries is falling debris and flying objects. The CDC explains, “Tools, materials, and other objects can fall from roofs, cranes, and scaffolds, but even objects falling from lower levels such as a truck bed or dolly can lead to injuries.” Even small objects can cause serious injuries and fatalities when they impact construction workers with a high level of force.
Construction Site Electrocution Accidents in North Carolina
Electricity is a well-known hazard on construction sites, since the building process can involve working with dangerous levels of electricity. Electrocution can happen, though, when a construction worker is unaware of an electrical hazard, especially if it’s not properly marked.
OSHA provides extensive regulations when it comes to electrical safety on construction sites in order to help prevent electrocution. Electrocution can happen when hazards are not properly marked, tools are poorly maintained, or wiring is exposed, to name just a few risks.
While electrocution accidents are sometimes fatal, they can also result in survival with electrical burns. Recovering from a workplace burn injury can be extremely challenging.
Electrical burns have the unique potential to occur inside the body, which may not be initially apparent. These incidents can also impact the internal organs like the heart, kidneys, and brain, requiring immediate and thorough medical treatment.
Other Construction Site Accidents and Injuries
The groundbreaking pace of development in North Carolina and across the country has led to new technologies and techniques being brought to construction sites every day. These innovations, along with other common workplace accidents, can lead to construction worker injuries and fatalities beyond the “Focus Four” that OSHA defines.
Other types of construction accidents include:
Slip and Falls. Not to be confused with major fall accidents, slip and falls occur when a construction worker trips or slips and falls due to debris, slick surfaces, clutter, and uneven surfaces. These incidents are common but can have serious consequences depending on the severity of the accident.
Equipment Accidents. The construction industry relies on tools of all kinds, including power tools and heavy machinery. Construction equipment that is operated improperly or that is faulty can cause lacerations, amputations, and other injuries.
Chemical Exposures. Chemicals and toxins that are present on construction sites can seriously harm workers. Those chemicals can include lead, formaldehyde, mold, asbestos, PVC, and heavy metals.
Fires and Explosions. Construction sites utilize combustible and explosive materials that can lead to accidents. Workplace fire injuries and explosion injuries can have devastating consequences, involving serious pain, disfigurement, and missed work.
Overexertion. Construction jobs can be laborious, with repeated, challenging tasks that can eventually lead to injury.
Construction sites are a hotbed for workplace injuries. At Counsel Carolina, we believe that those injured workers deserve appropriate compensation for their pain and suffering, whether that’s achieved through a workers compensation claim or further legal avenues.
What to Do If You’re Injured in a Construction Accident
When a construction accident occurs, it can be hard to keep a clear head about what to do next. First and foremost, ensure that any emergency procedures are followed and immediate medical attention that is needed is delivered. Report the injury to your employer.
Next, be sure to keep your own detailed records of the injury, including the date and time of the accident, the circumstances leading up to the accident, and any medical treatment received. Consider documenting this with photos, videos, and witness statements.
The next step you’ll take is filling out a workers compensation form. If you’re a construction worker injured in a workplace accident in North Carolina, you’ll benefit from hiring a workers compensation lawyer to negotiate a fair settlement for your injuries and help you through the next steps.
Depending on the nature of the event, you might also be eligible for third-party compensation. Schedule a free consultation with the legal team at Counsel Carolina to learn about your options and the path forward.
Fatal Construction Accident Statistics in North Carolina
According to the North Carolina Department of Labor, the overall number of workplace and related injuries are at a historic low—yet construction workers are still subject to dangerous environments that can lead to injuries and even death.
Workplace safety advocates have continued to dissect this crisis, seeking safer environments and more information on these workplace accidents on construction sites. The Carolina Public Press details, “The construction industry has had the highest number of deaths in the state almost every year for the past 14 years.”
Nationally, the numbers are similarly bleak. In 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 5,486 fatal work injuries across the country, with nearly 20% of those deaths occurring in the construction industry.
If the employer was negligent in one of these deaths, a wrongful death claim may be pursued by a loved one.
Work with Experienced North Carolina Construction Accident Lawyers
Construction site accidents and injuries can be shocking and traumatic. Whether it was you who was injured or a loved one who lost their life, you’ll likely feel overwhelmed with what to do next. That’s where our legal team can help.
Our North Carolina construction accident attorneys can coordinate with your medical provider, employer, and the relevant insurance companies to navigate what the next steps are for you, ensuring you receive the compensation and support you deserve.
To discuss a workers’ compensation claim or construction site injury with one of our attorneys, contact us to schedule a free consultation.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Raleigh Construction Accident Lawyers
Tragically, construction site accidents are increasingly common in North Carolina. If you or a loved one were injured on a construction site in North Carolina - whether they were working or just a bystander - it is important to speak with an experienced construction site injury attorney who can help you understand your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve. Our Raleigh work injury lawyers and personal injury lawyers are ready to help.
