Catastrophic Workplace Injuries in Construction – What You Can Do if You Suffer a Catastrophic Workplace Injury in Decatur
There is no doubt that construction workers face some of the most challenging and dangerous work in Decatur today. Construction workers are often subject to extreme conditions, heavy manual labor, sharp tools, heights, severe temperatures, road hazards, and other dangers that can put them at risk of harm to life and limb on the job. More worrisome still is the potential for a construction worker to suffer a catastrophic workplace injury. But what are catastrophic injuries, and what are the primary causes of catastrophic injuries in construction work?
Catastrophic Injuries in Decatur Workers’ Compensation Cases
Under Georgia workers’ compensation laws, a catastrophic injury is one that is typically life-altering, very serious, and disabling. Catastrophic injuries under Georgia workers’ compensation laws include injuries to the spinal cord, injuries that require amputation of a limb or hand, loss of vision (blindness), certain severe burns (rising to the level of second-or third-degree), and brain damage. An injury may also be considered to be catastrophic for the purposes of a Georgia workers’ compensation case if it prevents the worker from doing their prior work, or any work, as defined by the law.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Construction Work Accidents
According to Forbes online, serious accidents happen in construction work due to a number of different causes. Some of the most common causes include:
- Falls (falling off of equipment, falling from heights, falling into pits or holes);
- “Struck-by” accidents (being struck by an object or falling debris);
- “Caught-between” accidents (being caught between objects or heavy items);
- Motor vehicle accidents;
- Fires and explosions;
- Ground or floor cave-ins;
- Electrocution;
- Accidents caused by welding;
- Heavy equipment accidents;
- Accidents involving cranes; and
- Exposure to toxic and dangerous chemicals or contaminants.
In addition to these causes, construction industry employers may not implement or follow local and federal safety regulations, which can result in deadly workplace accidents.
Where to Turn if You Have Been Injured at Work in Decatur
As demonstrated above, there are a number of different hazards that construction industry workers in Decatur must look out for on the job to avoid a catastrophic workplace injury. However, no matter how diligent and careful a worker may be, workplace accidents still can and do happen.
If you were injured in a catastrophic workplace accident in Decatur, or another type of workplace accident, and you are interested in finding out about your entitlement to Georgia workers’ compensation benefits, it is best to chat with an experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyer about your rights and options. The experienced Georgia workers’ compensation lawyers at the O’Connell Law Firm offer a free and confidential consultation to learn about your workplace accident case and to see if they can help fight to get you Georgia workers’ compensation benefits due. The lawyers at the O’Connell Law Firm represent Decatur workers on a contingency basis, which means they only get paid if they settle or win your case. Contact the experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyers at the O’Connell Law Firm and speak to a lawyer about your rights today.
Source:
forbes.com/advisor/legal/personal-injury/construction-accident/
