Construction Worker Accidents

In Nevada, construction work revitalizes the local and state economies. For Las Vegas, it has been one of the primary foundations of the local economy, with new hotels, casinos and other attractions calling on this industry.

But it’s a dirty job that poses unique dangers for construction workers who labor under the desert sun. As a construction worker, you face the possibility of accidental injuries or death each day.

You may experience a range of injuries while at work, ranging from mild contusions or sprains to serious and life-altering injuries that can lead to long-term disability.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, the leading causes of construction worker injuries in 2014 were:

• Falls. These were the most common in 2014, accounting for nearly 40% of the injuries related to the construction industry. These included falls from scaffolds with faulty safety harnesses or poor safety prevention measures. Unmarked or unsecured utility trenches also cause these types of injuries.
  
• Electrocutions. There were 74 of these injuries reported in 2014, making up 8.2% of all construction injuries. Common causes of these injuries included live wires that weren’t grounded, faulty equipment, inadequate tools, poorly marked construction zones and poor lighting at the sites.
  
• Struck by object. Tools and materials easily can strike someone on the head causing severe brain or spinal injuries, even if the victim is wearing safety equipment. OSHA reported 73 of these cases in 2014.
  

Many of these injuries could have been prevented had safety been a priority for supervisors and companies more concerned with their bottom lines than the health of their workers. While accidents are considered one of the prices paid for construction work, those that could have been prevented are most costly for victims like you.