According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), about 15 construction workers die each day. The same source goes onto say that one out of every five worker deaths is in the construction sector.
In 2019 (the last time such a study was conducted), OSHA said that 5,333 construction workers died while on the job. The organization acknowledges that the construction sector is among the deadliest workforces.
Various Hazards for Construction Workers
There are many hazards that threaten the safety of construction workers. Some of these hazards are due to the nature of the job, while others are the result of negligence.
Per OSHA, some common hazards on construction sites include:
- Heights
- Being hit by heavy equipment
- Unguarded machinery
- Asbestos
- Silica dust
Categories of Construction Worker Fatalities
The dangers of construction work are so significant that OSHA has created safety training materials that identify the four most common causes of worker fatalities.
These include:
- Falls
- Being caught in or between objects
- Being struck by falling objects
- Electrocutions
Pursuing a Wrongful Death Claim
We can help your family file a wrongful death claim if you lost a loved one to a construction accident.
We will do the following to build your case:
- Determine the liable party
- Collect evidence to prove liability and your losses
- File any necessary paperwork for you
- Negotiate for fair compensation
- Ensure your case complies with any state laws or deadlines
- Take your case to court, if you are eligible to do so
- Advise you on your legal options moving forward
If another party (like an insurance company or your loved one’s employer) asks you to make statements or give information, you can leave this communication to us.
Additionally, if your case needs to go to court in order to recover fair compensation, we will prepare your case for trial.
We Can Partner with Field Experts to Build Your Case
We can also work with third-party field consultants who can give us more insight into the details of your case. We can use their testimony to support your side of the story.
Some of these consultants may include:
- Accident reconstruction specialists. These experts use computer modeling software to prove how accidents happen.
- Healthcare professionals. We can talk to doctors about your loved one’s condition and how it may have occurred.
- Construction experts. We may talk to veterans of the construction industry who can provide us with more information about your loved one’s passing.
- We may talk to these experts about the cost of your damages, even those that have not happened yet.
You will not have to talk to any of these professionals. Our team will take their statements for you.
Forms of Compensation You Can Seek in a Wrongful Death Case
If you lost a loved one who was working on a construction site, you may be able to seek compensation for the following costs and losses:
- Medical expenses. This includes all of the necessary treatment that your loved one needed before their passing. This could include things like life support, hospice, and surgery.
- Lost wages. This accounts for your loved one’s lost wages.
- Loss of consortium. If your late loved one was your spouse, you could recover compensation for the loss of their companionship and affection.
- Funeral expenses. You could seek damages for your loved one’s funeral and burial. Cremation and embalming are included under this category, as well.
- Loss of parental guidance. Minor children of the decedent can receive funds to account for the cost of losing a parent.
We can explain what other forms of compensation you may be able to pursue in your case. We can use your loved one’s medical records, testimony from their doctors, and other documentation to prove the extent of your losses.
How the Statute of Limitations Could Affect Your Case
Depending on the details of your case, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the party that was responsible for your loved one’s passing.
According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, you generally have two years from the date of your loved one’s passing to file your wrongful death lawsuit.
We recommend getting started as early as you can with your case. By acting early, you can protect your legal rights.
Call in the Strong Arm to Fight for You
Unfortunately, construction workers die more often in occupational accidents than workers in different industries. At Loncar Lyon Jenkins, we are passionate about helping injured workers and the families of construction workers seek justice and compensation.
You do not have to be alone in your case. The Strong Arm can stand beside you every step of the way.
Call us for a free consultation to learn how we can begin fighting for you today. You can reach us at (877) 239-4878.
