When it comes to job site accidents, one of the most common environments at risk is construction sites. In fact, every construction worker faces a ten percent chance of injury every year. Sometimes, construction workers who suffer a job site accident aren't certain exactly who should be held liable for that accident. If you're wondering if the construction company might be liable for your injury, it's important that you understand the legal requirements for their liability. Here's a look at some of the things you should consider.
Were OSHA Standards Adhered To?
The Occupational Safety And Health Administration has strict standards that must be followed on job sites of all kinds, including construction sites. In most cases, construction companies and staff do well about following OSHA regulations and keeping worksites safe.
However, that's not to say that every job site is that way. In fact, some construction sites focus more on getting the job done in a timely manner and let some of the OSHA safety issues slide. If that happens on your job site and you are injured, you may be able to hold the construction company liable for creating an unsafe work environment.
Was There Sufficient Safety Oversight?
Construction sites are full of all sorts of safety hazards. As a result, there should always be safety oversight whenever anything potentially dangerous is happening. There should be adequate oversight for crane lifts, scaffolding use, and more.
If there is insufficient oversight on your construction site and you're injured as a result, the construction company may be found liable. It is their responsibility to provide that oversight for the staff, and when their failure to do so results in an injury, they are responsible.
Were You Provided With The Safety Equipment Needed?
One of the responsibilities of the construction company is to ensure that all of the employees have access to, and use, the safety gear required for protection on the site. If your injury occurred as a result of lacking necessary safety equipment, and you weren't provided with that equipment, that could lead to the construction company being held liable for your injuries.
Was The Staff Adequately Trained?
Training is an essential component of job site safety. Whether it's training on how to handle new equipment, how to follow proper safety procedures, or how to properly anchor yourself when on scaffolding, it's the responsibility of the construction company to ensure that everyone on the job site is adequately trained.
In addition to proper training for the equipment and tasks at hand, you should also be properly trained on how to recognize potential safety hazards, how to be safe around equipment in operation, and generally how to keep yourself and others on the job site safe.
If you and others on the job site were not provided with the proper safety training, and that lack of training led to your injury, you may be able to hold the construction company liable due to that lack of training and education.
The inherent risk on a construction site means that the construction company and its employees should be far more attentive to safety. If you've been injured in a job site accident, these are some of the ways that the construction company may be held liable. These aren't the only situations where the construction company could be considered liable, though. Reach out to a job site accident lawyer today for more information and to discuss your case, even if it doesn't fall under one of these categories. You may find that there are options available to pursue your case and seek restitution for your injuries.
Share28 May 2021
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