Falling Object Injuries on Chicago Construction Sites

Construction jobs are rated among the most hazardous occupations. The stats from various sources confirm that serious injuries and accidents in construction are quite common and much higher than in other industries.

Falling construction material debris is the second most common reason for most construction site accidents with injuries on job sites. Falling building debris and other various falling objects dropping from a great height can cause catastrophic damage, severely injuring and killing construction workers.

The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC help protect workers with injuries from falling object hazards in an attorney-client relationship.

Contact a construction accident lawyer at (888) 424-5757 if you have serious injuries from falling objects. We can file a workers’ compensation claim or case.

Reasons Why Falling Debris Strikes Construction Employees

Building materials being dropped by large cranes to lift heavy objects is another common reason for falling object incidents. The cranes used in construction sites are heavy and may often carry extremely heavy building materials.

These materials, including steel beams, bricks, and concrete blocks, can easily slip from the crane’s grip and hit nearby workers.

Falling objects on construction sites can be due to several reasons. Some of the primary reasons include:

• Lifting loads that are too heavy
• Failure to properly secure a tool or a machine
• Failure to follow occupational safety standards for overhead work
• Neglecting the use of safety devices and procedures that can stop building materials, tools, or objects from falling below
• Ill-prepared or unsupervised demolition
• No clear warning signs identifying falling object hazards

Also, some of the objects provided by third parties for use on the construction site may be extremely heavy and quite big. These objects can fall from great heights and severely injure or kill those working below when improperly handled.

The wind is another common cause of falling object incidents and drop hazards. Construction sites are usually located near tall structures that may attract strong winds during harsh weather conditions. Injuries caused by falling objects when winds blow very hard can lead to death to construction workers.

A poorly secured object is another common cause of objects falling. Construction sites can have a lot of heavy objects that are on the move most of the time.

These moving objects may include building materials, cranes, vehicles, toe boards, trucks, cement mixers, and more. Unsecured objects dropping from great heights cause more serious injuries or death to the construction worker in their path than any other hazards in any general industry.

Falling Object Statistics

According to the National Safety Council, falls are one of America’s leading causes of death. Shockingly, almost 30,000 people a year are killed due to falling objects.

Further, an estimated 600,000 people suffer an injury from a falling object each year.

Falling Object Protection

Protecting yourself from falling objects is critical in many professions. Employers are responsible for providing workers with proper safety gear and equipment to protect them from hazards such as heavy objects that could fall from heights, whether indoors or outdoors.

Construction Worker Personal Protective Equipment in Job Site Hazardous Areas

Fall protection to avoid being struck by falling objects include:

• Hard hats and helmets
• Debris nets
• Tool belt loops for hammers and other objects
• Tool lanyards that prevent tools from falling
• Safety glasses that protect workers
• Secured railed work platforms
• Head protection
• Gloves
• Posted warning signs identifying falling object hazards
• Other fall protection that prevent falling objects that could injure fellow workers

In any environment or work site where there is a risk of objects falling, it is important to wear the appropriate gear and hard hat to ensure you are safe and ready to prevent injury when possible.

Lawyers Specialized in Falling Object Accidents

Hurt on the job site? Contact us for a free initial consultation from our law offices if you or a family member were harmed by a dropped object, dropped tool, heavy machinery, or another large falling object.

Types of Falling Object Injuries Commonly Caused by Falling Debris on Construction Sites

Falling debris or other objects can lead to many injuries and construction accidents per labor statistics, some of which can be life-altering or even fatal.

Falling construction material injuring workers in falling object accidents could include:

• Broken bones, neck fractures, and spinal cord damage
• Head trauma and traumatic brain injuries
• Severe facial and head injuries
• Skull fractures
• Rashes
• Bruises
• Fractures
• Neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Lacerations
• Permanent injuries
• Quadriplegia, tetraplegia, & paraplegia(paralysis)
• Death

This summary does not list every risk you may encounter at work or object that could fall on you especially if you are on catch platforms or other dangerous areas.

Who Is Liable for Falling Objects Accidents on the Construction Site?

Several persons or parties, including the construction company and property owners, could be held liable for falling objects on the construction site.

If you have suffered severe falling object injuries due to a lack of safety standards, then you are well within your rights to seek compensation for the damages suffered.

When Someone Else’s Negligence Fails to Prevent Falling Objects

Several parties can be held liable for falling construction debris accidents depending on the unique facts of the accident.

Property owners, construction company (per general duty clause), contractor, sub-contractor, or construction site workers could be responsible for dangerous falling objects on construction sites.

Although, third parties, and equipment manufacturers could also be responsible for an injury caused by falling objects that occurred because of their negligence.

If you were hurt on the job site, then call us to discuss our prior results and how they may apply to your individual case. We have worked with many injured workers struck by tools, an object, or other items on the work site.

The risk of falling object hazards on a jobsite is always present. Employers should compensate people injured to ensure they can receive the medical treatment necessary to heal.

Obtain Compensation for Injuries Suffered Due to Falling Debris

Were you injured while working in the construction industry? Construction workers can get compensation for their falling objects injuries from workers’ compensation that compensates for injuries suffered at workplaces.

However, the injured employee must sign away their rights to obtain compensation through the workers’ compensation benefits program, forfeiting their right to file a lawsuit against their employer.

However, accidents with injuries caused by falling objects can be complicated, requiring an experienced lawyer who has experience in falling debris accidents and who will negotiate on your behalf with the insurer or the liable party.

Hire an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney to Resolve Your Falling Debris Accident Case

Were you injured on a construction site by falling tools or debris? Did you lose a loved one by a preventable death caused by another’s negligence?

Our falling object injury lawyers represent injured victims harmed in a construction accident to ensure they are compensated for all damages including:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering

Call us today at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone call) or use the contact form to schedule a free consultation.

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, our law firm accepts all personal injury cases and wrongful death lawsuits through contingency fee agreements. This agreement ensures you pay nothing until the legal matter is resolved through a negotiated settlement or jury trial award.

Resources:

• Construction Hazards | CDC
• Fatal Work-Related Injuries | BLS