Construction Accident

A construction site accident can result in extremely serious injuries that may result in permanent or lifelong disabilities. According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), construction is the most dangerous industry in the United States. Construction sites have the potential for serious accidents, including falls, slip-trip-and-falls, trench cave-ins, scaffold collapses, falling debris, and equipment malfunctions. Construction accidents can result in catastrophic injuries such as limb amputations, blindness, head injury causing brain damage, spinal cord injuries (paralysis, quadriplegia, or paraplegia), shattered bones, or loss of hearing.

When workers suffer serious injuries on the job, they can seek compensation through the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. However, often, Oklahoma workers’ compensation benefits may be inadequate when it comes to compensating those who are catastrophically injured and may never be able to work again. If the injuries were caused by a third party other than the employer, the worker can also file a third-party claim. Examples of third parties include: general contractors, sub-contractors, equipment maintenance firms, property owners, or manufacturers of defective products.

It is the employer’s legal obligation to maintain a safe workplace and ensure that the workers are properly trained to do their jobs. Employees must also receive training pertaining to safety standards at the work sites. All work sites should be inspected properly to make sure there are no hazards.

Whether you are a crane operator, painter, electrician, iron worker, or sheet metal worker, the experienced Oklahoma construction accident attorneys at The Maples Law Firm can help you better understand your legal rights and options if you are injured on the job. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

As record heat continues across much of Oklahoma, it is important for those who work outdoors, such as construction workers, to take steps to avoid heat-related illnesses. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a nationwide outreach for designed to educate laborers and employers about heat illnesses.

OSHA warns that those who work in hot, humid conditions are at risk of suffering heat illness. The risk is greater for those doing strenuous jobs or using bulky protective clothing, like many construction workers must do. Heat illnesses occur because the temperature of the body has risen too much and the body’s own systems are no longer able to bring the temperature back down. Heat-related problems range from heat rash and heat cramps to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which is deadly. Anyone suspected of suffering from heat stroke should be given medical attention immediately. To help prevent heat illnesses, workers should remember three key factors: water, rest, and shade. Outdoor workers should drink water every 15 minutes, even if they are not thirsty and take breaks in a well-ventilated, shady area. Workers and employers should know the signs of heat illnesses and have an emergency plan in place.

It is the responsibility of employers to take adequate safety precautions for their employees. In hot weather, that means that construction workers and other outdoor laborers have sufficient access to water and enough time to rest out of the sun. If you or a loved one has suffered an accident or injury due to the negligence of your employer, call the Oklahoma construction accident attorneys at The Maples Law Firm. Our lawyers will protect your legal rights and get you the best possible outcome for your case. Call our law offices today at 1-888-226-6159 to get started.

As falls are the leading cause of death for workers in the field of residential construction, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has increased the standard of protection with a new directive. Starting June 16, OSHA will begin phasing in new regulations that will require construction companies to provide residential construction workers with fall protection. Now, any workers doing jobs six feet high or more above the next lowest level must have fall protection, such as warning lines, guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems (safety harnesses that secure the wearer to an anchor point). Construction companies will have three months to adjust to the new regulations before citations will be issued. If after the phase in period the construction company is not in compliance with the new rules, they will be cited. The OSHA website has a variety of resources to help companies and employees understand the new guidelines. Visit http://www.osha.gov and click on Compliance Guidance for Residential Construction.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are required to provide safe and healthy working environments for their employees. If you or a loved one has been involved in a construction accident in Oklahoma because an employer failed to provide adequate safety measures, call the Maples Law Firm. Our Oklahoma City construction accident lawyers can help you determine the right course of action and get you the best possible outcome for your case. Call 1-888-226-6159 for a free consultation.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is investigating an accident involving a crane that collapsed while performing maintenance on a dam in Ponca City, Oklahoma, a news story from KOAM 7 reports. The construction accident occurred on Thursday, January 6 around 10:30 p.m. Thankfully, the crane operator was able to escape before the machine collapsed into the water and was not injured. At the time of the article’s publication, no conclusions had been reached about the cause of the accident.

While no injuries were sustained in this Oklahoma construction accident, it is all too common for serious injuries and even death to occur when workers operate heavy machinery such as cranes, bull dozers, and other construction equipment. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2009, there were 818 construction-related fatalities in the country.

As the investigation into this Oklahoma construction accident continues, officials may want to look into the events that led up to the accident. For example, was the crane properly maintained and were all rules and regulations followed as they should have been? While it is a miracle that nobody was hurt, a proper investigation should be performed to ensure negligence was not involved.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident in Oklahoma, it would be wise to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. At The Maples Law Firm, our Oklahoma City construction accident injury lawyers will work hard to ensure that your rights are protected. We will examine every detail of the events leading up to your injury and build a strong case on your behalf in order to garner you the compensation you deserve. Call The Maples Law Firm today at 1-888-429-0609 for a free consultation.