Common Causes of Construction Accidents in South Carolina
Construction is one of the most dangerous occupations in South Carolina. Property owners and site managers are responsible for ensuring safe conditions for workers, contractors, visitors, and anyone who passes in the vicinity of a construction zone. People can get seriously hurt when these parties fail or refuse to keep these areas safe and secure.
Construction accidents commonly result in painful physical injuries, costly medical expenses, and other life-changing complications. In South Carolina, you may be able to recoup your losses by filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the negligent party.
At Wilson Law Group, LLC, our South Carolina construction injury attorneys can pursue maximum compensation for you while you focus on your health and wellbeing. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Construction Accident Statistics in South Carolina
Although fatal accidents in the South Carolina construction industry have decreased significantly in recent years, construction workers remain some of the most at-risk laborers in the state.
The following statistics from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) illustrate how dangerous construction work can be.
- In one recent year, 23 people died in construction accidents in the Palmetto State.
- About 1,000 construction workers suffered nonfatal injuries.
- The private construction industry had the highest number of worker fatalities among all industries in South Carolina.
- More than 65 percent of construction workers who died in fatal work accidents were specialty trade contractors, such as plumbers and electricians.
- Construction and extraction workers had the second-highest rate of nonfatal occupational injuries, just behind transportation workers.
- Construction workers suffered nearly 77 percent of all fatal work injuries within the construction and extraction occupational group.
Common Types of Construction Site Accidents
Here are some of the most common types of construction site accidents in South Carolina:
- Transportation accidents – Transportation accidents are commonplace on construction sites along public roads. Still, these incidents can occur wherever there are large, unwieldy vehicles, such as forklifts, cranes, bulldozers, and tanker trucks.
- Slips, trips, and falls – A slip and fall or trip and fall on a construction site can result in serious injuries, particularly when workers come in contact with hard surfaces, rusted metal, or sharp debris. Falls from high places, such as ladders and scaffolds, can cause catastrophic injuries.
- Falling and flying objects – When workers or supervisors are careless on a construction site, tools, bits of debris, and other hazardous objects may fall and strike an unsuspecting worker or bystander. When these objects are large or move quickly, they can hit or crush people and cause life-altering injuries and disabilities.
- Heavy machinery accidents – Heavy machinery and construction equipment need careful maintenance. Faulty components, inadequate guarding, and other failures to maintain heavy equipment can lead to severe injuries when workers get caught in or crushed by mechanical parts.
- Trench and scaffold collapse – Trenches and scaffolds are temporary structures on many construction sites. When assembled hastily or carelessly, these structures can collapse without warning and cause severe crushing, falling, and entrapment injuries.
- Fires and explosions – Uncontrolled fires and explosions can result from poor demolition jobs, shoddy electrical installations, and other subpar work. Workers caught in fires or explosions can suffer severe burns, shock wave injuries, and inhalation injuries.
- Hazardous exposure – Exposure to open circuits or power sources on construction sites can lead to serious electric shocks or fatal electrocution. Construction workers can also suffer from dangerous exposure to toxic substances and excessive heat, light, or noise.
How Do Construction Accidents Happen?
Most construction site accidents in South Carolina occur due to negligence, recklessness, or intentionally dangerous conduct. Common causes of construction accidents include:
- Slip-and-fall hazards, such as cluttered walkways and unattended spills or debris
- Lack of appropriate fall protection for workers on scaffolds or elevated structures
- Inadequate protection against falling objects for people at ground level
- Lack of safety training or proper instruction from owners or supervisors
- Missing, broken, or inadequate safety guards on power tools or equipment
- Lack of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), like earplugs or hard hats
- Insufficient signage or barriers to protect civilians from construction hazards
Liability for Construction Accidents
If you suffered a work-related injury during a construction accident, you might be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to cover your medical care and a portion of your lost wages. Employees covered by workers’ comp generally cannot sue their employers for negligence. In exchange, they are entitled to no-fault benefits, meaning they do not have to prove that anyone is liable for their injuries to receive compensation.
If workers’ compensation insurance does not cover you, you could be entitled to file a construction accident lawsuit against the party responsible for your injuries. Any of the following parties may be partially or fully liable for a South Carolina construction accident:
- A property owner
- A negligent vendor or subcontractor
- Defective equipment manufacturers
- Negligent engineers or architects
A construction injury attorney from Wilson Law Group, LLC, can investigate your case and determine every party that should be held liable for your injuries. In some cases, you could have both a valid workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury claim.
What to Do If You are in a Construction Accident
Take the following steps to protect your health and your right to pursue compensation for your injuries and related losses after a construction accident:
- Alert your employer or the site’s supervisor of the incident.
- Seek prompt medical attention for your injuries. If you were hurt on the job, your employer can choose your treating physician.
- Follow your doctor’s orders.
- Gather evidence, such as photos and witness statements.
- Keep track of documentation like medical bills, pay stubs, rehabilitation receipts, and other accident-related losses.
- Contact a knowledgeable construction site injury attorney.
Contact Our Construction Injury Attorneys in South Carolina
If you need help in the aftermath of a S.C. construction accident, reach out to Wilson Law Group, LLC today. Our trusted team of proven personal injury lawyers can answer your questions and fight for maximum compensation for your losses.
With more than 30 years of combined experience, you can count on our lawyers to deliver high-quality, results-oriented legal representation that demands maximum compensation for your losses. Call or contact us for a free case review.