Fires and Explosions at Construction Sites in South Carolina
Fires and explosions are frighteningly common at construction sites. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), firefighters responded to an average of 4,300 construction site fires in a recent five-year period. Those blazes led to at least five deaths and 62 injuries — and disturbingly, the number of fires in construction zones is growing.
Injuries from fires and explosions can be catastrophic, leading to burns, brain injuries, facial trauma, orthopedic injuries, and vision and hearing loss. Workers may face long recovery periods or completely lose the ability to work, putting them at risk of serious financial hardships.
In South Carolina, construction workers could receive financial relief through a workers’ compensation claim or third-party personal injury lawsuit. The attorneys at Wilson Law Group, LLC can identify your options and help you pursue the money you deserve for your losses. Contact us today for a free consultation.
What Fire Hazards Exist at Construction Sites?
It doesn’t take much to ignite a fire on a construction site. One spark from a soldering iron could set an entire structure ablaze. The most common fire hazards on construction sites include:
- Electrical distribution and lighting equipment
- Temporary heating devices
- Cooking equipment, such as hot plates
- Torches, burners, or welding tools
- Flammable or combustible materials
- Cordless and battery-powered equipment
- Combustible dust
- Pressurized containers
- Petroleum gas
- Faulty or exposed wiring
Safety Measures
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requires employers to develop a fire safety plan to reduce the risks of fires and explosions on their job sites. Preventive measures should address issues such as storing flammable liquids, placement of temporary heaters, and supervision over who can use explosives during construction, demolition, and renovation work.
Can I Sue for Fire and Explosion Injuries?
South Carolina allows most employees to collect workers’ compensation benefits after an on-the-job injury. Workers’ comp covers the cost of medical treatment and replaces a portion of the employee’s lost wages until they can return to work. These benefits are available to employees regardless of who is at fault for the accident. However, there is a trade-off. In exchange for no-fault benefits, employees cannot sue their employers for additional compensation.
However, employees may have the right to file a lawsuit if a third party (not the employer or a coworker) caused the fire or explosion. In construction, a third party might be a subcontractor, general contractor, utility company, or another party whose negligence led to the injury. You should talk to an experienced lawyer to learn whether you have a valid third-party claim. If so, you could receive more compensation than you can from workers’ compensation alone.
What Compensation Can I Receive?
Workers’ compensation benefits include payment of all reasonable medical expenses and partial wage replacement while you recover. However, workers’ comp does not reimburse you for the full value of your lost wages or non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Those losses are recoverable through a third-party personal injury claim, along with compensation for lost enjoyment of life, lost quality of life, and other intangible losses. Keep in mind that if your personal injury case wins, you will need to repay the amount you receive in workers’ comp benefits from the settlement.
Contact an Experienced S.C. Construction Accident Attorney Today
Construction fires and explosions can result in some of the worst injuries. The legal team at Wilson Law Group, LLC provides comprehensive and compassionate care to Palmetto State workers as they recover from their injuries and rebuild their lives. If you suffered injuries on a construction site in The Midlands, contact us today to speak with a S.C. construction accident attorney. There’s no charge for the first case review.