High Rate of Job Injuries in Construction Industry

 Posted on September 13, 2021 in Workers' Compensation

There are more than 11 million workers employed in the construction industry in the United States. While working in the industry can be a lucrative career, it can also be a dangerous one. The construction industry has one of the highest rates of worker injuries and death. If you have been injured in a construction accident, a Santa Clara County workers’ compensation lawyer can help you get the workers’ compensation benefits you may be entitled to.

High Injury Rate

According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), 1 in 10 construction workers sustain work-related injuries each year. Fall hazards are the leading cause of these injuries. Many construction site accidents are the result of the employer failing to provide the proper safety equipment and/or safety training that is necessary to keep workers safe.

A recent contractor risk report compiled by insurance company AmTrust Financial Services reveals that workers who are employed by construction contractors who have been in business for less than four years make up 75 percent of construction industry workers’ compensation claim benefits that are paid out to injured workers. The report analyzed 26,000 claims that were filed over a 10-year period. California and Florida construction site accidents made up almost half of all the claims that the insurance company compiling the report paid out during the analyzed time period.

Construction workers who have less than one year of experience on the job had the greatest number of injuries, responsible for 33 percent of claim benefits issued. Sixteen percent of the benefits paid went to injured construction workers who were in their second year on the job. The report found that claims for workers in their third, fourth, and fifth year dropped, but spiked back up again for construction workers with six or more years on the job, who account for 29 percent of benefit claims paid.

The report also addressed the time of year that most workers’ compensation benefits claims are filed. It should come as no surprise that injuries rise during the summer months. There were twice as many claims filed in August (the peak month) as there were in December.

Overall, the average number of days lost because of a work-related injury for construction workers was 13. However, some common types of construction injuries resulted in more time lost. For example, workers injured in slip and fall accidents missed an average of 21 days of work, and workers who suffered burn injuries missed an average of 19 days of work.

Contact a Gilroy, CA Job Injury Attorney

If you have been injured on a construction site, you likely qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits include all coverage of medical bills and a percentage of your weekly wages. However, it is not uncommon for an employer and/or insurance company to try to dispute an injured worker’s claim. This is why it is important to have a Morgan Hill, CA workers’ compensation attorney advocating for you. Call Cramer + Martinez at 408-848-1113 to schedule a free consultation and find out how we can help.

Sources:

https://amtrustfinancial.com/getmedia/f520ab2a-d2ed-4eb4-b436-9fd40797b13b/AFS_2021_Contractor_Risk_Report_MKT5061.pdf

https://www.osha.gov/data/commonstats