Construction Work Among Most Dangerous Professions for Workers
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that construction work is among the most dangerous professions to work in the U.S. Each year, more than 150,000 construction site accidents and injuries are reported. Construction workers who were injured or killed in construction accidents are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. In this article, the Maryland workers’ compensation attorneys at the Law Offices of Steinhardt, Siskind and Lieberman, LLC will discuss construction accidents and workers’ compensation.
Common construction accidents and injuries
Around 5000 people die in workplace accidents each year. One of every five of those is working construction at the time of their death. Fatal construction accidents occur frequently due to a combination of incidents known as the “fatal 4”. These include being struck by a falling object, being electrocuted, being caught between equipment, or collapsing structures. These are not the only ways to be injured in a construction accident, however. Others include:
- Defective equipment or unsafeguarded machinery
- Exposure to harmful chemicals
- Exposure to toxic mold or asbestos
- Highway work zone accidents
- Lack of safety guards or protective gear
Even in cases where the construction worker survives the accident, they can be left with serious injuries that prevent them from continuing to work. These include:
- Broken bones
- Eye injuries
- Head and brain injuries
- Hearing damage or hearing loss
- Heat or chemical burns
- Occupational illnesses
- Respiratory problems
- Spinal cord injuries
Benefits available to those injured in Maryland construction accidents
If you’re a Maryland construction worker who was injured on the job, you are entitled to recover workers’ compensation benefits that pay for your medical expenses during recovery as well as a portion of your wages that were lost over that time period. However, workers’ compensation insurers don’t just hand money to those who were injured on the job. You often need the help of a seasoned Maryland workers’ compensation lawyer to ensure that you receive the benefits to which you are entitled. The Law Offices of Steinhardt, Siskind and Lieberman, LLC have helped hundreds of employees file claims against their employer’s insurer and recover benefits to which they were entitled. Instead of fighting the insurance company, we can do it for you and with better results.
Potential challenges to filing a Maryland workers’ compensation claim
The workers’ compensation claims process is complex. Simple mistakes can result in your claim being denied. Examples include:
- The insurance company can claim that your injury isn’t work-related or wasn’t severe enough for you to miss work.
- Your employer can claim that you were injured while engaging in conduct that isn’t covered by workers’ compensation.
- The workers’ compensation insurer will try to settle the claim for as little as possible.
- The insurer will try to close your case or deny you access to benefits for ongoing disabling injuries.
- You may no longer be able to perform the duties of your job after being medically cleared to work.
Talk to a Maryland Construction Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today
The Law Offices of Steinhardt, Siskind and Lieberman, LLC represent the interests of injured construction workers in workers’ compensation cases. Call our Maryland workers’ compensation attorneys today for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
