Construction workers are at high risk for injury due to the work environment and the nature of the job. Over the years, safety regulations have been implemented that allow workers to be safer while on the job site. Safety gear such as harness may not prevent falls, but they mean the difference between a recoverable injury and death. In California, a recent news story reports on a construction injury caused by a fall on the job site.
Facebook is currently constructing a building in California to house its offices. Earlier this year, two workers were injured when a steel beam fell 20 feet. The workers were wearing harnesses, but still suffered injuries. In the most recent event, a man fell from a fourth floor beam a distance of 10 or 15 feet. He also was wearing a safety harness that prevented him from falling much farther.
Authorities arrived on the scene and removed the man, using spinal safety precautions. He was conscious and taken away in an ambulance. The man suffered injuries that consisted of significant pain, bruising and abrasions. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health is conducting an investigation regarding the accident and work has been halted until the investigation is complete.
The man is likely alive today thanks to his safety harness, but it is also likely that his injuries necessitate time off from the job. He is entitled to workers’ comp benefits due to his injuries. Other persons who have also suffered a construction injury may be eligible for workers’ comp. A knowledgeable and experienced attorney can offer guidance when filing an insurance claim to help the injured worker receive the maximum amount of benefits to which he or she is entitled.
Source: Menlo Park, CA Patch, “Facebook Steel Worker Hospitalized After Fall At Menlo Park Construction Site: Fire Dept.“, Renee Schiavone, July 20, 2017
