Hidden Dangers on New Orleans Construction Sites

Construction sites can be hazardous environments, and New Orleans is no exception. While new developments and renovations continue to shape the city’s landscape, there are hidden dangers lurking at these construction sites that pose a serious threat. When accidents occur, your first step should always be to contact a New Orleans personal injury lawyer who knows the intricacies of construction accidents. Egenberg Trial Lawyers is happy to answer any questions you have. 

Problems with Scaffolding

Scaffolding is common at construction sites. However, when scaffolding is not properly erected or maintained, it can pose a significant danger. Even proper scaffolding is still risky. Collapses, falls, and injuries can occur due to various issues like poor footing, faulty planking, or improper bracing. In some cases, scaffolding does not adequately support the weight of workers and their equipment, leading to catastrophic accidents.

Crush and Compression Injuries

Crush and compression injuries are also prevalent in construction sites where heavy machinery and equipment is being used. When someone gets trapped between two objects or is crushed by heavy machinery, it causes broken bones, internal organ damage, and even death. If you or a loved one has suffered a crush or compression injury on a construction site, get to the doctor immediately as internal injuries are hard to detect and common.

Heavy Machinery and Construction Equipment

Improper operation or maintenance of heavy machinery and construction equipment can lead to severe accidents and injuries. Equipment malfunctions, lack of proper training, and negligence all contribute to accidents involving bulldozers, cranes, excavators, jack hammers, and other machinery. 

Falling Objects

Construction sites are often buzzing with activity, with workers on multiple levels simultaneously. This can create a significant risk of falling objects, including tools, building materials, and debris. Falling objects cause severe head injuries, spinal cord injuries, or even fatalities. Employers have a legal duty to provide proper safety measures, such as securing tools and materials or erecting barricades to prevent falling objects. Even so, those measures can sometimes fail and people get hurt.

Hazardous Materials and Toxic Chemicals

Construction sites often involve the use of hazardous materials and toxic chemicals, such as asbestos, lead-based paint, and various solvents. Exposure to these substances can lead to serious health problems, including respiratory issues, neurological damage, and cancer. Adequate protection from exposure to hazardous materials is a necessary safety protocol that sometimes gets overlooked. 

Electrocution

Electrocution is a significant risk on construction sites, where electrical wires and equipment are present. Faulty wiring, inadequate grounding, or mishandling of electrical equipment can result in lethal electrical shocks, burns, and even death. Employers have a responsibility to ensure that electrical systems are properly installed and maintained and that appropriate training is provided for handling electrical hazards. 

Hearing Loss

One of the most hidden dangers at a construction site is hearing damage. Construction sites are well-known for their loud noises, which leads to long-term and sometimes permanent hearing damage. Prolonged exposure to high levels of noise without proper hearing protection does often result in permanent hearing loss or other hearing-related issues like tinnitus. Employers are obligated to provide workers with appropriate hearing protection and implement measures to reduce excessive noise levels for neighbors and bystanders. 

Slip and Falls

Slip and falls are one of the most common types of accidents at construction sites. Uneven surfaces, debris, wet floors, and poorly maintained walkways all contribute to the risk of slips, trips, and falls. These accidents can result in fractures, head injuries, back problems, and other severe injuries. 

Steps After a Construction Site Injury in New Orleans

As New Orleans personal injury lawyers, these are the steps we recommend you take if you’ve been injured in a construction site accident here in Louisiana:

• Get medical attention: Your health and well-being is a top priority. Get immediate medical care for your injuries, even if they appear minor at first.
• Report the incident: Call the police and notify the construction site supervisor about the accident as soon as possible. Make sure the incident is properly documented.
• Collect evidence: Gather any evidence related to the accident, such as photographs of the scene, witness statements, and medical records. This evidence can make or break your personal injury claim.
• Talk to a New Orleans personal injury lawyer: The sooner you talk to an attorney, the better. An attorney experienced with construction site accidents can guide you through the legal process, protect your rights, and help you pursue fair compensation for your injuries and losses. If you proceed with being represented by a lawyer, the insurance company sharks will smell blood in the water. A significant amount of research shows that accident victims with lawyers are more likely to get financial compensation and to get more of it. Each case is unique, of course, but you have nothing to lose by speaking to an attorney.
• Preserve documents and records: Keep a record of all medical bills, treatment plans, lost wages, damaged property, and other expenses related to your injury. These documents will be important in calculating your damages and maximizing your payout.
• Don’t accept any settlement offers without legal advice: We can not state this enough! Insurance companies will try to offer a quick, lowball settlement to minimize their costs. These initial offers are generally insufficient to cover the full extent of your injuries and losses and really meant to prey on those who are desperate.
• Follow your attorney’s guidance: Your attorney will provide guidance throughout the legal process. Follow their advice, attend all necessary medical follow-up appointments, and provide requested information and documentation.

Your Trusted New Orleans Personal Injury Lawyers

If you have been injured on a construction site, reach out to the New Orleans personal injury attorneys at Egenberg Trial Lawyers today. Our highly dedicated and caring legal team understands the rock and a hard place you find yourself in: hurting, probably can’t work, medical bills piling up, and sleepless nights for stress and worry. We will fight to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your construction site accident. To speak to an attorney and get the process started, contact us now.