Construction Accidents Law

How Much Does a Construction Worksite Injury Cost?

Key Takeaways:

  • There are direct and indirect costs of a construction worksite injury. 
  •  Investing in worksite safety can save construction companies by reducing the risk of construction accident injuries.
  • Injured workers can have their medical expenses covered by a workers’ comp claim.

Construction companies think about how much worksite injuries can cost. Investing in workplace safety can help the construction industry save money by preventing workplace injuries in the first place.

When the construction company takes a look at how much the average cost of a construction site accident costs their bottom line, they may spend more on safety programs to reduce the risks of occupational injuries.

If you are an injured construction worker or a loved one has suffered a work-related injury, you can get legal advice from a construction accident lawyer. A lawyer can help you get money for your medical treatment and lost wages.

Types of Construction Site Accidents

The costs of a construction site accident are a concern for workers and construction companies because construction site accidents are so common. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the construction industry is one of the most dangerous work environments.

Every year, thousands of workers are injured in construction projects, from minor injuries to fatal accidents. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) has identified the “fatal four” leading causes of construction workplace fatalities, which include:

Direct and Indirect Costs of a Workplace Injury

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the average cost of medically consulted injuries for workers is $42,000. The work injury cost per worker for a fatal work accident is more than $1.3 million. However, there are both direct and indirect costs of worker injuries.

Direct costs of a construction site accident include workers’ compensation claims, medical expenses, property damage, equipment damage, and OSHA fines. However, indirect cost estimates can be even higher than direct costs, including missed deadlines, costs of replacing workers, loss of productivity, and reputational harm.

Workers’ Compensation Costs

Some employers only think about the workers’ compensation expenses as the cost of a construction site injury. Workers’ compensation insurance covers an employer for most serious injuries in the workplace. However, the costs of coverage can increase for workplaces that have higher rates of fatal and non-fatal injuries.

There are additional indirect costs of construction injuries, even when they are covered by insurance premiums. There are additional costs for administrative time dealing with workers’ comp claims, loss of productivity, safety training, and loss of productivity. Investing more in construction safety can reduce workers’ comp costs.

Personal Injury Lawsuit Costs

Injuries that are not covered by workers’ compensation can be much higher. If an independent contractor, third-party vendor, or member of the public is injured in a construction site, the costs can be much higher. An employer may have liability insurance to cover injury costs. However, there can be indirect costs of negative public opinion, administrative time spent on insurance claims, and legal costs of defending a lawsuit.

Investing in Construction Safety Can Reduce Worksite Injury Costs

Taking preventative measures can improve a construction company’s profit margin by avoiding unnecessary construction site injuries. Safety precautions can include:

  • Worksite risk assessment
  • Following safety regulations
  • Regular safety meetings and training
  • Enforced use of safety equipment
  • Fall prevention
  • Equipment checks

How Can a Construction Accident Attorney Help?

For workers injured in a construction site accident, a workers’ compensation claim can cover your medical bills and partial wage replacement. For others injured in a construction accident, a personal injury lawsuit can provide for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

You may have to find a construction accident lawyer to make sure you get fair compensation for your injuries. An attorney can help you understand your legal rights and file a claim for damages. A lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company and construction company to get a settlement offer that covers your losses.

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