Construction accidents occur every day on site. Recently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released their most recent finding about fatal occupational injuries from 2011. The construction industry can be high risk when it comes to its job sites, resulting in a Virginia construction injury.
Some of the top preliminary findings from 2011 include:
- Fatal work injuries in the private sector have decreased in the past year. In 2010, there were 774 injuries and 721 in 2011—a decline of seven percent overall.
- The lower fatality counts are at a five-year, consecutive decline, and have gone down nearly 42 percent since 2006.
- Fatal work injuries involving workers 55 years of age or older and workers under the age of 18 were both lower in 2011.
- Workers in the age group of 20-24 went up 18 percent from the following year.
- Fatal work injuries increased among the Hispanic and African American population, while Caucasian workers saw a three percent decrease.
- Injuries involving women increased in 2011 slightly, but saw a decline with men from the previous year.
The Bureau took a look at many different aspects of construction workers’ injuries and fatalities. Another area they examined was the amount of fatal falls, slips, or trips. They paid special attention to the height of the fall. In the higher-level falls, they found 451 of the 541 falls reported came from a high height. Many of these included a fall from 30 feet or more.
Many workers have suffered injuries from being struck by objects and equipment. The Bureau found that a total of 472 workers were fatally injured in this category, including 219 workers losing their life from a falling object. There were also a significant number of fatalities from motorized equipment.
Severe and fatal injuries in the construction occupation can add up easily given the type of environment and equipment used on the job site. If you or a close family member has suffered a serious injury while working construction, there may be help for you. Contact Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas to talk to someone about your case and the options you have under Virginia laws.
