About the Charleston Construction Industry
Charleston has become one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country. In recent years, it regained its title as the largest city in South Carolina, according to The Post and Courier. Major developments in the area include the Ingleside Gateway Office Building (a 40,000-square foot medical/office complex located at the corner of US-78 and Ingleside Boulevard in North Charleston) and the major revitalization project underway in West Ashley. Plus, each corner seems to be dotted with a new hotel, shopping center or community development. The rapid expansion of Charleston and surrounding cities like North Charleston, Goose Creek and Summerville, is fueled by the dedication and skill of local construction teams.
Common Accidents on Charleston Construction Sites
Unfortunately, construction work can be dangerous work. In 2016, one out of every five worker deaths in our country occurred in the construction industry, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports. The leading causes of fatal injuries in the construction industry were:
- Falls (from heights such as roofs, ladders and scaffolding as well as same-level falls, or slip and falls, due to cluttered working areas)
- Getting struck by an object (such as falling tools or debris)
- Electrocutions (often due to exposure to “live” power lines)
- Getting caught in or between objects (such as equipment).
In addition to these common causes of construction injuries, our law firm has also seen workers suffer injuries due to:
- Vehicle collisions
- Defective or poorly maintained equipment
- Fires and explosions
- Forklift accidents
- Improper training
- A wide range of OSHA violations (including the failure to provide workers with proper safety equipment such as fall protection systems or to communicate about hazardous chemicals).
If you are a construction worker who was injured on the job in Charleston, you should immediately report the injury to your employer and seek medical attention right away. In addition to health reasons, doing so will protect your right to pursue workers’ compensation benefits and, perhaps, additional compensation. You should also:
- Write down the names and contact information of co-workers or others who may have witnessed the accident
- Keep all paperwork and reports, including medical bills and receipts from other accident-related expenses
- Keep track of your medical treatments, appointments and providers
- Follow medical advice carefully
- Contact an attorney as soon as possible.
About the Charleston Construction Industry
