If you work in construction, you know there is no such thing as a ‘usual day at the office’. Apart from the common site risks posed by heavy machinery and materials, you’re also facing external factors. According to a recent study, struck-by deaths appear to be on the rise. The study, conducted by the Center for Construction Research and Training, indicates a sharp increase in struck-by deaths in recent years.
The study shows that construction workers may face the biggest risk. Between 2011 and 2015 the construction industry accounted for 800 struck-by deaths – more than any other occupation.
Florida Struck-by Deaths
Construction workers are no stranger to workplace hazards and if you work in Florida, there’s no exception. The state is currently undergoing extensive infrastructure and road improvements. That’s great for the state, but if you’re a construction worker involved on any of those projects, you can be exposed to some pretty dangerous conditions.
Road workers are especially exposed. If you’re a construction worker on a road project, you not only have to look out for “regular” site hazards, but also for reckless drivers. Even drivers who are not driving erratically may get confused by road diversions and traffic.
In Florida, it’s a fact that we have a lot of elderly drivers on the road and for some, the commotion of road construction can be overwhelming. And workers are directly exposed to all these potential, undetectable risks.
Already, three struck-by deaths have occurred on Florida’s multi-billion dollar I-4 corridor construction project:
- In 2016, one worker was hit by a truck
- Another was struck by a piece of metal
- In March, a worker was killed by a falling rebar cage
You would think employers would do everything they could to make sure their workers were protected from these potential risks. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. In some cases, employer negligence also plays a role in injuries and struck-by deaths.
If you’ve been involved in a construction accident, contact our team for a consultation. We can help you answer any questions you have about your claims process and discuss potential recourse.