Building and construction is a top industry in California, and thousands of workers work on building sites, renovations and public works every day. The California Occupational Health and Safety Administration (Cal/OSHA) maintains strict guidelines to protect workers’ and citizens’ safety, so harmful accidents are rare.
Dangers do still exist, and workers and managers alike must be vigilant to maintain safety on worksites. One of the leading causes of workplace injuries is falls from unprotected places while construction leaves elevated areas with the usual protections.
Four construction workers were injured after a 30-foot fall on a worksite in North Hollywood. The incident happened on a recent afternoon when the crew was installing metal sheeting in an elevator shaft for a five-story building under construction. The cause of the accident is not yet known, although it appears that wood panelling broke underneath at least one of the workers.
Three of the four workers were critically injured, requiring intensive medical care at a local hospital after paramedics evacuated the crew. Cal/OSHA may also be involved in an investigation to determine the cause and any requirements that could have prevented the accident.
Victims of construction accidents or the survivors of construction-related fatalities have the right to claim financial damages from the parties at fault. These could be contractors who failed to maintain safety conditions or were otherwise negligent in keeping worksites secure.
An attorney can help assemble a case for wrongful death or personal injury on a construction site. Legal representation can fight for reimbursement for expenses related to an accident as well as compensation for pain and emotional distress.
Source: KABC, “4 construction workers injured after falling down an elevator shaft at North Hollywood site,” Leanne Suter, Feb. 16, 2018
