Worker Falls Twenty Feet on San Antonio’s North Side

(November 3, 2022) Yesterday, November 2, 2022, a construction worker in the Northside of San Antonio was rushed to the hospital after an accident, as reported by KSAT 12. The worker was laying down pipes when he fell twenty feet into a hole, where he remained trapped until firefighters rescued him. Fortunately, the hole was not at risk of collapsing, and he received no life-threatening injuries as a result of the fall. With construction across San Antonio comes risks for the construction workers and drivers using the under-construction freeways. Unfortunately, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that 40,000 injuries a year and three fatalities a day are the results of vehicle traffic and poor operation on construction sites. Let’s take a look at common injuries associated with construction work and how to get the most out of workers’ comp claims.

Common Construction Site Injuries

Slip and Fall Accidents – Falls account for slightly more than a third of all construction site injuries. They can be minor and not result in any injury, but oftentimes they cause serious injury and sometimes death. 80% of all spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are men aged between 16-30, and 93% of construction workers are male. This is not surprising, as even a fall from a short distance can severely injure the spine, and like in the above case, construction workers are often exposed to working at dangerous heights.

Electrocution – Construction often occurs around or involves working with power lines. Workers can and frequently do suffer electrocution burns while digging, while operating machinery, or while working underneath exposed power lines. They are also extremely painful and are always considered a medical emergency when they occur.

Motor Vehicle Accidents – Whether from failed machinery or highway drivers, auto accidents on construction sites are almost always fatal. Traveling between job sites, operating on or near a highway, and working around big machinery all expose construction workers to this kind of risk. Drivers always have the responsibility to be careful, and reduced speeds are always in effect around a construction site, but frustration with the delays may cause some drivers to act recklessly and abandon safe speeds.

For any of the above injuries, the negligence of a third party may be involved, which is not covered by workers’ compensation. Or, even if workers’ comp covers some of the damages, filing a lawsuit against the third party may earn that back again and then some. That is why it is important to contact an attorney to assist you when filing a workers’ compensation claim.

Get the Most Out of Workers’ Compensation

Injuries obtained while on the job come with their own set of unique laws in regard to how much you can claim and from whom you can claim it. But filing a workers’ compensation claim isn’t always a walk in the park. Our team has expertise in filing claims that give you the most compensation legally available to you after a construction site or other workplace accident.

Carabin Shaw has been representing injured workers in San Antonio and across Texas for 30 years. If you have been injured on the job and need help filing a workers’ compensation claim, call 800-862-1260 today or fill out this form. We look forward to serving you.