Injuries Caused by Concrete and Cement on Construction Sites
Injured construction workers may be entitled to compensation.
Construction work in Pennsylvania can be dangerous. In fact, construction accidents are one of the most common types of workplace injuries compared to other industries, according to Pennsylvania’s annual Survey of Occupational Injuries & Illnesses (SOII) conducted by the Pennsylvania Center for Workforce Information & Analysis.
Understanding the difference between cement and concrete
Many construction projects involve concrete or cement. As you might already know, cement is often made using limestone, silica, sand, and other materials. Cement is also one of the key ingredients in concrete, along with water and sand.
There are many different types of cement often used in construction projects. Some of the most common types of cement include:
- Portland cement.
- Blast Furnace Slag Cement.
- Rapid Hardening Cement.
- Sulphate Resisting Portland Cement.
What makes concrete or cement hazardous?
There are many reasons why cement or concrete can be hazardous to construction workers. Part of it has to do with the corrosive and abrasive nature of both materials. When cement or concrete comes into contact with bare skin or is ingested, injuries or illnesses often occur.
The density and weight of concrete and cement can also be dangerous for several reasons. When lifting concrete blocks or cement bags, construction workers must be extremely careful. Otherwise, they might injure themselves due to lifting such heavy objects or if such construction materials fall on them.
In addition, cement and concrete are often used to build the foundations of buildings. If the cement is not mixed correctly or the concrete blocks are not structurally sound or improperly put together, a building collapse could occur, resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.
Common construction injuries involving concrete or cement
Construction injuries and illnesses involving cement or concrete cover a wide range, including:
- Chemical burns caused by abrasive ingredients in cement or concrete coming into contact with the skin.
- Eye injuries due to dust or silica particles from concrete or cement getting in the eye.
- Lung illnesses, including lung cancer, due to breathing in cement or concrete particles.
- Back injuries caused by lifting or moving concrete or cement.
- Spinal cord injuries caused by heavy building materials falling onto construction workers.
- Other severe injuries, including head injuries and organ damage, caused by building collapses due to an unstable building foundation.
- Broken bones and bone fractures, often in the hands, arms, legs, or feet.
Construction accidents involving cement or concrete
In general, such injuries or illnesses occur due to negligence. Specifically, construction companies have a legal obligation to make sure their construction site is free of any hazardous conditions that could potentially cause an injury involving cement or concrete.
Construction companies also need to make sure that construction workers are safe when working with concrete or cement. Such safety precautions often include:
- Providing construction workers with respirators, protective eyewear and safety gloves.
- Training workers so they know how to work safely with cement or concrete.
- Posting warning signs near any potential hazards, including wet cement or metal rebar protruding from a concrete foundation.
- Conducting construction site inspections to make sure the work environment is safe.
Legal options for injured construction workers
Depending on the circumstances of your construction accident injury or illness in Pennsylvania, you may have several legal options available to you, including:
- Receive workers’ compensation for your injury-related expenses.
- Receive additional compensation in the form of a one-time settlement claim.
- Ask for more money before agreeing to accept a settlement claim and negotiate a better offer.
- File a construction accident lawsuit against the at-fault party or parties seeking damages, the legal term for financial compensation.
Contact a Pennsylvania construction accident lawyer today
Knowing what to do after a construction accident in Pennsylvania can be overwhelming and confusing. All you probably want to do is focus on getting the medical attention you need and deserve. But you also need to act fast to protect your rights and give your legal case the best opportunity for success.
Pennsylvania construction accident lawyer Anthony R. Vellner knows what you’re going through. That’s why our legal team at Vellner Law, PC wants to help. We have years of experience fighting for the rights of injured construction workers throughout Pennsylvania. As a result, we thoroughly understand how the legal system works in our state. That’s why we won’t waste a second getting right to work on your case.
Get a law firm that will work hard for you right from the start. Contact us and schedule a free consultation with a Pennsylvania construction accident attorney you can count on. We have offices conveniently located in Bethlehem and Allentown and represent injury victims throughout Pennsylvania.