Severed Tendon Workers’ Compensation – $260,000 Settlement
Iron Worker Loses Grip Strength in Hand
Our client, a Union ironworker, injured his hand on a piece of rebar while on the job. Upon examination, it was determined that he had severed a tendon that would require surgery. But even after surgery, his ability to grip never fully returned to his hand. Because an iron worker is required to lift heavy objects, this seriously impacted his career. Our experienced workers’ comp attorney was able to secure a significant settlement of $260,000 on our client’s behalf.
Construction Injuries
By all accounts, many construction workers have incredibly dangerous jobs. Some recent statistics about the industry include the fact that, like our case settlement detailed above, ironworkers have the job with the highest injury rates in the industry. Some other recent statistics include:
- For workers under 18, construction ranks #2 in the U.S. for fatalities
- 1 in 10 such workers are injured each year
- Over a life time career of 45 years, there’s a 1 in 200 chance of death
- The #1 cause of construction related deaths are from falls
- 60% of injuries happen within the worker’s first year of employment
Causes of Accidents
Falls: The most common of all construction industry related accidents are from falls. Every day, workers are required to perform their job from great heights which might involve ladders, scaffolding, windows, cranes, roofs and iron-working.
Debris: It is common for a building to be multiple levels and for construction debris to fall from above. When someone is struck by such debris, which might include heavy tools or beams, even with a safety helmet on, the impact may cause spinal and brain injuries.
Collapse: This may happen when a building (either under construction or in the process of being demolished) collapses unexpectedly and workers are trapped below or beneath. Similarly, trenches are often dug on work sites and when a trench collapses, the workers may also be struck by heavy objects or buried in falling dirt.
Explosions: Flammable chemical, exposed wiring, leaking gasses, and other hazardous conditions all have the potential to cause fires and explosions, leading to serious burn injuries or death.
Machinery: A great deal of heavy machinery and powerful tools are used on construction sites, which include nail guns and jackhammers, as well as large vehicles such as dump trucks, cranes, forklifts and dumpsters. Any error in judgement may cause serious permanent injury or loss of life. In circumstances when the machinery malfunctions, a separate 3rd party product liability lawsuit may also be filed against the product manufacturer.
Vehicles: For those construction sites that are on highways or near lanes of traffic, over-exertion, distraction, or heat-stroke may cause the worker to step into oncoming traffic or a driver may disobey construction zone signage or cones, striking a worker.
Electricity: Exposed power lines, electrical systems and electrical wiring are often present at construction sites as work is in progress. Contact with any of these without proper grounding can cause electrocution, shock, or death.
Trips: Loose construction materials and tools present a constant danger of slipping or tripping on the job.
If you or a loved one was injured on a construction site, the legal team at Sexner Injury Lawyers LLC can help you determine whether your claim should be filed as a worker’s compensation case, a 3rd party case, a product liability case or some combination of claims. Free help is available 24 hours a day at (312) 243-9922.
