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Philadelphia Construction Accidents – On the Rise?
According to the most recent data available from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, construction accidents nearly doubled in Philadelphia in 2012. Source: Annual Report, 2012 and 2011. This is interesting because the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that work accidents are down, in general.
Related: Pennsylvania Work Accidents & Injury Statistics, An Analysis
Work accidents in the construction industry account for roughly 7.5% of the total number of work accidents in Pennsylvania. The highest concentration of construction work accidents occur in Philadelphia County and Allegheny County. These two counties are the most populated counties in the state and include Pennsylvania’s largest cities: Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
In 2011, there were 376 construction accidents reported in Philadelphia County, and in 2012, there were 708 construction accidents. That’s almost double the number of construction accidents in the course of a year. While the number of construction accidents reported in 2011 is surprisingly low, the jump by nearly 100% is incredibly high. In fact, when comparing data for all other counties in Pennsylvania, no other county reported a similar increase in the number of construction accidents.
Related: Liability in a Construction Accident Case
In addition, while the data from 2011 might seem inaccurate, when adding up accidents across all other industries, the total number of accidents in Pennsylvania in 2011 was about the same, and in line with data from 2012. In 2011, there were 10,440 work accidents in Pennsylvania, and in 2012, there were 10,422 work accidents.
Common Types of Construction Accidents
Building construction, both resident and non-residential, accounts for a high number of construction accidents. However, the specialty trade accounts for significantly higher accidents. In 2011, there were 4,055 accidents in the specialty trade industry, which includes foundation, exterior and equipment contractors. In 2011, there were almost 1,300 accidents in the building construction industry (residential and non-residential).
Accidents in the construction industry commonly occur due to fall accidents and machine or equipment accidents such as forklift accidents. In fact, workplace falls and forklift accidents are the most common types of accidents in all industries, not just the construction industry.
Rights of Workers Injured in Construction Accidents in Philadelphia
Workers injured in construction accidents in Philadelphia have legal rights. Not only can injured workers file workers’ compensation claims, but they may also be able to receive financial compensation for:
- past and future medical bills,
- past and future economic losses (lost wages), and
- past and future pain and suffering.
Many workers injured in construction site accidents in Philadelphia make the mistake of only making work comp claims. This is a mistake because workers’ comp benefits do not provide compensation for pain and suffering. Injured workers may have valid legal claims against other, non-employer parties. In a typical construction accident case, the employee of a subcontractor may have a valid lawsuit against the general contractor or another subcontractor.
For more information about your legal rights, please call the Pennsylvania work accident law firm of LBK. Our lawyers have secured millions of dollars for injured workers and their families. Please call for a free case assessment. Click To Call
DISCLAIMER: This website does not create any attorney-client relationship or provide legal advice. It is crucial to speak to a qualified lawyer prior to making any decision about your case. Read full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.
