For anyone working in construction, the surrounding dangers serve as occupational hazards. Construction fatalities make up a large percentage of wrongful death claims, given the nature of the work. Things can go wrong in an instant when people are busy, moving too fast, and not heeding safety practices.

The Fatal Four

To be more specific, the four leading causes of construction-related and heavy equipment deaths, frequently called the “Fatal Four,” are falls, stuck-in-betweens, electrocutions, or getting struck by an object.

1. Falling

Some equipment operators fall off heavy machinery, especially if they are in a hurry or need to stop the machine to move an object. Other falls happen when workers are working on ladders, roofs, or scaffolding. If a worker dies from a fall off scaffolding, it usually is because he or she tripped, the platform gave way, or he or she was hit by a foreign object. Falls from heights are common when contractors are building houses.

2. Getting Struck by an Object

Getting struck by an object, such as heavy equipment or a falling item, is the second most frequent cause of construction deaths. Many of the struck-by incidents involve a crane. A crane may hit a worker when moving or lowering a load, or kill a laborer because it collapsed. Falling loads can instantly crush a person resulting in immediate death.

3. Caught In-Betweens

One of the most deadly accidents involving heavy machines involves getting pinned. When this happens, the person who is caught in-between may be pinched, compressed, or squeezed between two sizable objects. These incidents may involve cave-ins or large machine rollovers.

4. Electrocution

Any contact with live wires can lead to a sudden death. Live wires may kill anyone using a circuit breaker, light fixture, control panels, or transformer. Heavy equipment may also cause electrocution if it has not been regularly inspected or repaired.

Getting the Help You Need for a Wrongful Death Claim

If you have a loved one who has been killed at a construction site or manufacturing plant when using heavy equipment, you need to learn about your rights with respect to wrongful death claims.

What the Law Says about Filing a Claim

In the state of California, you are in your right to file a wrongful death lawsuit if you are a surviving family member who wishes to sue for damages for another party’s wrongful act or negligence. It does not matter if the act was intentional, reckless, or negligent. This legal remedy can be pursued, in accordance with the Code of Civil Procedure 377.60.

Don’t Wait to File a Claim – Speak to an Attorney Today

You have two years to file a wrongful death claim from the date of the decedent’s death. Therefore, it is in your best interest to discuss the matter with a lawyer right away.