In the United States, construction sites must conform to federal safety standards. These safety regulations are delineated by the U.S. Government in the Occupational Safety and Health Act. This act was initiated by Congress in 1970 to correct the considerable problem of work-related accidents throughout the nation.
The act redefined workplace injuries and fatalities as a significant threat to the wellbeing of employees across the nation. With this new perspective, the government established strict rules to reduce the risk of on-the-job hazards. Today, construction sites and other hazardous work environments are still subject to these guidelines. As a result, workers in a wide range of jobs can expect a reasonable degree of safety in their work environment—and take legal action when this is not provided.
If a work environment does not comply with the safety regulations defined in the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), injured employees have the right to pursue financial compensation for any injuries incurred as a result of their unsafe workplace. Beyond the damages provided through workers’ compensation, they may also seek restitution from third parties whose negligence led to their construction injury.
Construction sites are innately dangerous on account of:
Without proper safety measures, these hazards can be deadly. The Chicago personal injury lawyers at Duncan Law Group represents those who, through no fault of their own, have suffered a tragic loss in an accident. Contact our law firm today to pursue a just ruling after a serious workplace accident in Chicago.