News reports that a construction worker was killed at a Reno construction site Wednesday morning. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as well Reno police are investigating the factors that led up to this fatal incident. Initial reports reveal that a worker wearing a safety vest was hit and run over by a driver operating a construction loader.
Construction sites pose many dangers, with the construction industry producing the greatest number of fatal work injuries of any industry. In fact, according to OSHA one out of every ten construction workers is injured every year. Many times, these accidents are preventable.
Whenever a construction accident occurs, conducting a thorough investigation of all the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident is crucial. One of the most important questions to determine is who created the hazard? Whose actions (or failure to act) created the hazard that harmed the worker? Determining the root cause of any accident is critical for establishing liability, and receiving compensation for your injuries. Thus, when an injury occurs, it is important to determine whether the general contractor contributed to the accident in any way and/or whether subcontractors other than the employer of the injured worker were involved. All contractors in California must follow Cal-OSHA regulations. Sometimes several employers may be cited for different reasons for the same accident (i.e., the injured worker’s employer, other subcontractors and/or the general contractor). OSHA citations can be a good source of evidence to determine if one some entity has legal responsibility for an injury.
Establishing fault and recovering compensation following construction accidents involves several complex legal issues. If you or loved one has suffered serious personal injuries, consulting with an experienced Oakland construction accident lawyer is critical to ensure you obtain the compensation you deserve. For more information, please contact the experienced Oakland personal injury lawyers at Viadro Law, LLP for an immediate consultation.
