Michigan lawyer discusses common construction injuries to know about and how they should be covered under workers’ comp.

There are some jobs that are simply more dangerous than others. Working in construction is one of those occupations. Being a hard hat worker is heavy work that puts employees in potentially dangerous situations. It involves heavy lifting, working with tools, using powerful machinery, climbing great heights, and exposure to busy traffic. These are inherently dangerous activities that can result in a worker being hurt on the job. Michigan law protects employees hurt on-the-job and here are some things to know about. Below we discuss some of the most common construction injuries that happen on the job.

Here Are Most Common Construction Injuries

Statistics published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) show nearly 1 in 5 of total worker deaths in 2023 were in construction. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports: “Construction had the most fatalities (1,075) among all industry sectors in 2023, and was the highest for the sector going back to 2011. Falls, slips, and trips accounted for 39.2 percent (421) of all construction fatalities, with transportation incidents accounting for another 22.3 percent (240) of fatalities.

Workers can also suffer from physical trauma on-the-job. Other common construction injuries are broken bones, head injuries, twisted ankles, lumbar and cervical strain, herniated disc, rotator cuff tear, eye injury, burns, electric shock, toxic exposure to chemicals, traumatic brain injury.

Other common construction injuries are repetitive motion injuries when they body is used to do the same thing repeatedly. Common problems include carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar nerve entrapment, and epicondylitis.

About Michigan Workers’ Comp Benefits

Michigan law is designed to protect employees hurt on-the-job. Workers’ comp pays for medical treatment, lost wages, and vocational rehabilitation. Entitlement to medical treatment should begin immediately but an employee cannot select his or her own doctor until 28 days after. Lost wages are based upon 80% of the employee’s after-tax average weekly wages. Vocational rehabilitation helps a disabled employee transition to new career.

Sometimes construction injuries result in death. Up to 500 weeks of wage loss benefits should be paid to dependents including spouses and children. These can be complicated situations and it is best to speak with an experienced workers’ comp lawyer right away. A funeral expense up to $6,000 should also be paid.

About Third Party Lawsuit Claims

Workers’ comp is the exclusive remedy against the employer for any injury on the job and it should be paid regardless of employee fault. However, employees hurt or killed can seek additional damages from a negligent third party. This could be another business operating as a general or subcontractor. It could also be a motor vehicle driver, product manufacturer, or maintenance company. Damages would include money for pain and suffering.

How Our Attorneys Can Help Injured Michigan Construction Workers

A workers’ comp lawyer can save a worker from making a big mistake. If you have suffered from one of the common construction injuries discussed in this article or any other injury it is important to discuss them with an attorney when they occur so that all legal rights can be protected. We have seen employers force employees to lie about the incident in order to obtain basic medical care. Promises to pay medical bills and lost wages under the table are rarely kept.

Insurance companies who pay workers’ comp benefits also have a statutory lien against money recovered from a third party. This can mean all the money recovered goes back. An experienced workers’ comp lawyer can negotiate settlement and ensure that money recovered by the employee is kept.

Michigan Workers’ Comp Lawyers never charges a fee to evaluate a potential case. Our law firm has represented injured and disabled workers exclusively for more than 40 years. Call (844) 266-7302 for a free consultation today.

Related information:

Should I Get A Lawyer For A Workers’ Comp Claim in Michigan?