Common Injuries Among Road Construction Workers
According to the National Library of Medicine, occupational injuries account for most emergency room visits and can cause disability or even death. Road construction workers, in particular, are at constant risk of getting injured due to moving traffic and drivers’ unpredictable nature. Highways usually require regular maintenance, and as roadwork increases, so does the risk of injuries to workers from impatient drivers frustrated by slowed traffic or those distracted while behind the wheel. Let’s look at some of the most common injuries among road construction workers.
Why Are Road Construction Zones So Dangerous?
A lot happens in and around road construction zones, and each factor increases the likelihood of accidents. Reduced visibility, sudden lane changes, and poor road conditions can make it challenging for drivers to drive through these zones safely. In many instances, drivers are often unaware of lane closures and detours, leaving them little time to react. As if that’s not enough, narrow lanes, rough road surfaces, and the presence of heavy machinery add to the confusion.
These conditions often leave workers vulnerable, especially when vehicles drift into marked work areas. Pedestrian workers, including flaggers, are frequently struck by cars that fail to slow down in good time or merge properly.
Common Injuries Experienced by Road Construction Workers
The most common injury in road construction is being hit by a moving vehicle. In 2022, 891 work zone fatalities were reported, affecting drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. 136 of those deaths were construction workers. And that doesn’t even include non-fatal injuries that resulted in lost work time.
Other injuries that road construction workers often suffer include the following:
- Electrocution injuries: Overhead power lines, underground cables, and electrical tools often pose a risk of electrocution.
- Crush injuries: Highway workers caught between heavy equipment, barriers, or vehicles can suffer severe crush injuries.
- Asphyxiation: Roadwork often involves digging trenches, which can unexpectedly collapse, trapping workers, leading to reduced breathing and possible suffocation.
- Fractures: The force of a collapse can lead to broken bones, especially in the legs, ribs, and spine.
- Respiratory issues: The materials used in road construction, such as asphalt and sealants, contain chemicals that can cause respiratory issues, burns, and skin irritation, especially if the exposure is prolonged.
- Heat stroke: Many road projects happen in extreme heat, and workers are often exposed to direct sunlight for hours. The hot pavement, heavy construction gear, and heat can lead to heat stroke.
- Hearing loss: The constant exposure to loud construction equipment and jackhammers can result in long-term hearing loss.
Who Is Liable for a Road Construction Injury?
In Vermont, employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance to ensure employees injured on the job have coverage for medical expenses and lost wages. So, if you’re a highway worker injured on the job, you can seek compensation through your employer’s workers’ comp insurance.
However, this coverage may not always be sufficient, especially in severe injury cases. While workers’ compensation benefits typically prevent employees from suing their employer directly, if a negligent driver causes an accident in a work zone or a third-party contractor’s actions lead to injury, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. This claim would be in addition to your workers’ comp benefits.
Contact a Vermont Highway Worker Injury Today
If you are a highway worker injured on the job, contact an experienced Vermont highway worker injury lawyer at Sluka Law PLC at 802-457-1000 today to fight for the benefits you deserve.
Source:
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9517430/
