According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there are four major types of accidents that cause deaths in the workplace. These accidents are known as the “Fatal Four.” While the amount of workplace injuries and fatalities have been decreasing over the years, these “Fatal Four” accidents still cause injury, disability and death on a regular basis.

What are the “Fatal Four” accidents?

Falls cause nearly 37% of workplace accidents every year, making them one of the deadliest forms of construction accidents. This includes workers falling off ladders, scaffolding, roofs, skyscrapers, walking surfaces and more.

Falling objects are another common cause of workplace accidents. About 10% of workplace fatalities are caused by objects, material and equipment that wasn’t properly secured. Nearly 9% of workplace fatalities are caused by electrocutions, which are typically caused by exposed wires, frayed power cords, lightning strikes, wet areas, exposed outlets and direct contact with power lines.

Finally, about 2% of fatalities are caused by “caught-in” or “caught-between” accidents. These types of accidents occur when employees are caught between machines or devices. This also includes employees who were killed in structure collapses. Studies have shown that employees can prevent workplace injuries and fatalities by always following basic safety procedures.

How can workers receive compensation after an accident?

Construction workers can suffer from injuries due to malfunctioning equipment, ignored safety procedures and unsafe working conditions. If the employee was not at fault, they might be entitled to compensation from their company or the equipment manufacturer.

If a construction worker is seeking compensation, they might find it useful to hire an attorney. An attorney might be able to investigate the situation and determine whether a lawsuit is viable. If it is, they might be able to help their client launch a successful case against the other party.