Standing Up For Injured South Carolina Workers
Some of the most serious injuries that occur on the job are the result of construction site accidents. Due to the dangerous nature of many construction sites, the large amounts of heavy equipment used and the need to work from extreme heights, a construction accident can leave the victim with a life-threatening injury such as an amputation, broken bones, head, neck, back and spinal cord injuries.
The Maguire Law Firm, serving the citizens of Horry, Georgetown and Marion counties of South Carolina, knows your rights and understands the workers’ compensation laws. We have a friendly and accessible staff. In the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, area call 843-491-5044. You can also contact us online. We offer flexible appointment scheduling for your convenience.
South Carolina Construction Site Regulations
The construction industry is one of the most hazardous business sectors in the United States. One out of 10 construction workers is injured each year. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), construction site falls are the single leading cause of accidents and fatalities in the construction industry. The leading causes of construction accidents are:
- Falls from ladders, roofs or scaffolding, including scaffolding collapse
- Construction zone and flag worker injuries
- Electrocution from electrical mishaps
- Heavy equipment accidents involving forklifts, cranes, bulldozers or backhoes
- Accidents caused by defective tools
Osha Conducts Inspections To Protect Workers
Construction sites are heavily regulated to ensure the safety of the workers. South Carolina is one of 26 states that administers its own occupational safety and health program through an agreement with OSHA. The state Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to provide their employees with a safe and healthy work site, and one free of hazards that may cause injuries and illnesses to workers.
The South Carolina OSHA office conducts inspections of businesses and construction areas to ensure compliance with the laws. Companies are provided with a safety checklist to ensure that the workers are properly protected.
Sample Checklist Items
- Do you have a preventive maintenance program?
- Do you have ongoing safety and health training?
- Are permanent aisles and passageways appropriately marked and kept clear?
- Are floors clean and dry?
- Is every open-sided floor or platform four feet or more above adjacent floor or ground-level guarded by a standard guardrail or the equivalent?
- Are all hatchway and floor openings guarded?
- Are scaffolds properly braced so that the scaffold is always plumb, square and rigid?
While there are stringent safety guidelines in place, construction work is dangerous, and accidents continue to happen, especially in the busy construction sites in the Myrtle Beach area.
Accidents Can Cause Devastating Results
When a construction worker is seriously injured, the financial and emotional toll on the family can be devastating. The victim may not be able to work again, and the ability to pay medical and family bills can be overwhelming. Ideally, your claim can be resolved without the need for a hearing before a workers’ compensation commissioner, but should your case require a hearing, rest assured that we are your advocates against any injustices.
Understanding Your Rights
If you have been seriously injured in a construction accident while on the job, we can protect your rights. We are motivated by a sincere concern and compassion for all individuals who have suffered damages or injuries.
Contact Us
To reach us in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, area call, 843-491-5044. You can also contact us online. We offer flexible appointment scheduling for your convenience.
