Arizona Construction Accident Lawyer Blog

As Tempe work accident lawyers, we were saddened to hear that a man was killed at work at the Stone Burg Marble and Granite company on December 22 while working with granite slabs, according to a news report in Fox 10. According to reports, the accident happened around 3 p.m. when the man was either loading or unloading granite slabs. One fell on him and crushed him and he was pronounced dead on the scene. The warehouse where he was working is located near Elliot and Kyrene. This is a tragic workplace accident.

Causes of This Tempe Work Accident

As work accident attorneys, we often see incidents that occur because proper safety procedures are not implemented in the workplace, including safety systems that keep heavy items from falling on employees. It may also be that another person working with him was at fault for this accident. Many times, companies have third party contractors working with their employees. It may be that a third party contractor was in part responsible for this man's fatal injuries.

United States Work Accident Statistics

There are more than 12 people killed in fatal work accidents every day in the United States, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In 2010, 4,547 were killed in work accidents. Most fatal work accidents were attributed to falls, electrocutions, people struck by objects, and people crushed between objects.

Contact a Tempe Wrongful Death Attorney

An experienced Arizona construction injury lawyer can investigate this case to determine exactly what happened, including talking to other employees, studying any warehouse footage that might have recorded the accident, inspecting loading and unloading equipment, and more. Businesses have a responsibility to protect their workers from fatal work accidents like this one. The Husband and Wife Law Team at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. represents families who have lost loved ones in work accidents. We work to obtain settlements from the at-fault parties to cover funeral expenses, lost wages, and more. Work place accidents many times have shorter statute of limitations than other types of personal injury claims. Contact us for a free consultation today.

As Arizona construction accident injury lawyers, Mark and Alexis Breyer of Breyer Law Offices understand the risks of acquiring injuries from slip and fall accidents in workplaces. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), statistics from The Bureau of Labor indicate that 605 workers were killed and more than 200,000 were injured in 2009 because of falls. To save yourself, and others, from slips and falls, here are a few safety tips worth remembering:

When working in the construction industry, make sure to wear proper work equipment such as a hard hat in case of a fall. Before using a ladder, make sure that it is positioned on a level surface to ensure stability. Floor holes and other fall and trip hazards should be covered or marked in a manner that they are easily spotted and avoided. A construction workplace should always have a safety-first atmosphere as most fall-related workplace injuries occur in the construction industry. Even when construction workers follow all of the safety procedures, accidents still happen due to the negligence of other individuals.

Construction workers are not the only workers who are at risk for slip and falls. Even those who work in offices can easily be a victim. Office floors should always be well kept as they can easily become slippery, especially after a spill. A wet floor surface should be marked with caution signs in order to prevent accidents. Building stairs should have handrails on both sides and should be used accordingly. Rooms and walkways should also be well-lit for better visibility and to avoid tripping over objects.

Contact an Arizona Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer

Slip and fall injuries can happen to anyone at any time. If you or a loved one has been a victim of an Arizona construction fall accident which was caused by an establishment’s or someone else’s negligence, we advise you to get in touch with an Arizona personal injury lawyer who can help you attain a much-deserved compensation. The Husband and Wife Law Team of Mark and Alexis Breyer has successfully won many slip and fall cases and are here to answer all your legal questions.

Building and Wood Worker’s International (BWI) reports that construction accidents account for more than 100,000 fatal injuries each year, with hundreds of thousands of others the victims of health problems and serious injuries caused by poor working conditions. BWI explains that there are several common causes of serious construction accidents.

Falls
The most common cause of death in the construction industry, as construction workers often fall from significant heights. A construction site fall sometimes occurs due to a lack of edge protection on scaffolding and unprotected openings on shafts and stairways.

Falling Objects
Falling objects can strike construction workers and cause brain injuries or deaths. This is what makes wearing a hard hat so important. When construction companies do not provide tool belts or offer proper tool storage for workers, the risk of falling objects increases.

Crush Injuries
Construction workers are especially at risk for crush injuries when working with vehicles or in shafts or mines. Mines can collapse and vehicles can cause cave-ins. Excavation work can also cause mine walls to collapse.

Chemical Exposure
Construction workers are sometimes exposed to fumes, vapors, gases, dusts, and liquids that contain harmful substances. These substances can cause serious heart, lung, and nervous system defects. Personal protective equipment can reduce exposure, but some companies do not provide the right equipment in a misguided effort to cut costs.

If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries in a construction accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses and lost wages. The experienced Glendale construction site accident lawyers at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. will fight for your rights every step of the way. Call us at (602) 457-6222 to schedule a free and confidential review of your case.

Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in the United States, accounting for thousands of accidents and injuries each year. Implementing safety initiatives at construction sites is very important as it gives workers the opportunity to look out for their own safety and may help prevent serious Arizona construction accident injuries, according to EHS Today.

Hazard Identification
Managers and executives who are not “in the trenches” every day may have a difficult time identifying safety hazards and finding the source of safety issues. Involving employees in company safety initiatives allows them to give input on serious safety issues. EHS Today cites the case of one company that could not determine the source of an airborne sawdust problem. As soon as company managers talked to employees who worked with the woodchips causing the sawdust, they were able to determine the source of the problem and correct it quickly.

Cost Savings
Construction accidents cost companies a significant amount of money. They have to cover worker medical expenses and may have to pay fines issued by OSHA and other occupational safety organizations. Implementing safety initiatives may reduce the risk of accidents, which reduces the costs associated with workplace injuries.

Employee Responsibility
In many workplaces, employees see safety initiatives as a waste of time and money. Implementing the right safety initiatives in a construction company can actually help employees understand that they have an important role in identifying and fixing safety hazards. When employees have ownership of a problem, they are more likely to help prevent or fix it. Employees involved with safety initiatives can also act as mentors to other workers.

Many workplaces have implemented successful safety initiatives that reduce the risk of accidents. Unfortunately, not all construction companies take employee safety seriously. If you were injured in a construction accident caused by safety hazards that should have been corrected, the Chandler construction accident attorneys at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. can help. We know that a construction accident can leave you with medical bills and lost work time, and we’ll work hard to help you. To schedule a free review of your case, call us at (602) 457-6222.

An experienced Chandler personal injury attorney will be able to help victims of a fire understand their legal rights. Based on reports by AZCentral, 8 people have been injured in a fire at Intel Corporation, which has a located in Chandler. According to fire officials, there were workers who were welding outside the plant when something caught fire. The workers were treated for smoke inhalation. Three of the victims were taken to the hospital. Neither hazmat protection nor chemicals were involved in the fire. A few months earlier, another fire also occurred inside the plant’s solvent-collection room. We hope that the workers will recover quickly.

Arizona Fire Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every 175 minutes someone dies in a fire. Every 30 minutes, someone is injured due to a fire. This data comes from the 2009 statistics. Most of those who die from fires die because of the inhalation of smoke.

Arizona Work Place Injuries
Any employee is entitled to be compensated when he or she is injured while on the job. This is a right that an employee has when they are hurt while working at an Arizona company. Safety should also be emphasized while at work. Workers compensation laws can be very complex when you are working at the time of an accident and are injured. It is important to understand the workers compensation laws and make sure that you are being compensated for your injuries and your lost time from work.

Contact an Experienced Chandler Work Place Injury Attorney
When you are hurt on the job, it is necessary to speak to an experienced Chandler workplace injury lawyer. There are many different types of statutes in Arizona that are on point and need to be understood when you are hurt at the job. There are workers compensation benefits and employees who are hurt on the job can also be entitled to other benefits. If you are hurt by a third party that is not connected to your company you are entitled to workers compensation benefits and you may also be entitled to be paid by the third party as well for their negligence.

To understand your legal rights for Arizona work place injuries, call Alexis and Mark Breyer of Breyer Law Offices, P.C. Alexis and Mark have helped people for years that have been injured while working on the job in Arizona and can answer all your legal questions. For a free consultation call (480) 389-2463. You may also follow us on our Arizona Law Team Twitter account for news and other topics of interest.

Chandler Industrial Accident Injures One

Chandler industrial accident lawyers, Mark and Alexis Breyer, are experienced in assessing where negligence falls after a serious work injury accident. According to an ABC15 report, a man fell 20 feet while working in a Chandler warehouse on Monday, September 19, 2011. The man, who was believed to be in his 30’s, sustained serious head injuries and was then rushed to Scottsdale Osborn Hospital. An Occupational Safety and Health Administration representative, along with police officers, responded to the accident. The man’s current condition is still unknown.

Arizona Work Injury Accident Statistics

In any job site, falls from elevations are one of the hazards that workers face every day. Actually, any area for walking or working has the potential to be a fall hazard, whether it be from a far distance or as a result of an obstacle that caused a trip and fall. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health say that construction site falls are the third leading cause of death across industries. Falls lead the all the other causes of occupational death in the construction industry.

Arizona State Work Safety Laws

Falling is a hazard that is constantly present in the workplace. Even standing on a ladder to change a light bulb poses a risk, or walking up a flight of stairs. Therefore, when working on elevations, safety is a major concern. If the working area is 6 feet or higher, rails should be installed on the unprotected side or edge. A safety net system could also be used to ensure a worker’s safety. A worker could also make use of a personal fall arrest system. At the same time, the company responsible for hiring contractors should also maximize the safety of their workers.

Worker’s Compensation in Chandler Serious Work Injury Accidents

When a person is injured at work, they may receive worker’s compensation for their missed wages due to time off for their injury. However, there are many times in which worker’s compensation does not take into consideration the full earning capacity of an injured worker; for example, if the worker worked holidays, overnights, or overtime at a different rate, it is common that these rates are not calculated in the worker’s compensation amount. Always speak with an experienced work injury lawyer to assess your compensation level to be sure you are getting the correct amount.

Speak with Experienced Chandler Work Injury Lawyers

It is best to get a skilled Chandler personal injury lawyer to help assess the incident and make sure that all liable parties are held responsible. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by a fall while in the workplace, you may call us for a free consultation at (623) 455-6603. We may be able to help and we do not collect any fees until the case is fully settled.

Many people worry about wearing the latest fashions to work. From designer dresses to trendy shoes, coworkers can be brutal when it comes to giving fashion advice. There’s one industry where this attitude does not prevail, however: construction. Instead of worrying about the latest trends in fashion, construction workers need to worry about how their attire affects safety on the job. The work site is not the place for open-toed shoes or sleeveless tops, no matter how trendy they might be. Associated Builders and Contractors offers several clothing tips for those in the construction industry.

• Never take off your shirt on the job, no matter how hot it is. Wearing a shirt can protect you from several different types of injuries and from sustaining serious burns when working in the sun.
• Tuck your shirt in to avoid snagging it on construction materials.
• Avoid wearing canteens, name badges or anything else around your neck. They can get snagged on work materials, injuring your neck and increasing the risk of strangulation.
• Avoid wearing baggy pants, as they can cause you to trip. They can also get caught under construction materials and increase the risk of injury.
• Leave all jewelry at home, as rings, chains and bracelets can get caught in machinery.
• Wear safety boots with hard toes and high tops. This will protect you if you step on a piece of material or if something falls on your foot.
• Avoid wearing belts that are too long. The ends can get caught in equipment and cause machinery accidents.

Even if you protect yourself by wearing the right attire, you cannot always prevent construction accidents. Careless colleagues, unsafe working conditions and negligent supervisors increase the likelihood of accidents and injuries.

If you sustained injuries in an Arizona construction accident, call the experienced Phoenix construction accident attorneys at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. We have a track record of success in fighting for those hurt on the job. Contact us at (602) 457-6222 to discuss your case at no charge.

As lawyers who handle work injuries in Arizona, we know the importance of employees knowing their rights. Recently a rights poster, sized 11 X 17 is required to be openly displayed in the work area. The requirement that this poster be in an open and obvious place is causing quite a stir among business and labor leaders. The National Labor Relations Board issued a new rule requiring employers to display a sign which lists the rights of workers under the National Labor Relations Act. No new rights or regulations have been added to the list - simply the requirement to openly display the list itself, which outlines the rights, privileges, and protections already guaranteed to employees. The NLRB has agreed to supply businesses with the posters to reduce any costs on the employer’s end, and has said that is merely a continuation of pre-existing policies. After reading this sign, a worker who is injured might understand more of their rights in Arizona.

However, some business leaders are criticizing the new rule. Peter Schaumber, former NLRB chairman appointed by George W. Bush, has called the measure “arbitrary,” and “capricious.” Others worry that it will encourage workers to unionize, if they have not already done so. AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka, however, sees it as a natural step toward keeping workers aware and informed of their civil rights, as well as their rights to healthy and safe working environments.

Workers are entitled to many things in addition to the right to unionize - and the most basic of those is the right to work in a safe environment. As Arizona work injury lawyers, if you have been injured while on the job and are seeking compensation, you deserve the counsel of attorneys who focus in injury and wrongful death law and who can boast a 98% success rate in settling their cases. Contact the offices of the Husband and Wife Law Team Law for a free consultation today. Call 602-457-6222.

Although the number of construction accidents in the United States declined by 16 percent in 2009, the construction industry still accounts for the highest number of fatal occupational injuries in the country. The number of fatal injuries in the construction industry exceeded the number of fatalities caused by the transportation, agriculture and manufacturing industries in 2009.

Construction fatalities accounted for 19 percent of all occupational fatalities, with specialty trade contractors accounting for more of these fatalities than building construction workers and heavy construction workers.

Construction workers should follow all safety regulations mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to reduce the risk of accidents. Unfortunately, some employers have little regard for these regulations and do not give workers the tools and equipment needed to maintain a safe work environment. As experienced construction accident lawyers in Phoenix, we have seen first-hand the dangers that result from violating OSHA safety standards in Arizona. When employers skimp on safety equipment and worker training, several types of accidents can occur.

• Falls from scaffolding
• Crane accidents
• Electrical accidents
• Explosions
• Nail gun accidents
• Fires
• Elevator accidents
• Structural failures
• Equipment malfunction

These accidents lead to life-threatening and sometimes fatal injuries for workers just trying to earn a living. Following the established safety protocols are essential to preventing construction accident injuries in Arizona and nationwide.

If your loved one suffered a serious or fatal construction accident injury in Arizona as the result of someone else’s negligence, contact the experienced Phoenix construction accident attorneys at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. Our attorneys have the skills and expertise needed to work with accident victims and their families. We will work hard to get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Contact us today at (602) 457-6222.

According to the National Weather Service Forecast Office for Phoenix, heat is the number one weather related cause of death in the United States. In Arizona heat is the number one cause of weather related deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that from 1993 to 2003, 253 deaths in Arizona were heat related. Often times peoples whose jobs require them to work outside become victims of heat sickness and heat stroke.

With record breaking heat above 110 degrees being reported at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport the dangers of heat exhaustion increase. An excessive heat warning has been issued for Phoenix, Yuma, Lake Havasu, Bullhead City, and Kingman until Thursday. The risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke increases as the temperatures rise. According to ABC 15 temperatures this high put stress on a person’s body and can lead to heat-related illness or even death. As experienced work injury lawyers with the Arizona Law Team at Breyer Law Offices, P.C., we have seen how difficult recovering from a heat-illness can be, as well as how difficult a fatal heat-illness can be for a victim’s family.

According to the CDC defines heat stroke as the most serious heat-related illness. Heat stoke occurs when the body can no longer control its core temperature. Symptoms of heat stroke are a temperature of 103 and above, red hot and dry skin, rapid strong pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and unconsciousness. If you suspect a person is suffering from heat stroke you should try to cool their body rapidly by putting them in a cold bath, shower, spray them with a cold garden hose, or sponge cold water on the person while waiting for emergency help to arrive. If you work outside or in a hot environment and feel any of these symptoms you should stop work immediately and call 911.

If you or a loved one has suffered from heat stroke or other heat-related illness while working at an Arizona jobsite, our experienced on the job injury attorneys in Scottsdale please call (480) 753-4534, for a free consultation.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that as many as 2.3 million construction workers use scaffolding regularly. When workers do not erect or use scaffolding properly, falls and other accidents can occur. Workers and supervisors should follow several basic scaffolding safety tips to reduce the risk of these accidents.

• Avoid using unstable objects to support scaffolds. Workers should not use boxes, bricks or similar objects for support.
• Scaffolding must always have midrails and guardrails. Another safety feature required by OSHA is toeboards, which prevent materials from falling off the scaffold and hitting people on the ground.
• Workers should erect scaffolds a minimum of 10 feet from electric power lines to reduce the risk of electrocution and other accidents.
• A “competent person” must supervise the assembly, movement and dismantling of scaffold. This person must inspect scaffolding regularly and train employees on how to use scaffold properly.
• If a worker notices damaged or loose braces, screw legs, brackets or other scaffold components, he should report them immediately. These components should be immediately replaced or repaired.
• Workers should take care to keep rope away from heat sources to reduce the risk of fires.

These safety tips should help construction workers protect themselves from falls and other scaffolding injuries. However, workers cannot always avoid accidents caused by the negligence of others. The Tucson scaffold accident attorneys at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. have the experience needed to help you recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries, pain and suffering, and loss of income. Call us at 1-602-457-6222 for answers to your questions and advice on how to proceed.

Arizona construction workers are in constant danger of cave-ins, crane accidents, falls and scaffolding collapses. According to a news report, this summer, Arizona laborers have another potential danger to be worried about -- heat. All workers who spend their time outdoors in the Arizona heat are at risk of heat stroke and dehydration.

The Arizona Department of Health Services reported that 110 people were killed in heat-related injuries in 2009. Workers in the summer heat must literally consume gallons of water a day to stay hydrated. The most considerate and cautious supervisors will create a system that allows a rotating break system to keep employees from being under the sun for too long.

Workers suffering from heat-related symptoms may first suffer from muscle cramps or spasms. They may then start to sweat heavily, suffer a headache or even begin vomiting. Heat exhaustion can quickly turn into heat stroke, which can cause permanent organ damage or even death.

In order to prevent Arizona construction accident injuries, employers must provide their workers with adequate rest, shade and water. Work hours should be adjusted so that work done in areas without shade can be done during early morning or late evening hours. Sun block should be used at all times and workers should be encouraged to ask for a break if they are beginning to feel the effects of being in the sun too long.

No amount of safety precautions can prevent all Arizona construction accident injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured on the job in Arizona, call our experienced construction accident lawyers in Phoenix at The Breyer Law Offices P.C at 602-457-6222 for a free consultation. We can help you file for workers compensation benefits and even file a civil lawsuit if your injury resulted from someone else's negligence.