Construction accident deaths increased in 2012, according to federal study

According to an annual report recently released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), fatalities in the construction industry increased by 5% in 2012. This represents the first increase for construction workers since 2006. In 2012, approximately 775 workers were killed while working on the private construction sector, an increased form 738 such deaths in 2011. Although total hours worked in the construction industry increased in 2012, the increase in the death rate was five times the increase in hours worked.

According to the BLS, the construction sector is comprised of businesses primarily engaged in the construction of buildings or engineering projects such as highways and utility systems. Businesses involved in earth moving for constriction sites and projects are also included in this sector. Construction work includes new work, additions, alterations, maintenance and repairs.

Among construction fatalities, deaths among construction laborers increased by 10% in 2012. Deaths among roofers increased by 17%. Deaths among remodelers were greater than deaths among workers involved in new construction.

Other categories of construction workers with high numbers of deaths include those engaged in poured concrete foundation work, electrical contractors, and workers involved in site preparation. Most of the construction-related deaths were among contractors, workers employed by one firm but working at the request of another firm that exercises overall responsibility for the operations at the work site.

Construction Accident Lawsuits Filed by Our Law Firm

If you have been injured, or a loved one has been killed or injured in a construction accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Our law firm has years of experience handling work-related personal injury and wrongful death cases. Our name partners Michael Heygood, Jim Orr, and Eric Pearson are all board certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, all have significant trial experience and have all been named as Texas Super Lawyers by their peers for many years.*

For a free legal consultation and to find out if you are eligible to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, contact the attorneys at Heygood, Orr & Pearson by calling toll-free at 1-877-446-9001. You can also reach us by following this link to our brief consultation form.

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* Michael Heygood, James Craig Orr, Jr. and Eric Pearson were selected to the Super Lawyers List, a Thomson Reuters publication, for the years 2003 through 2013.