Work on construction sites often involves some level of risk, whether it be from heavy machinery, working up high or beside a busy road.
If you’ve been injured working in construction, it’s important you consider your rights when it comes to workers' compensation.
Construction site accident examples
Given the variety of work done in construction, Shine Lawyers has worked with clients who’ve suffered injuries in many ways.
Workers who perform a high degree of physical work, like labourers, are more at risk of muscle or ligament strains, as well as more serious conditions such as nerve damage. Workers responsible for power tools are at risk due to the potential for the tool to be used incorrectly, as well as hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).
Even workers who are not directly involved in construction, including managers, are at risk of injury on construction sites due to the dangers posed by moving objects, varying heights, noise, harmful dust and electricity.
Common construction injuries - statistics
When it comes to injuries in the construction industry, Safe Work Australia has found the three most common injuries sustained are:
Cuts and open wounds (31%)
Sprains and strains (21%)
Chronic joint or muscle condition (16%)
The main cause of these construction injuries was:
Hitting or being hit by something (31%)
Lifting, pushing or pulling objects (30%)
Falls from height (15%)
Construction worker injured - what are my rights?
If you’ve been injured while working in construction injury, you have a right to access workers' compensation while you recover from your injuries. This right applies to all construction workers, no matter their nationality or employment status. Employers in construction are required by law to carry WorkCover insurance in the event an employee is injured working.
If your workers' compensation claim is successful, you may be able to claim:
Medical expenses
Past loss of income
Lump sum statutory payment for permanent impairment
The payment you’ll receive will depend on your circumstances. Speak to our expert workers' compensation lawyers for an idea of your specific entitlements and legal options for future compensation.
Injured at work? How Shine Lawyers can help
If you’d like to talk to someone about your potential claim, we have a team of workers' compensation experts available for free, no-obligation consultations.
We run our workers' compensation legal services on a No Win No Fee* basis, meaning you won’t be left out of pocket if you decide to make a claim.
Contact us to get started on your workers' compensation claim.
*Conditions apply
