Hawaii news reports that a man has died in a construction site in Kona Village. According to reports, he was killed trying to get the attention of another worker operating an excavator at the site. The fatality occurred when the man positioned his ATV in front of the excavator to flag him down. Unfortunately however, the excavator operator ran over the smaller vehicle. The incident remains under investigation.
Construction sites are inherently dangerous, and construction work is one of the riskiest professions.
The leading types of construction accidents and fatalities include falls from heights, being struck by an object, electrocutions, and being caught in-between.
According to OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration), these “Fatal Four” account for nearly 60% of all construction site accidents.
Where injuries occur, it may be possible to file a claim for damages. In some situations, it is appropriate to file a Hawaii worker’s compensation claim. Other times, the best way forward is to bring a civil personal injury lawsuit based on third-party negligence. A third-party claim may be possible in several different types of situations, such as where a contractor created an unreasonable danger that led to harm occurring. In a workers’ compensation matter, a party can recover regardless of fault, however the amounts are often lower than in a civil lawsuit.
An experienced Hawaii personal injury attorney can provide the advice you need to ensure you make the best recovery possible. For more information or if you or a loved one have been injured in a construction accident, please call the experienced Hawaii personal injury attorneys at Bostwick & Peterson, LLP for an immediate consultation.