Hard hats are a must on a construction site. They are one of the most recognizable pieces of safety gear, shielding workers from falling tools, debris, and other hazards. But they are not a guarantee of safety. When a heavy object falls from a significant height or hits with enough force, even the best hard hat may not fully protect someone from serious harm. Falling object construction injuries in Houston still happen, often with life-changing consequences.
That is why safety equipment alone is not enough. There must also be safety protocols in place to prevent the object from falling in the first place. When these protocols are ignored, accidents can happen. That is when you need a savvy construction injury attorney to help you determine what went wrong and who is liable for your injuries.
How Serious Are Falling Object Injuries on Construction Sites?
People tend to think of falling debris accidents as something that will only leave a bruise. On an active job site, the reality is often far more serious. Even with a hard hat, a falling object could cause:
- Vision loss
- Spinal trauma
- Facial injuries
- Skull fractures
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Shoulder, back, neck, or collarbone injuries
Hard hats are typically rated to protect against small or midweight objects falling from relatively short distances. They are less effective against larger materials falling from scaffolding or cranes. The resulting impact can exceed the limits of even the highest-rated safety helmets. It is also common for debris to hit areas of the body not protected by a hard hat, like the shoulders and face.
Falling object construction injuries can lead to lasting physical, emotional, and financial challenges for Houston workers and their families.
What Causes These Accidents on Job Sites?
Falling object injuries on construction sites in Houston are almost never random. They usually happen because someone made a careless decision or ignored safety protocols. Tools and materials might be stored at the edge of a platform, and items left unsecured can shift and fall without warning. Some crews skip the basics, like installing toe boards or netting around elevated areas, because they are cutting corners to get the job done faster.
Falling objects can also be the result of faulty equipment. A crane might drop a load due to poor rigging, or there might be bad communication between workers at different levels of the site, leading someone to walk through an area where work is happening overhead.
Whatever the circumstances, most of these accidents are preventable. Under Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, § 1926.451(h), companies are required to implement falling object protection when using scaffolding. This includes guardrails and catch platforms. When those safeguards are missing and someone gets hurt, the employer or site operator may be held legally responsible.
Injured by a Falling Object at a Construction Site in Houston? Let Us Help
Protective gear is important. But when something goes wrong on a construction site, gear alone will not prevent every injury. If you or a loved one has suffered falling object construction injuries in Houston, let KGS Law Group get to work.
We have years of experience dealing with construction site injury claims. Our team could investigate your injury, identify the responsible parties, and file a claim to fight for the financial compensation you deserve. Medical bills and lost income can take a serious toll on you when you are trying to recover from an injury, and those expenses should not be coming out of your pocket. Our job is to make sure you are not carrying this burden alone.
Contact our office today for a free consultation with a lawyer.