Sauk Rapids Workers' Compensation Law Blog

Minnesota construction workers face many physical risks when on the job. However, not every source of injury is specific to the industry. In fact, ladders pose one of the biggest safety threats. Ladder falls are hugely damaging in more ways than one, and can permanently alter a workers' life.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that falls are one of the highest causes of unintentional injury mortality. 43% of those falls are from ladders among the general populace. However, 81% of the fall injuries construction workers suffer from involve ladders.

When people in Minnesota are interviewing for a new job, their foremost concerns are often those related to formalities. Factors such as compensation, benefits and responsibilities are discussed in detail, but many people may not immediately begin thinking about the risks of their job. However, it is critical that people are familiar with the unique risks of both their industry and their job-related duties so they can actively seek training and instruction to better protect their safety. 

The Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index recently announced that of eight various industries ranging from health care and construction to retail and hospitality, overexertion was a reigning workplace risk across all sectors and one that could cause injury or even death in serious cases. Other common hazards included falls, roadway accidents and being struck or trapped by an object among other things. While awareness of such risks is a valuable first step, experts urge employers to understand the root causes of the risks in their workplace. Doing so can help them to develop programs designed to educate their employees on protocols to reduce their risk, optimize their work efforts and increase their overall safety. 

The construction industry is an integral part of the American workforce. However, this dangerous job leads to a significant number of injuries and deaths every year. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, there are 252,000 construction work sites across the U.S. on any given day, employing 6.5 million workers. In 2017 alone, 971 construction workers were killed. That equates to one in five workers who were killed in the U.S. were employed in the construction industry. The leading causes of these construction deaths are referred to as constructions ‘fatal four’, as they are the most dangerous in the industry.

Falls are the number one cause of death at the construction site. More than 39 percent of fatal accidents at the work site occur from falls. Employers are obligated to set up strong worksite platforms, scaffolding and work stations that are sturdy and can provide a safe workplace for employees.  The second most frequent cause of death in the construction industry occurs when people are hit by a falling object. Although workers are required to wear certain protective equipment, falling objects may be heavy and can cause serious damage.

The purpose of workers' compensation is to help injured parties cover medical and living expenses while they recover from their injuries. Workers' compensation is not supposed to serve as a long-term source of income. However, Minnesota workers' comp law does allow harmed workers to recover permanent total disability benefits if they are never able to return to gainful employment. If your injuries have left you disabled and unable to work, you may qualify for PTD.

According to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, you may be able to recover PTD if your injury or occupational illness results in the loss of both arms at the shoulder; loss of eyesight in both eyes; loss of both legs so close to the hip that you cannot use prosthetics; total and permanent loss of mental facilities; and/or complete or permanent paralysis. You may also be able to recover PTD if your condition hinders your ability to work at any occupation and if you fit into one of the three following categories:

•       You have a 17 percent permanent partial disability rating over your entire body
•       You have a 15 percent PPD rating over your entire body and were 50 years old at the time of injury
•       You have a 13 percent PPD rating, were at least 55 years old at the time of injury and you do not possess a GED or high school diploma