What Are Common North Carolina Construction Site Accident Scenarios and Injury Types?

Even with federal and state regulations, construction work is still a dangerous profession in North Carolina. Land development involves construction sites located in residential, commercial, and industrial zones. Because construction projects can vary from high-rise towers to rural road work, workers often face changing conditions and unpredictable hazards. You may ask, what are common North Carolina construction site accident scenarios and injury types?

We can explore these different scenarios and how The Bollinger Law Firm can assist you if you hire a construction accident lawyer from our firm to represent you in your injury case.

What Are Common North Carolina Construction Site Accident Scenarios and Injury Types?

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there are four commonly fatal construction site accidents: falls, struck-by accidents, caught-in/by accidents, and electrocutions. These are sometimes called the “Fatal Four” because together they account for the majority of serious injuries and deaths on job sites.

In North Carolina, injured workers do not have to prove an employer’s negligence to qualify for workers’ compensation coverage. Coverage can include medical bills and prescriptions, wage replacement, and permanent disability benefits if you are unable to return to work.

An injured construction worker should notify their employer within 30 days of the incident to take advantage of these benefits. The North Carolina Industrial Commission requires Form 18 to be filed within two years of the incident. Missing either deadline can jeopardize your right to compensation.

Falls

The most common construction site accidents are falls—falls from scaffolding, from a higher surface like a roof, off a ladder, or into an unguarded floor opening. These accidents often occur when a site has inadequate fall protection, missing guardrails, unstable ladders, or slippery surfaces.

Weather can add to the danger, as sudden rain, wind gusts, or ice can make even well-built scaffolding hazardous. Common injuries from falls include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), broken bones, and spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis.

Struck-By Accidents

A struck-by accident happens when equipment, materials, or tools hit and injure workers. An estimated 75% of all fatal struck-by accidents involve heavy equipment. Accidents occur due to limited visibility, improper securing of materials and tools, or poor communication among construction site workers.

Common injuries include broken bones, severe lacerations, and sprains. Hard hats, high-visibility vests, and strict traffic-control plans can reduce risk, but heavy machinery and fast-paced work environments mean accidents can still happen.

Caught-In and Caught-By Accidents

A caught-in/by accident happens when a worker gets caught between machinery or tools and a hard surface, such as a wall or the floor/ground, or when the walls of a trench fall in while workers are in it. Trench cave-ins often happen without warning, trapping and injuring workers after the collapse.

Injuries from trench cave-ins can include crushed limbs, suffocation or asphyxiation, internal organ damage, a TBI, or a spinal cord injury. Proper shoring and soil testing are critical safeguards.

Electrocutions

Electrocution happens when a worker makes contact with live power lines and can be caused by faulty wiring, unlabeled energized equipment, or exposed underground or overhead power lines. Common injuries from electrocution include burns (both internal and external), cardiac arrhythmia or arrest, respiratory paralysis, and damage to muscle and soft tissues.

Electrocution can also cause secondary injuries, as an electrocuted worker is more likely to also suffer a fall, or the electrocution can propel a worker into heavy objects or machinery, causing injury. Between 2021 and 2024, nine North Carolina construction workers died from electrocution. Even when an electrocution injury is not fatal, it can lead to other serious injuries.

FAQs

Q: When Should You Hire a Construction Accident Lawyer?

A: If you or someone you know is injured on a construction site, you should hire a construction accident lawyer as soon as possible. However, do not delay medical care; a physician will document your injuries and advise on recovery care.

After seeking medical attention, contact a trusted accident lawyer familiar with North Carolina construction accident laws. An experienced attorney can help you gather witness statements, site photographs, and safety records that strengthen your claim.

Q: What Is the Most Common Type of Crash at a Construction Site?

A: The most common type of crash at construction sites is struck-by scenarios, which means workers get caught between machinery and hard surfaces like walls or flooring. Struck-by incidents can include being pinned by a reversing truck, loader, bulldozer, or forklift. Collisions between construction vehicles happen due to limited maneuvering space, missing or faulty backup alarms, or poor communication between machine operators.

Additionally, struck by incidents can involve foot traffic on the construction site, foot traffic from public roadways, and other vehicles from public roadways.

Q: What Is the Deadliest Accident Type for Construction Site Workers?

A: Falls and struck-by incidents are the deadliest types of construction site accidents in North Carolina. Workers can fall from scaffolds, roofs, ladders, and unfinished structural frames. Missing guardrails, unstable or slippery surfaces, or inadequate fall-arrest systems make these accidents common. If a construction site is located in a remote area, this could impact the speed of medical response, which can also affect the outcome of an incident.

Q: Which Construction Site Injury Commonly Results in Time Off Work?

A: Some of the most common construction site injuries that lead to time off work are musculoskeletal injuries like sprains, strains, or tears to tendons, ligaments, and muscles. These are often sustained when a worker overexerts themselves by lifting too-heavy loads, or through repetitive action that causes injury over time. Proper lifting techniques and ergonomic training can reduce risk, but tight deadlines often pressure workers to push past safe limits.

Hire a Construction Accident Lawyer at The Bollinger Law Firm, PC

If you or someone you know needs guidance with a workers’ compensation claim, contact The Bollinger Law Firm today to schedule a consultation to discuss your situation. Our founding attorney, Bob Bollinger, has litigated over 100 workers’ compensation cases and is recognized by the North Carolina Board of Legal Specialization as a Board-Certified Specialist in workers’ compensation law.

Our office is wheelchair-friendly and offers free on-site parking for your convenience. Do not take on powerful insurance companies alone. With the help of our legal team, you can get the compensation you deserve while also protecting your rights as you recover.