Asphalt Layers and Construction Work Injuries
Construction work in Maryland is among the most hazardous work that a person can be involved in, whether you are working as a roofer in construction, in trench and excavation work, in renovation and demolition, or in road construction. In many ways, road construction work poses some of the greatest injury risks to workers given that there are also injury hazards associated with third-party motorists in addition to the injury risks associated solely with the road construction itself. If you were injured while laying asphalt in a road construction project, or if you lost a loved one who was performing this type of work when a deadly accident occurred, it is important to learn more about your options for seeking compensation.
Dangers Associated with Asphalt Laying in Road Construction Work
How is laying asphalt dangerous for construction workers? There are actually a wide range of hazards associated with this particular type of work in the construction industry. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cites many of these injury risks, which include the following:
- Carcinogenic exposure to asphalt fumes, as well as to asphalt modifiers and additives, which can result in immediate harm in some cases or occupational diseases after extended exposures over time;
- Extremely hot materials that can result in disabling and life-threatening burns;
- Injuries associated with asphalt-laying heavy machinery, including struck-by accidents;
- Dangerous atmospheric heat when working outdoors in warm months of the year; and
- Motor vehicle risks posed by drivers of vehicles on the highway area around where the road construction and asphalt laying is taking place.
Options for Seeking Compensation After an Asphalt-Related Road Construction Accident
What are your options for seeking compensation after a serious injury arising out of your work laying asphalt on a road construction project? It will depend on the type and cause of the injury.
For injuries arising out of the asphalt materials, machinery, or environment, you will need to learn about your eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits. If you can show that your injury arose out of and occurred in the course of your employment, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits that include medical care, wage-replacement payments, and disability benefits.
If you were struck or otherwise injured by a third-party motorist who caused an accident in the road construction area, you may be able to seek workers’ compensation benefits immediately and then to file a third-party personal injury lawsuit against the negligent motorist. If the accident resulted in the death of a construction worker, it may still be possible to hold the negligent motorist accountable through a wrongful death lawsuit.
Contact a Maryland Construction Worker Injury Attorney for Assistance Seeking Compensation After an Asphalt Injury
Were you injured while doing asphalt work in a road construction project? You should reach out to one of the experienced Maryland construction worker injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Steinhardt, Siskind and Lieberman, LLC as soon as possible to begin working on your claim for compensation. Contact our firm today to learn more about how we can help injured construction workers to obtain payment for medical care, lost wages, and more.
Source:
osha.gov/asphalt-fumes/hazards
