Construction Injuries Affecting Carpenters

Carpenters and workers doing carpentry work are necessary on a wide range of construction projects, including residential and commercial properties that are new builds as well as remodels. While carpenters are essential for many aspects of construction work, these jobs can also be dangerous and are associated with various injury risks. According to data from the Center for Construction Research and Training, construction laborers have the highest rates of nonfatal injury on construction sites, but carpenters have the second-highest rate of nonfatal injuries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that there are more than 11,000 nonfatal injuries each year affecting carpenters working on construction projects, and that number has risen slightly in recent years.

Although data suggests that carpenters tend to sustain fewer fatal injuries than other types of construction site workers, they experience serious injuries that can result in many days away from work and the need for ongoing medical treatment. It is important to understand how carpenters sustain injuries in construction work and how to seek compensation through the Maryland workers’ compensation system.

Construction Carpenter Job Duties

While construction employers are required to take adequate safety precautions to prevent injuries to employees, including carpenters, some types of carpenter job duties have higher injury risks than others. As the BLS explains, while carpenters regularly perform various tasks that include duties such as following blueprints, taking measurements, and providing instructions to other laborers on construction sites, they are also required to perform certain tasks that do pose more injury risks, such as:

• Installing windows and molding;
• Using power tools to cut and shape wood, plastic, fiberglass, and many other materials;
• Installing building frameworks, often using heavy-duty equipment, which can include the installation of walls, floors, and doorframes;
• Inspecting and replacing damaged structures, including building frameworks;
• Installing concrete forms; and
• Erecting shoring and scaffolding for buildings.

To complete these types of tasks, carpenters use various power tools that often include circular saws, welding machines, and nail guns, as well as heavy machinery like cranes.

Common Construction Carpenter Injuries 

As a result of various job duties, construction carpenters can sustain various types of injuries while working on construction sites, including but not limited to the following:

• Traumatic amputations, especially involving the use of circular saws and other power tools;
• Severe lacerations, particularly involving circular saws and similar power tools
• Repetitive motion injuries from use of hand tools and power tools;
• Bone fractures due to struck-by injuries and falls; and
• Sprains, strains, and ligament tears due to repetitive motions like lifting and twisting.

Contact a Maryland Workers’ Compensation Lawyer 

If you were injured while working as a construction carpenter, you may be eligible to seek workers’ compensation benefits. One of the experienced Maryland construction work injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Steinhardt, Siskind and Lieberman, LLC can speak with you today to tell you more about workers’ compensation benefits. We can also help you to gather evidence to show that your injury arose out of your work and that you are eligible to receive benefits. Contact us today for more information and to get started on your workers’ compensation claim.

Sources:

bls.gov/iif/snapshots/osn-carpenters-2016-20.htm

cpwr.com/wp-content/uploads/CB-page-42.pdf

bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/carpenters.htm#tab-2