A tragic accident in Duxbury on Saturday left a 28-year-old man dead. Jason Sanderson, of Carver, was using a chop saw when the saw kicked back, striking him in the neck. Sanderson was rushed to the hospital with a severe neck wound, an injury that later proved fatal. Sanderson died at the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth. Sanderson and another worker were excavating an underground water line during the construction of a new home at 900 Tremont Street. In a statement, Duxbury Police Sergeant Dennis Symonds, said the accident occurred around 2 p.m. on Saturday.
According to investigators, the chop saw Sanderson was using “became bound”, then popped back, making contact with his throat. The company Sanderson was working for has not been released. The incident is currently under investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Duxbury Police Department. No foul play is suspected. If you’ve been injured in a work-related accident, contact a MA work injury lawyer today.
Common Causes of Construction Injuries and Death
In 2014, a total of 899 construction workers were killed in work-related accidents. This is more than 20 percent of annual work-related deaths across all industries. Although all construction work has inherent risks, some jobs are more dangerous than others. Construction’s “Fatal Four” account for the vast majority of construction deaths. Of the 899 fatalities in 2014, 545 were a result of the four most dangerous construction jobs in the country. What are the Fatal Four?
- Falling: Nearly 40 percent of construction-related deaths are due to falling
- Getting struck by an object: These accidents account for more than eight percent of construction-related fatalities
- Getting electrocuted – Electrocution also accounts for more than eight percent of construction-related deaths
- Getting caught in an object, or between two objects – More than four percent of all construction-related fatalities occur when a worker is crushed by collapsing equipment, caught in a machine, or compressed by objects or equipment.
How to Avoid Construction Accidents
Construction is a dangerous industry, but you can dramatically reduce your risk of being injured or killed by taking proper safety precautions. Equipment should be well maintained and inspected regularly, safety gear should be worn at all times, and workers should receive adequate training on a regular basis. If you are concerned that your work environment is unsafe, talk to your supervisor. If your supervisor doesn’t address your concerns, contact OSHA. Unsafe work environments are not to be taken lightly, especially when the unsafe environment is at a construction site. Hundreds of preventable deaths occur every year. If you were injured in a work-related accident, contact a MA work injury lawyer today.
Altman & Altman, LLP – Work Injury Law Firm Serving All of Massachusetts
If you have been injured on-the-job, the skilled work injury team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. We have been protecting the rights of MA workers for more than 50 years. Our knowledgeable attorneys will help you get the compensation you deserve. If you were injured in a work-related accident, you are likely eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. However, application errors and missing information can result in reduced or delayed benefits. Furthermore, if negligence played a role in your injuries, you may be entitled to additional benefits for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages. If you’ve been injured, we can help. Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.