Construction Site Falling Object Injury Settlements

Falling objects are one of OSHA's Fatal Four hazards in the construction industry, responsible for hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries each year. When tools, materials, or debris fall from elevated work areas and strike workers below, the resulting injuries can be catastrophic.

Average Settlement Amounts

Minor injuries from falling objects settle for $25,000 to $100,000. Moderate injuries including fractures settle for $75,000 to $300,000. Traumatic brain injuries from falling objects settle for $200,000 to $1,500,000. Spinal cord injuries settle for $500,000 to $5,000,000. Wrongful death from falling objects settle for $750,000 to $10,000,000 or more.

Common Falling Object Injuries

Head and brain injuries are the most common and most serious injuries from falling objects. Even with hard hat protection, heavy objects falling from significant heights can cause concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries. Spinal injuries from the impact force. Shoulder and arm injuries from objects striking the upper body. Broken bones in the hands, feet, and legs. Crush injuries when heavy objects pin workers.

OSHA Requirements

OSHA requires construction sites to implement falling object protection including toe boards on scaffolding and elevated platforms, debris nets and catch platforms, tool lanyards to secure hand tools, barricades around areas where overhead work is being performed, hard hat requirements for all workers, and proper storage of materials to prevent them from falling.

Violations of these OSHA requirements constitute evidence of negligence and can significantly strengthen your claim. If the construction site had OSHA violations that contributed to the falling object incident, you may be entitled to enhanced damages.

Liability for Falling Object Injuries

Multiple parties may be liable for falling object injuries at construction sites. The general contractor has overall responsibility for site safety. Subcontractors who created the hazard may be liable. Property owners may share liability for unsafe conditions. Equipment manufacturers may be liable if defective equipment contributed to the incident. Safety equipment manufacturers may be liable if hard hats or other protective equipment failed.

Workers Comp vs Third-Party Claims

Workers compensation provides guaranteed benefits but does not include pain and suffering. If a third party such as a general contractor, subcontractor, or equipment manufacturer contributed to the falling object incident, you can file a separate personal injury claim for full damages including pain and suffering and potentially punitive damages.

Conclusion

Falling object injury settlements at construction sites range from $25,000 to $10,000,000 depending on injury severity. OSHA violations and third-party liability can significantly increase your total recovery.

Use our free settlement calculator to estimate what your falling object injury case might be worth.