{"id":9429,"date":"2025-12-01T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.businessinsuranceusa.com\/news\/?p=9429"},"modified":"2026-03-18T14:06:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T21:06:38","slug":"common-construction-accidents-and-how-insurance-helps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.businessinsuranceusa.com\/blog\/insurance\/common-construction-accidents-and-how-insurance-helps\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Common Construction Accidents \u2014 and How Insurance May Help"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span>Estimated reading time: <\/span>1<\/span> minute<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Construction ain\u2019t a desk job. Nothing against desk jobs, of course. But when things go wrong in construction, it won\u2019t be just a papercut. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The work builds communities. But accidents happen<\/a>. Quick. Even suddenly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter how sharp your crew (or strict your safety practices)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In construction, many businesses may have requirements to carry certain types of coverage, often General Liability insurance<\/a> and workers’ comp if you have employees as defined by your state\u2019s rules. Even if you’re just a subcontractor supplying a sidewalk shed or just dismantling after the main project is done. So let’s strap in and look at what could happen when things go wrong and how insurance could (at least try) to make it right for your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Falls from Heights (Scaffolding, Sidewalk Sheds, Roofing Work)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Falls in construction ruin lives. It\u2019s never a good story when a worker falls. New York has an unusual labor law \u00a7240 (the \u2018Scaffold Law\u2019)<\/a> that may impose strict\/absolute liability on owners and general contractors for certain elevation\u2011related injuries. Other states typically rely more on negligence standards and workers’ compensation<\/a> rules and regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being pulled into a lawsuit is common in the construction industry, although coverage provided under General Liability depends on allegations, policy terms, and endorsements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Struck-by Incidents<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On a crowded site, things are flying. Everywhere!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tack on workers being tired after a long day (or negligent employer practices that no one likes to admit to), and you\u2019ve got a recipe for disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll need coverage when a tool falls from a scaffold, hitting someone on the head, causing a concussion. Or even worse, a passerby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inspect your job sites regularly to confirm your workers are wearing their hard hats. It keeps them safe and may also help during underwriting and loss\u2011control reviews. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Electrocutions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Electricity is running through construction sites all over. So it’s no wonder they account for a significant portion of construction site injuries and deaths. High voltage, high heights, it’s a dangerous situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes it\u2019s a live wire that wasn\u2019t grounded. Sometimes it\u2019s a drill contacting a hidden line. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Devastating either way. Since the injury risk is high and the damages associated with these injuries could easily reach six figures, you\u2019ll need coverage in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Slips, Trips, and Falls (On The Ground)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

They sound minor. But if you\u2019ve spoken to a slip and fall<\/a> victim, you may know already how serious things could go wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slippery surfaces on the job sites could cause serious injuries:<\/p>\n\n\n\n