Construction work is both America’s largest and most dangerous industry. Each year almost 500,000 workers suffer injuries as a result of their work in this hazardous line of work.

Construction sites are often laboratories of unsafe conditions. Injuries commonly result from falling objects, slips, trips and falls, and lifting, carrying or stacking of heavy items. Other frequent injuries are the result of crane and scaffolding accidents, electric shock, trench collapses and fires and explosions.

In addition to the medical costs of these injuries, many workers miss multiple days of work to recover, resulting in lost wages. Victims of the most serious injuries might never return to work. In some cases, construction site accidents can be fatal.