A 30-year-old construction worker suffered personal injury that required hospitalization after he was hit on the head by a falling object while working at John Wayne Airport the morning of November 30, 2009. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the man was with other construction workers who were driving hundreds of steel-reinforced piles into the ground for the structure.

Construction Worker Injured

The worker, who had been wearing his hard hat, was apparently standing near a pile rig when the metal object dropped, striking him on the head. The injured worker was transported to an area hospital by ambulance. The extent or severity of his injuries is not clear, but officials say he was conscious when he was being transported to the hospital. Airport authorities as well as officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating this incident.

I sympathize with this injured worker and his family. He has obviously sustained head injuries, but the severity of his job injury accident is not known at this point. I hope his injuries were not major and wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. This injured worker and his family will be in my prayers.

Construction Accident Fatality and Injury Statistics

According to the California Department of Occupational Safety and Health, in the year 2005, there were 48 fatalities involving workers who were struck by falling objects. The agency also reports that during the same year, 76 workers died as a result of contact with objects and equipment.

In this particular case, it is not clear how or why this worker was injured. I trust investigators are looking into the causes right now. This injured worker will likely receive California workers compensation benefits from his employer. However, if his injuries are severe, it would be in the worker's best interest to look into the possibility of filing a third-party claim. Such claims are usually filed against an individual or entity other than the employer, who may have caused or contributed to the worker's injuries. This may be a contractor, sub-contractor, a negligent worker or the manufacturer of a defective product. An experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer, who is well-versed in California workers compensation laws and has successfully filed third-party claims, will be able to help this family proceed, should they choose to pursue their legal rights.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.