Backovers -- Leading Cause of Worker Fatalities in Work Zones

The leading cause of fatalities for workers in work zones is being run over or backed over by vehicles. Motorists on the road create a constant hazard for construction zone workers, but these workers are also at equal risk of being killed by construction vehicles. On average, each month, at least one road construction worker is killed by being backed over by a construction vehicle.

Between 1995 and 2002, 844 workers were killed while working at a road construction site. During this period, the most common type of incident involved a worker who was struck by a vehicle or mobile equipment (60% of fatal accidents). Other fatal events included collisions between vehicles or mobile equipment (10 %), being struck by an object (5%), and falls (5%). Eighty-two percent of workers killed in highway accidents worked in road and street construction.  

In Minnesota, several road construction workers have been killed in work zones. For example:

• In 1992, a highway paving crew member was killed after being run over by a rear end dump truck.
• In 1992, a highway construction flagman was killed after being stuck by a pickup truck.
• In 1994, a highway construction worker died after being struck by a vehicle while crossing a roadway.
• In 1995, a construction worker was killed after being run over by a 9-wheel pneumatic roller.
• In 1996, a conveyor operator died after being run over by a belly dump trailer.
• In 1997, a worker was killed after being run over by a Caterpillar.
• In 1998, a worker was killed after being run over by a front-end loader.
• In 1999, an electrician died after falling from a cherry picker basket.
• In 2000, a worker was killed after being crushed between a rock spreader and a pneumatic roller.

If you’ve suffered injuries as a result of a Minnesota work zone accident, you may be entitled to MN workers’ compensation benefits, including medical expense benefits, wage loss benefits, permanent partial disability benefits and rehabilitation benefits. If your loved one was killed in a work zone accident in Minnesota, you and your family may be entitled to MN workers’ compensation death and dependency benefits.

For a free, no-obligation case review, call Meuser & Associates at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email to speak with one of our workers’ compensation lawyers. Visit us at MeuserLaw.com to learn more about Minnesota workers' compensation.