The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) recently announced that construction season — otherwise known as Ohio’s “fifth season” — is officially underway.
In total, ODOT will be spending $2.3 billion on nearly 1,100 individual projects that will pave 6,945 miles of road and repair/replace 1,281 bridges. According to an ODOT press release, investment on roads and bridges this construction season is just short of the record-$2.4 billion spent in 2014 and 2015.
Given the level of spending on transportation this year, there is no doubting that many motorists will soon be seeing those orange construction barrels popping up all over the place. However, while many drivers may dread road construction, it is important to remember that these construction zones are someone’s workplace — meaning drivers need to be safety-conscious. After all, would you want someone driving 80 miles-per-hour through your place of business?
Like many other types of construction, road construction can be a very dangerous profession. In fact, not only is road construction physically demanding, but there are hazards around every corner — ranging from heavy machinery to impatient/speeding motorists. This is one reason why fines are increased in construction zones.
However, the sad reality is that road construction worker injuries are very likely to occur, often making it hard for the victim to make ends meet. This is where workers’ compensation benefits come in. Workers’ comp can help construction workers cover medical expenses and lost wages, thereby making it easier for them to pay their bills while they recover from their work-related injuries. To learn more, contact an experienced workers’ comp attorney as soon as possible.