Construction skilled-worker shortage causing rise in claims

The improved economy has boosted construction starts, but a shortage of experienced trade workers has led to more on-the-job injuries and construction defects, says Doug Cauti, senior vice president and chief underwriting officer of Liberty Mutual’s construction practice. The increase in injuries stems from mistakes such as falls from heights due to forgetting to tie off and tripping over items that could have been easily moved — things that experienced workers tend to avoid, Cauti says. Insurance executives are also seeing an uptick in construction-defect claims.

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