Construction sites pose risks and hazards to all who work or frequent the location, including construction workers and site visitors. Despite stringent safety precautions and regulations, accidents and injuries frequently occur at these sites, often resulting in devastating consequences for the victims.
If you suffered a construction site accident, a construction accident lawyer can explain your legal rights and the potential compensation available to you.
Types of Common Construction Site Injuries
If you suffer injuries due to these or other types of accidents, consult an experienced construction accident lawyer to maximize your chances of receiving fair compensation. A construction accident lawyer can guide you through the complex legal process, gather evidence, and advocate on your behalf to protect your rights.
Common construction site accidents include:
Falls From Heights
Falls from heights are among the most common construction site accidents, often resulting from inadequate fall protection, unstable scaffolding, or unsecured ladders. Employers are responsible for providing adequate fall protection measures, safety equipment, and proper training to prevent such accidents.
If you suffer an injury in a fall from any height due to the negligence of your employer or another party, a construction accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your injuries, lost income, medical expenses, and other damages.
Struck-by Hazards
If you work on a construction site, you can sustain injuries due to falling objects, moving vehicles, or swinging equipment. To prevent such accidents, employers must enforce the necessary safety measures, such as barricades, warning systems, and the proper storage of equipment and materials.
A construction accident lawyer can help you seek compensation for your injuries and associated costs if an object strikes you because of employer negligence or failure to adhere to safety regulations.
Electrocutions
Electrocutions can occur due to contact with live wires, improper use of electrical equipment, or inadequate grounding. Employers should ensure they maintain electrical systems properly and provide workers with the necessary training and the appropriate protective equipment to prevent electrocutions.
If you suffer electrocution due to negligence, a lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, loss of income, and other damages.
Caught-In/Between Accidents
Caught-in/between accidents occur when heavy equipment, materials, or other objects crush or restrict a worker causing injury. Possible preventative measures for these injuries may include proper equipment maintenance, training, and adherence to Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations.
If you sustain injuries in a caught-in/between accident, a construction accident lawyer can help you seek compensation for your injuries, including medical expenses, income losses, and other damages associated with the accident.
How Does Workers’ Compensation Apply to Injured Construction Workers?
Workers’ compensation is a state-mandated insurance program designed to provide financial benefits to employees who sustain work-related injuries or illnesses. These benefits typically cover medical expenses, partial earnings replacement, vocational rehabilitation, and other associated costs.
While workers’ compensation can provide essential support for injured workers, it may not cover the full extent of their losses. For instance, workers’ compensation does not provide compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. Additionally, it may not fully cover lost income, especially in cases of severe injury or long-term disability.
When Do You Consider Filing an Injury Claim for a Construction Accident?
A lawyer can help you with the process of a worker’s compensation claim. Additionally, if you suspect that negligence contributed to your injury, you may pursue additional compensation through a personal injury claim.
A construction accident lawyer can determine whether you can pursue this option.
In cases where you can file a personal injury claim, an experienced lawyer can navigate the complex legal process, gather evidence to support the claim, and seek appropriate compensation for your injuries and losses.
What Is Third-Party Liability in Construction Site Injury Cases?
If your injury on a construction site occurs because of a third party’s negligence, you may seek a personal injury claim against that party. You can engage a construction accident lawyer to evaluate your case, identify potentially liable parties, and guide you through the process of seeking compensation.
An experienced personal injury attorney can build a strong case against negligent third parties, ensuring that you receive fair compensation for your injuries and other losses.
Through skilled legal representation, you can hold the parties responsible accountable for their actions and secure the financial support you need throughout your recovery and for any future impacts.
Potentially liable third parties include:
- Subcontractors: In some cases, you may hold subcontractors responsible, especially if their negligence created a hazardous condition or contributed to an accident on the construction site.
- Equipment manufacturers: Defective equipment can lead to severe injuries on construction sites. If faulty equipment causes your injury, the manufacturer may be liable for damages, including medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
- Other parties not directly employed by the construction company: In some situations, individuals or entities not directly employed by the construction company, such as architects, engineers, or delivery drivers, may be responsible for injuries on site.
General Time Limits for Filing a Construction Accident Claim
The statute of limitations refers to the time limit within which you must file a personal injury claim. The specific statute of limitations varies depending on the state but typically ranges between two and four years from the date of the injury. You should consult with a construction accident attorney for guidance to determine the statute of limitations that applies to your situation.
In some cases, the statute of limitations may extend due to certain factors, such as a possible delay in the discovery of the injury or the defendant’s concealment of their negligence. However, these exceptions are rare and not universally applicable.
You must consult with a construction accident lawyer as soon as possible after your injury. This allows the attorney sufficient time to gather and preserve essential evidence, initiate legal proceedings within the required timeframe, and maximize your chances of securing fair compensation.
Failure to take timely legal action may result in the loss of the right to pursue a personal injury claim, leaving you with the financial burden of their injuries and losses and without recourse to recover damages.
Timely legal representation is essential to navigating the complexities of the statute of limitations and ensuring that you do not forfeit your right to seek compensation for your injuries. By working closely with a construction accident lawyer, you can protect your rights and secure the financial support you need to recover and move forward with your life following a construction site accident.
Evidence in Construction Site Injury Cases
You must present compelling evidence to demonstrate the defendant’s negligence to successfully pursue a personal injury claim for a construction accident injury.
This evidence may include:
- Incident reports: Official records of the accident, such as reports on file with OSHA or internal company documentation, can provide valuable information about the circumstances surrounding the injury and the parties involved.
- Witness statements: Testimony from fellow workers or other individuals who witnessed the accident can help establish the sequence of events, the conditions at the construction site, and the actions of the involved parties.
- Photographs: Photographic evidence of the accident scene, equipment, and any visible injuries can help illustrate the conditions at the construction site and any potential safety violations.
- Medical records: Documentation of any medical treatment, diagnoses, and prognosis can establish the extent and severity of the injuries sustained, as well as the potential long-term impact on their quality of life.
Role of a Lawyer in Obtaining Evidence in a Construction Accident Case
A skilled construction accident lawyer plays a crucial role in obtaining and organizing the necessary evidence to build a strong case for you. This includes interviewing witnesses, requesting and reviewing official records, and obtaining expert testimony in some cases. Furthermore, an attorney can help develop a persuasive narrative based on the gathered evidence, effectively presenting the case to the court, insurance companies, or opposing counsel.
With their background and knowledge in personal injury law, a lawyer can work to collect all relevant evidence and present it in a manner that maximizes your chances of securing fair compensation for your construction site injuries.
Construction Site Accident Damages
A personal injury claim allows you to pursue more damages than a worker’s compensation claim. Under worker’s comp insurance, you can typically only seek recovery of medical expenses and some income losses. In a personal injury claim, you may be eligible to recover various types of damages to compensate for your injuries and related losses.
Damages for construction site accidentsmay include:
- Economic damages: These damages cover the financial losses and expenses incurred due to the injury, such as medical bills, lost income, and future earning capacity. They can be relatively easy to quantify and usually depend on objective factors, such as income and medical expenses.
- Non-economic damages: These damages compensate for non-tangible losses, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Non-economic damages can be more challenging to determine, as they depend on subjective factors unique to each individual and often require expert testimony to establish their value.
Factors That May Influence Damages Awarded
Several factors can affect the amount of damages you may recover in a personal injury claim, including:
- Severity and permanence of the injury: More severe and permanent injuries typically result in greater damages, since they have a more substantial impact on your life and financial well-being.
- Mitigating factors: Certain factors, such as pre-existing medical conditions and subsequent injuries, may impact the valuation of damages.
- State statutes: The state where the accident occurs can also influence the amount of damages awarded. Some states may limit the type or amount of compensation you may recover in a construction accident case.
Consult an experienced construction accident lawyer to secure the maximum possible compensation for your injuries. An attorney can navigate the complexities of damages in personal injury claims, ensuring that the insurer or court considers the relevant factors and values the incurred damages appropriately.
The Role of a Construction Accident Lawyer in Construction Site Injury Cases
Construction site injury cases often involve multiple parties and complex legal and regulatory considerations. An experienced construction accident lawyer can navigate the legal process, protect your rights, and ensure you take all necessary steps to build a strong case.
Gathering evidence and building a strong case: The success of a personal injury claim largely depends on the strength of the evidence presented. A skilled construction accident lawyer can efficiently gather and organize the necessary evidence to prove negligence and demonstrate the extent of the damages sustained.
Advocating for your rights to fair compensation: An attorney experienced in personal injury law can advocate on your behalf and negotiate with insurance companies and opposing counsel to secure a fair settlement. If a settlement is not possible, the lawyer can represent you in court, present your case to a judge or jury, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
You can significantly improve your chances of obtaining fair compensation for your injuries and related losses by retaining a construction accident lawyer.
Protecting Workers’ Rights After a Construction Accident Leading to Injury
Construction site accidents can cause devastating injuries, resulting in severe, permanent, or even fatal consequences. A lawyer can protect your rights, secure the compensation you deserve, and explain the legal obligations of construction companies, contractors, site owners, and relevant OSHA regulations. Reach out to a personal injury lawyer.
Given the complexities of construction site injury cases, seek legal representation from an experienced construction accident lawyer. Consult a construction accident lawyer as soon as possible following an accident. By doing so, they can protect your rights and improve your chances of obtaining fair compensation for your injuries and related losses.
Mr. Finkelstein is the Managing Partner of Finkelstein & Partners, LLP. He has become a noted consumer activist through his representation of injured individuals against corporate wrongdoers and irresponsible parties.
An accomplished litigator, Mr. Finkelstein has represented Plaintiffs in wrongful death and catastrophic personal injury cases. He has successfully handled dozens of multi-million dollar cases.