Construction Site Injuries: Who is Held Liable?

Injuries on construction sites often lead to costly medical bills, a diminished ability to work into the future and emotional pain and suffering. In most cases, workers’ compensation will cover these costs. However, third parties may also be held liable for construction site injuries, including property owners, general contractors and manufacturers of equipment. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help individuals determine their options.

Non-Employees

Construction work often occurs in high places like scaffoldings, roofs, and ladders. Tools, materials and other objects that are dropped or fall from those levels can cause severe injuries for someone below. It is one reason workers’ compensation lawyer identifies all potential third parties who may have been negligent in causing a client’s damage. It can be distressing to sustain a catastrophic injury or lose a loved one in a construction disaster. Besides the physical pain, there are medical bills and an inability to make ends meet. Killian Law Firm understands the intricacies of local and national workplace safety, negligence, and product liability laws and can help victims get reimbursement for their losses. Detailed evidence of pain and suffering, future lost income, and other damages are vital for a successful claim. Documentation such as doctor’s reports, job site photos, contractor documents and citation and violation records are important pieces of evidence for a strong case.

Worker’s Compensation

Workers’ compensation is designed to help injured construction workers cover expenses that arise after a workplace accident. Unfortunately, the system can be difficult to navigate as employers, property owners and contractors often cut corners and prioritize profits over safety. If you are hurt at a construction site due to the negligence of a third party, you may be entitled to additional compensation beyond your workers’ compensation claim. For example, if you were hurt on scaffolding because the contractor did not follow the safety codes, you can be liable for your injury. Many injuries suffered on a construction site can have long-term, life-altering consequences. These can include physical impairment, a diminished capacity to work in the future and high medical bills. So that you may guarantee you obtain the most amount of compensation, it is essential to have a knowledgeable attorney defend you in your case.

Third-Party Negligence

When an injury is caused by a third party that is not an employee, the victim can file a personal injury lawsuit against them. It is known as third-party negligence. Construction workers often have to work from heights on scaffoldings and rooftops. Falling from these heights can result in severe or fatal injuries if they are not properly protected. It is crucial to have a lawyer knowledgeable about the many forms of third-party negligence. In a third-party liability case, the attorney must investigate all parties involved in the project, including the owners of the property and general contractors working on the job.

Death on the Job

Even though it is a necessary part of the economy, construction is still a very dangerous industry. Construction workers know that they put their health on the line every day, and they sometimes get severely injured due to their work. When injuries are severe enough to miss time from work or require hospitalization, an attorney can help with a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ comp provides medical expenses, partial wage replacement and disability benefits. If a third party’s negligence led to your injury, you might be entitled to additional damages for pain and suffering; future lost income, property damage and punitive damages (in rare cases). Our firm represents workers, their families and non-employee bystanders in construction site injury cases. We will identify all responsible parties and build a case seeking maximum compensation for your losses.