How Can I Recover Compensation If I Was Hurt on a Construction Site?

 Posted on May 18, 2020 in Personal Injury

Few would argue that construction workers have one of the most dangerous jobs. When a construction worker is hurt on the job, they may be entitled to reimbursement for their medical expenses and missed work through worker’s compensation or insurance. In some cases, a personal injury claim against a responsible third party may also help a worker collect compensation for his or her injuries.

Laws regulating workplace injuries and worker’s compensation are often complex. It can be difficult to know exactly what you are entitled to collect after an injury. This is why it is essential for injured construction workers to consult with a skilled personal injury attorney

Common Construction Site Accidents

There are many different ways in which a worker, manager, or visitor to a construction site may be injured. Some of the most common include:

• Falls: Construction workers often work on ladders, roofs, and scaffolding, sometimes at very high heights. Falls can lead to severe injuries, disability, and death. Slip and fall accidents are also common on construction sites. Clutter, tools, building debris, uneven ground, and spilled liquids can cause a worker to slip or trip and become seriously injured.
• Trench collapse: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 270 construction workers died in excavation or trench cave-ins from 2000 to 2006. Sadly, many trench collapses result in permanent disabilities or death.
• Falling building materials: Devastating injuries can be caused by debris or building material falling on a worker. A worker struck by an object may suffer broken bones, internal organ damage, traumatic brain injuries or other life-altering harm.
• Machinery accidents: Construction workers often use heavy machinery like bulldozers and cranes, as well as tools like nail guns and jackhammers. Many workplace injuries are the result of defective, broken, or misused machinery.
• Fires and explosions: Construction sites sometimes contain unfinished electrical systems, exposed piping, gas leaks, and other fire hazards. A worker caught in a fire or explosion may suffer from horrible burns and internal organ damage due to smoke inhalation.
• Chemical burns: Strict laws regulate the use and containment of hazardous chemicals. Chemical burns can cause extreme pain and major damage to tissue and nerves.

Who Is At Fault for a Construction Site Accident?

Depending on the circumstances of the injury, a number of parties may be legally responsible for a construction worker’s injury or death. Liability may lie with the:

• General contractor or subcontractor
• City or government agency overseeing the construction project
• Machine manufacturer
• Property owner
• Engineer
• Architect

Determining who is at fault for a construction site accident can be extremely difficult without legal assistance from a lawyer experienced in construction site injury lawsuits. A lawyer will investigate the facts of your case, interview witnesses, and collect evidence to find the party responsible for your injuries and hold that party responsible. You may be entitled to compensation for your ongoing medical needs, pain and suffering, disability, reduced employability, and more.

Contact a Rockford, Illinois Construction Worker Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one have been injured in a construction site accident, contact an experienced Winnebago County construction accident attorney at Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Injury Law, for help. Call our office today at 815-215-7561 to schedule a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/trenching/default.html