What Are Common Types of Construction Accidents?

Construction sites are inherently dangerous environments because they are busy places, with many tasks, equipment, and materials. They also have many hazardous conditions present, including heights, heavy machinery, chemicals, and more. These risks can lead to many types of construction accidents, including:

• Falls. Workers who are performing tasks at elevated heights, such as working on scaffolding, ladders, or rooftops, are at risk of falling. In addition, busy work sites may have uneven surfaces, debris, and spills, which can pose a slip and fall and trip and fall risk.
• Equipment accidents. Construction sites rely heavily on cranes, bulldozers, backhoes, forklifts, and other heavy machinery. When this equipment malfunctions or is used incorrectly, workers may be struck by moving machinery or caught in between equipment. Even simple mistakes, such as failure to properly secure equipment, can result in catastrophic accidents such as amputations.
• Falling objects. Construction sites often have materials, tools, and debris stored overhead or on scaffolding. If these objects are not properly secured, they can fall and strike workers below. Even with hard hats and protective equipment, falling objects can cause head injuries and internal injuries.
• Electrocution. Accidents can occur when workers accidentally come into contact with live wires, faulty equipment, or damaged power tools. Electrocution can result in severe burns, nerve damage, or heart failure and is often fatal if not treated immediately.
• Cave-ins. When the sides of a trench or excavation site collapse, workers can become trapped beneath heavy dirt or debris. Proper trench shoring, bracing, and other safety measures are essential to prevent these types of accidents.
• Vehicle collisions. Dump trucks, cement mixers, bulldozers, and other vehicles are essential for moving materials around the site, but on busy sites these vehicles can easily workers, other vehicles, or stationary objects.
• Exposure. Construction workers may be exposed to hazardous substances, including asbestos, lead, or toxic chemicals, particularly in older buildings or during demolition projects. This can result in serious health conditions, such as respiratory diseases, cancer, or poisoning.
• Burns. Construction sites are often equipped with welding tools, propane tanks, and other heat-producing equipment, which can lead to fires or explosions. Burns can also occur if workers come into contact with hot surfaces, chemicals, or electrical equipment.

Proper training, use of safety equipment, regular site inspections, and adherence to local safety regulations can prevent many of these types of accidents. If you have been injured in a construction site accident, speak with an experienced attorney to find out more about the causes of your accident and possible avenues you may have to financial recovery.

Common Causes of Construction Accidents in Colorado

Construction sites are dynamic workplaces with vehicles and workers sharing space. They also often include working at heights and working with dangerous substances and heavy machinery. Despite these risks, injuries are not inevitable. Several factors can contribute to construction site accidents:

• Lack of care. A common cause of accidents is a contractor, employer, or equipment operator failing to take proper safety precautions, such as ensuring the safety of scaffolding, machinery, or personal protective equipment.
• Lack of proper training. Workers who aren’t adequately trained to operate machinery or handle hazardous materials are more likely to make mistakes that lead to accidents.
• Poor site conditions. Slippery, cluttered, or poorly lit or poorly organized work areas can increase the risk of injury.
• Inadequate safety measures. Construction projects require proper scaffolding, harnesses, and safety barriers. They also need safety checklists and processes to keep workers and site visitors safe. Failure to implement or follow these protocols increases the likelihood of accidents.

Any of the above factors can be grounds for a construction accident claim. Whenever a contractor, employer, site owner, or other responsible party fails to take common-sense precautions, they can be held liable if an injury results.

Common Construction Accident Injuries

Construction site accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, such as:

• Broken bones and fractures.
• Spinal cord injuries.
• Traumatic brain injuries.
• Burns and electrical injuries.
• Internal organ damage.
• Occupational illness.

In some tragic cases, construction site accidents can lead to fatalities. Families of those killed in construction accidents may have the right to file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation and justice.

Can I File a Claim for a Workplace Construction Accident In Colorado?

It’s important to understand that construction workers may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault type of insurance paid for by the employer. In the event of a workplace injury or illness, it pays for all required medical care and for a portion of lost wages. In some cases, it may also be possible to pursue a personal injury claim against third parties, such as contractors, equipment manufacturers, or other negligent parties.

If you have lost a loved one in a construction site accident, you may be able to file for workers’ compensation death benefits. You may also have a wrongful death claim.

If you’re not sure whether you can file a claim or don’t know what to do next, consult with Colorado construction accident lawyers. When you call the team at Flaxman Law Group, it costs you nothing to get a case evaluation from us, so you can at least find out the facts about what is possible in your situation.

Who Is Liable For a Colorado Construction Accident?

In Colorado, liability for construction accidents can fall on a variety of individuals or entities, depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident. The primary party often held liable is the employer or contractor overseeing the project. Employers have a legal duty to provide a safe working environment and to ensure that safety standards are followed.

Construction companies are also responsible for ensuring that workers are properly trained and that safety protocols are followed.

Construction projects often involve multiple subcontractors responsible for specific tasks, such as electrical work, plumbing, or roofing. If a subcontractor’s negligence contributes to an accident—such as failing to properly install safety equipment or performing substandard work—they can be held liable for injuries that result.

In some cases, the property owner can be held liable for construction site accidents. Property owners have a duty to maintain safe conditions on their premises and ensure that contractors and workers follow safety protocols.

Sometimes accidents occur due to faulty or defective equipment. If a piece of machinery or a tool malfunctions and causes injury, the manufacturer or supplier of the equipment may be liable. This includes cases where improper design, manufacturing defects, or failure to warn about potential hazards contribute to the accident.

In some cases, third parties unrelated to the construction site may be partially or fully responsible for an accident. For example, if an accident occurs due to a car crash involving a delivery driver transporting materials to the site or due to hazardous conditions created by a neighboring property, a third party may share liability.

In certain circumstances, construction site accidents can occur due to errors in the design or planning of the project. Architects, engineers, and designers are responsible for ensuring that the construction plans meet safety codes and standards.

What Compensation Can I Recover for a Colorado Construction Accident Claim?

Construction site accidents can result in serious injuries that affect your ability to work. If you’ve been injured on a construction site in Colorado, you may be entitled to compensation for the damages you’ve incurred, including:

• Medical expenses. Compensation from a third party claim or benefits from workers’ compensation can cover emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, medications, and any ongoing care you may need.
• Lost wages. If your injury prevents you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for the income you’ve lost as a result. If you have a workers’ compensation claim, you will be entitled to a portion of your average wages. If you have a third-party claim, you can seek compensation for all wages and any future reduced earning capacity.
• Pain and Suffering. You cannot secure this compensation with a workers’ compensation claim, but may be able to get this type of financial recovery with a personal injury claim.
• Death benefits. With both a workers’ compensation and personal injury claim, if you have lost a family member in a construction site accident, you can make a claim to get compensation for burial or funeral costs, financial support, and final medical bills.

In cases of gross negligence or intentional harm, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the at-fault party. If you have a third-party claim, you may also be able to seek compensation for any additional costs, such as the cost of replacing tools that were damaged in the accident or any incidental expenses you face because of your injury.

The amount of compensation you may receive for a construction site accident depends on several factors, including the impact of the injury on your life, the severity of your injury, and the degree of fault assigned to the negligent party.  In addition, the insurance of the liable parties will determine how much you may be able to recover.

How much you can secure will also depend on what kind of claim you may have.  In Colorado, injured construction workers may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, which provide benefits for medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. However, workers’ compensation benefits may not fully cover all the damages you’re entitled to, especially if the injury is severe and affects your long-term earning ability or quality of life.

In addition to workers’ compensation, you may also have the option to file a personal injury lawsuit against third parties who were responsible for the accident. This can allow you to seek additional damages, including pain and suffering, loss of future income, and more.

If you’ve been injured on a construction site, your legal team will also impact how much compensation you may be able to secure. An experienced attorney who can investigate the details of your case, identify all potential liable parties, and is willing to pursue your case aggressively may be poised to secure more compensation for you than a less-engaged lawyer.