Construction Accident Lawyers

Construction sites are filled with heavy machinery, electrical wires, vehicles, workers, and dangerous chemicals. They’re busy places where things change quickly and injuries can happen at any time.

If you’re ever injured when visiting or walking by a construction site or are injured while working on such a site, contact the construction accident lawyers at Flaxman Law Group. In a free consultation, we can answer your questions and discuss options you may have for compensation.

Construction Accident Claims

Construction accident claims are legal actions taken when someone is injured or suffers damages while working on or visiting a construction site. These claims can arise from various incidents, such as falls, equipment malfunctions, or unsafe working conditions. This type of personal injury claim is often complex because of the many potential liable parties and because of the possibly catastrophic injuries that are often involved.

If a worker is injured on a construction site, they typically start by calling for emergency medical help if it’s needed and reporting the incident to their employer. From there, the process usually involves:

• Gathering documentation. If you’re injured on a construction site, keep records of the accident, medical treatment, and any communications. Write down anything you can remember of the accident, get contact information for any witnesses, and continue documenting your injury. Keep receipts of any medication and costs related to your injuries.
• File a claim. You may have a workers’ compensation claim if you’re an employee who is injured while working on a construction site. You may have a personal injury lawsuit if you’re a visitor to the site or a bystander who is injured. Working with construction accident lawyers can help you determine what claim to file. A lawyer can also file the claim for you.
• Wait for a decision. If you file a workers’ compensation claim, you’ll wait for your employer or insurer to make a decision about your case. If your claim is denied, you can appeal. If you file a personal injury claim, you will wait until your attorney can reach a settlement for you or you will wait for your case to work its way through the courts if no settlement is reached.

Construction accident cases are complex. They involve paperwork, documentation of your injuries, and wait times. Working with experienced construction accident lawyers ensures you have someone working for you, protecting your rights.

Common Causes of Construction Accidents

Construction sites are often busy and can be dangerous places. Common causes of construction site accidents include:

• Lack of safety gear. Personal protective equipment, like helmets, gloves, and safety glasses, keeps workers safe. When workers don’t have access to the right gear and aren’t instructed about the right use of this equipment, they’re more susceptible to injuries from accidents.
• Inadequate training. Construction sites sometimes have high turnover or make use of casual labor. Nevertheless, it’s vital that everyone working on a construction site is properly trained, especially when it comes to safety. If workers don’t understand how to use equipment safely or how to follow safety guidelines, they may put themselves and others at risk.
• Poor site conditions. Construction sites can be cluttered and chaotic, but it’s still essential that unsafe conditions such as debris, spills, and uneven surfaces are addressed promptly. Well-organized work sites can also reduce the risk of falls and other injuries.
• Inadequate lighting. When workers can’t see properly, they’re more likely to fall or get injured.
• Poor safety processes. Site managers, supervisors, and those in charge of a work site are expected to have adequate processes in place that keep workers organized. This can include having checklists to make sure that nothing is overlooked and installing signs to remind employees about safety processes. When safety processes aren’t in place and aren’t followed, serious injuries can happen.
• Overwork. Not having enough workers and expecting contractors or workers to stay on site for long hours can contribute to fatigue that can cause drowsiness and poor decision making. That can be a disaster when combined with the heavy machinery and busy nature of construction sites.
• Inadequate security. Property owners are expected to hire security guards where necessary and to use security and alarm systems to keep unauthorized people away. When there isn’t adequate security on a site, trespassers can steal, assault workers, and cause other damages.

In many cases, the causes of construction accidents are preventable. Proper processes, training, and supervision can ensure that even busy sites are safe for workers and visitors.