Construction is one of the most dangerous places to work. They pose a risk for workers and for others who are simply passing by. Accidents tend to happen often and are very common. These accidents may cause serious injuries, like brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or even death.
In some instances, construction accidents will involve OSHA investigations and other parties. If you are injured, make sure you fully consider your legal options and discuss them with a lawyer who specializes in construction accidents.
Common Injuries in Construction Accidents
- Accidents involving construction equipment, such as scaffolding, derricks, cranes, ladders, conveyors, graters, winches, scrapers, boilers, and backhoes.
- Falls
- Slip and Fall Accidents
- Caught between Objects
- Electrocution Accidents
- Chemical Burns
- Asbestos Exposure
- Repetitive Motion Injuries
- Power Tool Accidents
- Trenching Injuries
- Power Line Injuries
- Fires and Explosions
- Inadequate Barricades
- Building Collapse
Most injured construction workers are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, these benefits do not cover all the expenses an injured worker faces. They do not cover pain and suffering, and complete damages available to the loved ones of a worker killed in an accident.
Those responsible for an accident occurring are:
- Contractors and subcontractors
- Owners
- Electricians
- Engineers
- Architects
- Scaffolding Companies
- Equipment Manufacturers
- Insurance Companies
All of these third parties owe a duty of care to its workers. They need to provide a safe and follow a standard compliant construction site. In the event of their negligence, The lawyers at Adley Law Firm will review all of these third parties and those held responsible to determine if a third party might be liable for your damages.
The general contractor and subcontractors must provide a reasonably safe working environment. In addition, manufacturers of construction equipment are responsible for designing and maintaining safe products. In more complex cases, in addition to workers’ compensation and negligence, a construction accident attorney must consider the legal principles of agency and corporate law.
After a Construction Accident, What Are My Options To Recover Compensation?
In the event of a construction accident, you must first seek the advice of a construction accident lawyer that is familiar with Texas state laws as well as federal laws.
You must understand your rights under the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act. These benefits are available regardless of fault and provide medical care to those injured in an accident. They also provide partial income benefits to replace a portion of lost wages. So whether it was your negligence, your employer’s or a co-worker’s negligence that caused the accident, you may still be able to recover compensation.
Remember that providing workers with workers’ comp benefits protects employers from liability in a personal injury lawsuit. So that workers may be unable to sue their own employer for the injuries they suffered on the job site.
However, when a third party is to blame for the accident, you may pursue compensation and file a lawsuit. These types of cases are not uncommon since there are usually many parties involved in construction projects.
You must establish that the third party owed you a duty of care that they failed to do. They violated that duty by acting negligently, which caused you to suffer injuries and damages. So if a piece of equipment is defective, causes you injuries, you may be able to recover compensation in a product liability case.
What Cases Do We Handle?
We handle a wide range of cases, including injuries that involve:
- Falls from roofs, scaffolding, or ladders
- Electrocution
- Negligence of subcontractors, co-workers, or employers
- Crane, forklift, and other heavy machinery accidents
- Trench Collapses
- Truck and other motor vehicle accidents
- Improperly maintained or defectively manufactured tools and equipment, such as saws, nail guns, and other power tools
- Repetitive Stress Disorders
- Builder Neglect
- OSHA noncompliance
- Demolition Accidents
Speak to An Experienced Houston Construction Accident Attorney
Our lawyers have handled cases that have resulted in third parties manufacturing and designing safe products for its workers. We are confident that these safer products will save others from serious injuries and death of losing a loved one in the future.
If you or a loved one was involved in a construction accident, contact the Lawyers at Adley Law Firm at (713) 999-8669 or schedule a free consultation. We will fight for your rights and make sure you are compensated fairly.