Navigating the Complexity of Construction Accident Law

The very nature of construction lends itself to high death rates as well as permanent and debilitating injuries. With an estimated 18.3 deaths per 100,000 workers, construction is reported as one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States, through accidents caused by negligent or reckless workers or supervisors, defective equipment, inadequate safety precautions and other dangers. Some examples in the news include the following:

• A construction worker gets his leg stuck in an auger inside a dry cement mixing truck, and requires the assistance of a specialized surgical team to get his leg out of the machine
• A pedestrian is seriously injured in a construction accident after being struck by a truck and pinned beneath it
• A construction worker falls 15 feet to the ground, sustaining injuries to his head and breaking his arms
• A construction worker is killed by getting caught under an excavator and being crushed by the 40,000 pound vehicle

Many parties are involved in construction accident claims, either directly (owners, design professionals, contractors, subcontractors, workers) or indirectly (liability insurance, workers’ compensation carriers).  To represent you properly, your attorney must be familiar with all of the following general and specialized areas of the law, and have a deep understanding of their complex interrelationships:

• Construction Law, including federal statutes governing construction project safety as well as local occupational safety laws
• Contracts Law, including issues of indemnity and insurance procurement
• Insurance Law, particularly insurance policies and claims
• Workers’ Compensation, for claims against employers such as lost wages, medical coverage, rehabilitation, and other assistance
• Personal Injury Law, for claims against any parties that are not the employer
• Products Liability, as regards defective tools or equipment
• Premises Liability, for claims against property owners and possessors who were negligent in their duty to protect workers and passersby
• Criminal Law, for accidents which involve criminal liability

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed at or near a construction site, your claim may relate to any or a combination of the above. We have extensive experience in construction accidents and can help you get the compensation you need and deserve.