Construction Accident Lawyer

Construction accidents can devastate workers and their families, leading to severe injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and lost wages. At Munley Law, our construction accident lawyers have spent the last 65 years fighting for injured workers, securing multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements while helping our clients navigate workers’ compensation claims and third-party lawsuits.

Construction accidents often involve multiple responsible parties—contractors, subcontractors, equipment manufacturers, and property owners, to name a few. Our experienced construction accident attorneys know how to prove who is at fault for your injuries so you can receive full compensation for your accident.

Don’t let a construction accident derail your future – contact Munley Law today for a free case evaluation.

Common Construction Accident Claims Munley Law Handles

Construction sites present countless hazards that can lead to severe injuries to workers and visitors alike. Our construction accident attorneys’ experience handling injury cases has given us deep insight into the complex factors behind these accidents and the best ways to secure compensation for injured workers. Our team has helped  workers who suffered injuries in the following common accidents:

Falls

Construction workers face serious risks when working on scaffolding, ladders, roofs, and other elevated areas. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls are the leading cause of death and serious injury in construction. In 2020, there were 351 fatal falls out of 1,008 construction fatalities. Workers who are six feet or more above lower levels are at risk for serious injuries or death if they should fall from that height.

Many of these falls occur because of unstable walking surfaces, poor maintenance on scaffolding, or improperly sized ladder bases. Missing guardrails, inadequate toe boards, and damaged safety harnesses turn preventable accidents into serious injuries.

Our construction accident lawyer will investigate these accidents in detail, documenting safety violations and equipment failures contributing to your fall.

Struck by Objects

Flying debris, falling tools, and swinging materials threaten workers at all construction site levels. Overhead crane operations pose risks when loads aren’t properly secured, or wind conditions change suddenly. Power tools without proper guards send fragments flying at high speeds. Even small objects falling from height gain enough force to cause severe head trauma or penetrating injuries.

Munley Law has investigated many cases where basic safety practices, like securing tools to workers at height or installing proper debris netting, were ignored. Tool tethering and catch platforms can prevent these accidents, but many sites skip these precautions to save time or money.

Caught Between Objects

These accidents often happen during trenching operations, material delivery, or heavy equipment use. Workers get crushed between moving equipment and fixed structures or caught in machinery without proper guarding. Trench walls collapse when proper shoring isn’t installed or soil conditions aren’t monitored. Loading dock accidents trap workers between vehicles and buildings.

Many of these incidents involve multiple points of failure – inadequate training, missing machine guards, broken backup alarms, and poor communication between work crews. The injuries are often catastrophic: crushed limbs, internal organ damage, and traumatic amputations.

Electrocutions

Construction sites combine water, electricity, and metal tools – creating constant shock hazards. Contact with live wires happens during demolition when electrical systems aren’t properly mapped or locked out. Damaged extension cords and power tools expose workers to lethal current. Overhead power lines pose risks during crane operations or work on elevated platforms.

We find that many electrical accidents trace back to inadequate lockout/tagout procedures or rushed work that skips proper power verification. Arc flash events cause severe burns even without direct contact. Ground fault protection devices save lives when properly maintained – but many sites neglect regular testing.

Defective Equipment

Heavy machinery requires skilled operators and constant maintenance. Crane accidents happen when outriggers sink in unstable soil or operators misjudge load weights. Forklift rollovers occur during sharp turns or on uneven ground. Excavator swing radius accidents strike workers in blind spots. Power tools kick back or bind, causing severe hand and arm injuries.

Investigation often reveals multiple contributing factors: inadequate operator training, skipped maintenance, disabled safety features, and poor job site coordination. When equipment rental companies skip inspections or contractors put untrained workers on complex machinery, accidents follow.

Trench Collapses

One cubic yard of soil weighs as much as a car. When trench walls collapse, workers have seconds to escape tons of crushing weight. Proper trench boxes and shoring systems prevent these accidents – but installing them takes time and money that some contractors try to save. Changes in soil conditions, vibration from nearby equipment, and rain can destabilize even properly shored trenches.

These accidents have some of the highest fatality rates in construction. Workers who survive often suffer crushing injuries to their chest and legs, leading to long-term disability. Many sites lack proper rescue equipment, meaning trapped workers face delayed extraction and increased injury risk.

Chemical Exposure

Construction workers encounter hazardous substances throughout their workday. Silica dust from concrete cutting penetrates deep into the lungs. Old buildings harbor asbestos in insulation and flooring. Welding fumes contain toxic metals. Solvents and adhesives release harmful vapors in enclosed spaces.

The effects range from immediate chemical burns to long-term respiratory diseases and cancer. Proper ventilation, respiratory protection, and hazard communication prevent many exposures. But we repeatedly see cases where workers weren’t warned about toxic materials or given proper protective equipment.

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Workers’ Compensation for Construction Accidents

If a construction worker is injured while on the job at a construction site, they can apply for workers’ compensation benefits. Workers comp benefits are meant to pay for your losses if you are hurt while on the job. Common types of workers’ compensation benefits you may be eligible for include:

Medical Benefits: Workers’ comp covers all reasonable medical treatment for your injury. For the first 90 days, you must choose from your employer’s list of approved doctors. After that, you can select any healthcare provider. The insurance company pays your medical bills directly – you won’t face out-of-pocket costs. Travel expenses for medical appointments are also covered.

Wage Loss: Workers’ compensation replaces a portion of your lost wages if you can’t work due to your injury. Benefits equal about two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to state maximums. The amount depends on your pre-injury earnings and your disability status. Partial disability benefits help when you can work but earn less than before. Total disability benefits apply when you cannot work at all.

Death Benefits: If a construction worker dies as a result of a job injury or illness, the worker’s family is entitled to receive death benefits. Even if the injury or illness did not cause immediate death, death benefits may apply if the worker passed away within 300 weeks of sustaining the workplace injury or toxic exposure. Workers’ comp death benefits are paid to surviving family members who depend on the deceased person for financial support.

Depending on the state the accident occurred, construction workers may also be eligible for other workman’s comp benefits such as payments for disfigurement or loss of limb, or disability payments.

Many construction workers face unexpected challenges with their claims. Insurance companies often dispute the extent of injuries or argue they’re not work-related. They may pressure you to return to work too soon or deny necessary medical treatment. Some claims are wrongly denied entirely. If you’re experiencing delays, denials, or benefit cuts, our workers compensation attorney can help protect your rights.

Third-Party Claims in a Construction Accident

Workers’ compensation isn’t always your only path to recovery after construction site accidents. Many injured workers have valid claims against other parties beyond their employer. These third-party claims often result in substantially higher compensation than workers’ comp alone.

Some third parties that could be held liable for your accident include:

Equipment Manufacturers: When defective tools, machinery, or safety equipment cause injuries, manufacturers bear responsibility. We’ve successfully pursued claims involving failed fall protection systems, malfunctioning power tools, and heavy equipment with design flaws. These cases require extensive investigation and expert analysis to prove the defect caused your injury.

Property Owners: Property owners must maintain safe conditions for construction workers. This includes securing the site, warning about known hazards, and addressing dangerous conditions. When owners cut corners on safety to save money or time, they put workers at risk.

Subcontractors: Modern construction sites involve multiple companies working side by side. When another contractor’s negligence causes your injury, you can seek their compensation directly.

General Contractors: General contractors control overall site safety and coordination. They endanger everyone on site when they fail to enforce safety rules, properly schedule work, or address known hazards.

These additional claims matter because workers’ compensation benefits are limited. Third-party claims can cover full lost wages, pain and suffering, future medical needs, and long-term disability – damages not available through workers’ comp. We carefully evaluate every case for all potential claims to maximize your recovery.

What If I Wasn’t Working at the Time of the Accident?

Construction site accidents don’t just happen to workers. There are times when someone is visiting a construction site and is injured. If this happens to you, you may be able to file a premises liability lawsuit against the construction site owner or the owner of the property. Contact an experienced premises liability attorney at Munley Law to learn about filing a personal injury lawsuit.

There is no fee unless we win your case.

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The Legal Process for Construction Accident Lawsuits

Your first step is to schedule a free consultation with an attorney at Munley Law.  To prepare for your meeting, make sure you have anything you may have about the accident. This includes medical records, incident reports, photographs, video footage, and any communication you may have had with the insurance company.

Our experienced construction accident lawyers will review medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and answer any questions you may have at this time. We will outline potential paths to compensation.

Once hired, our legal team gets to work immediately. We will discuss your case with safety experts, who will examine equipment failures and code violations. We interview witnesses while their memories are fresh. Medical specialists assess your injuries and future treatment needs. This thorough investigation builds the foundation of your case.

We handle all paperwork for workers’ compensation claims and any third-party lawsuits. Each claim type has specific deadlines and filing requirements. We ensure everything is filed properly and on time. If the insurance company requests information or documentation, we manage those responses to protect your interests.

Many cases are settled through negotiation, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. This thorough preparation often leads to better settlement offers. If an insurance company refuses fair compensation, we have the experience and resources to take your case to court.

If you were injured after a construction site accident, don’t wait any longer. Contact the construction accident lawyers at Munley Law today to schedule a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Construction Accidents

What Should I Do After a Construction Accident?

If you are a construction worker, report the accident to your supervisor immediately, even if the injury seems minor. Seek medical attention – tell the doctor it’s a work injury. If possible, take photos of the accident scene and hazards that caused your injury. Get names and contact information from witnesses. Don’t sign any papers from insurance companies or give recorded statements without talking to an attorney first.

How Much Is My Construction Accident Case Worth?

Each case’s value depends on factors like injury severity, long-term impact, lost wages, and medical costs. Workers’ compensation typically pays about two-thirds of lost wages plus medical care. Third-party claims can provide additional compensation for pain and suffering, future losses, and disability. We examine every aspect of your case to determine its fair value.

What If I Can’t Return to Work Following a Construction Site Accident?

If you can’t return to your job, workers’ comp provides vocational rehabilitation benefits to help you train for new work. Long-term disability benefits continue if you must take a lower-paying job. We also consider future lost earnings when pursuing third-party claims to ensure you have financial security.

Can I Sue My Employer for Being Injured While on the Job?

You have the right to appeal denied claims. We handle the entire appeal process, gathering medical evidence and expert testimony to support your case. Most denied claims are resolved through negotiation, but we’re prepared to present your case to a judge if necessary.

Contact a Construction Accident Lawyer at Munley Law

For 65 years, the injury lawyers at Munley Law have been helping injured victims with their claims. We understand how difficult the process can be, and we know what is needed to prove your claim. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win your case.