Construction Accident

The term “construction accident” comprises any accident involving a construction worker or bystander that occurs on a construction site. If you or a loved one were involved in a construction accident you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover any damages, medical expenses or pain and suffering that occurred as a results of the accident.

Types of Construction Accidents

There are three main types of construction accidents that can occur on a construction site:

• Falls – from scaffolding, into ditches, etc.
• Electrical accidents
• Equipment accidents – the two most common types of equipment accidents are: bystanders or workers being struck by heavy equipment (such as extensions on cranes) and workers’ fingers or hair being caught in equipment such as power tools.

What are the Causes?

Construction accidents can occur due to a variety of factors:

• Unsafe ladders – ladders that are too short or that are not opened all the way can contribute to construction accidents
• Holes in flooring – contribute to falls
• Improperly assembled scaffolding – contributes to falls
• Construction debris – such as tools and materials being left in workflow areas

Contact an Accident Lawyer

If the victim of a construction accident is a bystander, he or she can file a personal injury lawsuit. If the victim is a construction worker, he or she will usually have to file a workers’ compensation claim. The exception to this is when there are multiple contractors on a construction site and a worker is injured due to negligence on the part of another contractor. In this instance, the injured worker may be able file a personal injury lawsuit against the contractor. If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, you should contact a construction accident attorney to learn more about your legal rights.