Workers within the construction industry place a significant amount of trust in the equipment they use. Workers trust the construction equipment to work effectively and safely as promised to them by the manufacturers. If the equipment does not work as intended, the worker can be placed in a dangerous and life-threatening situation.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry was responsible for nearly 2,000 fatal injuries in 2019. If you have been injured while using unsafe construction equipment, you have the right to seek monetary damages from those who are responsible.
The responsible parties can include the manufacturer of the equipment, the company that maintained it, the company that sold it, and the employer who failed to address any previous complaints or concerns regarding the equipment.
Since there can be multiple parties responsible for construction site injuries, you are advised to have a Minnesota construction injury lawyer on your side who is experienced and knows how the responsible parties will attempt to defend themselves.
Causes of Construction Site Accident Injuries
There are numerous ways to be injured on a construction site through no fault of your own. Roof accidents, faulty scaffolding, malfunctioning cranes, structure collapse, and faulty equipment are all common causes of construction site accidents. Perhaps there was a broken piece in one of the equipment or one of the machines was not operating at the proper speed.
There are numerous defects that can take place because there are many known and unknown moving parts. Additional types of accidents include:
- Electric shock
- Falling from a scaffold
- Chemical burns
- Crane accidents
- Being hit by a vehicle on the construction site
- Falling materials
- Lack of protective gear or faulty protective gear
- Backhoe malfunction
Of course, there are many more causes of construction site accident injuries, and they can all pose a serious danger for workers. Workers can suffer irreversible brain and other life-changing injuries.
Types of Construction Site Accident Claims
We have represented people injured in a variety of work accidents, including defective machines, defective products, dropped objects, vehicle collisions, and many others. Since construction site work is physically demanding, if you are injured on the job, you will likely be restricted to a light-duty job if one is available, or you may be restricted from working completely.
If you were injured on a construction site, Minnesota has workers’ compensation laws that can protect you. If you were injured on a construction worksite, you are entitled to workers’ compensation insurance, and this can at least cover some of your medical bills and lost wages. However, workers’ compensation insurance will not cover all your expenses, and this is why it is advised to consult with an experienced construction site injury lawyer to determine if you are eligible to file a claim against all responsible parties.
When you are injured on a construction site and successfully file a workers’ compensation claim, you will be limited to certain claims against the employer, supplier, another employee, etc. You may also have a claim against the equipment supplier, contractor, or subcontractor.
Pursuing Construction Site Injury Cases
Sometimes it is not evident that someone else’s negligence resulted in your injury at the construction site, and it may make it difficult to determine if you are eligible to file a claim against someone else. This is another reason why it is important to partner with an experienced construction site injury lawyer. An experienced team will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your injury to determine who was responsible and whether you can pursue additional compensation.
Resolving a claim from a construction accident injury is not an easy process, neither is it a not a one-size-fits-all process. It is your right to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more.
To fully protect your rights and to obtain the benefits and compensation you are entitled to, contact Swor & Gatto today at 651-454-3600 for a free case evaluation.