Construction Work Accident Lawyer in Greensboro NC
Were you injured in a workplace accident on a construction site in Greensboro? If so, you could be dealing with painful injuries, extensive and costly medical treatment, lost wages from time off of work, pain, emotional trauma, and more.
Fortunately, you don’t have to deal with the aftermath of a construction site workplace accident alone. Experienced legal assistance is just a phone call away.
When a Greensboro construction site accident leaves you hurt and unable to work, the construction accident attorneys at Ward Black Law can help. Our relentless advocates are prepared to take swift action to demand fair compensation and the financial recovery you deserve.
Contact us today to learn more about your legal options in a free initial consultation.
Types of Construction Site Accidents
Some of the most common types of accidents that severely injure workers on Greensboro construction sites include:
- Height-related accidents – Falling from ladders, scaffolds, or other heights is a common and dangerous occurrence on construction sites. Dropped tools or other objects that fall from heights can also strike workers and result in serious injuries.
- Slip and falls or trip and falls – When construction sites are covered in debris, clutter, defective floors, or unattended spills, workers can easily sustain serious trauma due to slipping or tripping, and falling.
- Fires and explosion accidents – Improper procedures during demolition, electrical work, or other dangerous construction jobs can result in fires and explosions, leaving workers with burns and inhalation injuries.
- Machinery accidents – Power tools, cranes, forklifts, and other heavy or dangerous machinery can result in severe injuries if misused. A defective piece of equipment can result in accidents regardless of how carefully workers use it.
- Transportation accidents – Transportation accidents are common on construction sites on or near public highways. Some transportation accidents also occur when negligent workers drive forklifts or other construction vehicles.
Causes of Construction Site Accidents
Accidents and injuries can happen in any workplace, but accidents and severe injuries are prevalent on construction sites. Many construction site accidents spring from similar root causes, including:
- Lack of proper maintenance – If employers or workers fail to maintain machinery or tools properly, wear and tear can contribute to dangerous defects that result in severe injuries.
- Lack of supervision or training – When inexperienced workers are expected to perform difficult or dangerous jobs without adequate training or assistance, devastating job site accidents can occur.
- Safety code violations – Construction crews are used to working in dangerous environments, which can numb workers to the risks of the job and lead to reckless disregard of important safety codes. Safety code violations can result in accidents such as explosions, trench collapses, and falls from scaffolds.
- Lack of safety equipment – When construction workers do not receive personal protective equipment (PPE) or other necessary safety equipment, they can suffer from dangerous exposure to extreme heat, excessive noise, unguarded tools, toxic substances, and other hazards.
- Cluttered or dirty workspaces – Improper disposal of certain materials and failure to keep a tidy workspace can present slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall hazards that can leave workers seriously or even fatally injured.
The Link Between OSHA Violations and Construction Sites
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for ensuring safe and healthful working conditions for workers throughout the United States. OSHA prescribes and enforces several workplace safety standards, which guarantee workers several important rights, including the right to:
- Receive safety and health training that is relevant to your job duties and provided in a language you understand
- Use work equipment that is safe to operate
- Receive certain pieces of safety equipment for certain jobs, such as gloves, hardhats, or harnesses
- Receive protection against toxic chemicals
- Request an inspection by OSHA and speak to the OSHA inspector
- Request access to records of work-related injuries or illnesses
- View the results of inspections or tests looking for workplace hazards
When employers in the construction industry violate OSHA regulations, workers are particularly likely to be involved in accidents that result in life-changing injuries. And because construction workers are often expected to perform strenuous physical labor, even a relatively minor bodily injury can seriously impact their earning capacity.
Potential Compensation for Construction Site Accidents
If you have incurred substantial medical expenses or wage losses due to a construction site accident in North Carolina, you are most likely entitled to some form of compensation.
Most construction workers in the state are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits through their employers. Eligible employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses are entitled to benefits that cover medical costs and a portion of lost wages. These “no-fault” benefits are available whether you are injured due to the fault of another party, your own negligence, or an “act of God.”
If your employer provides workers’ comp insurance on your behalf, you are typically prohibited from filing a lawsuit against your employer, even if they were at fault for your injuries. However, you may have grounds for a lawsuit if you were harmed due to your employer’s intentional malice or reckless negligence. You could also file a personal injury lawsuit against any third party responsible for your injuries, such as a motorist who collided with you in a work zone.
When you file a third-party injury lawsuit, you can seek compensation beyond what is ordinarily available in a workers’ comp claim. The compensation could include the full value of your lost wages, losses in your future earning potential, and the intangible cost of your pain and suffering.
How a Construction Injury Attorney Can Help
A Greensboro construction injury lawyer can provide the support you need in seeking justice and compensation. The dedicated attorneys at Ward Black Law can help you by:
- Addressing your concerns and explaining your options in a free consultation
- Investigating the circumstances surrounding the construction site accident to identify valuable evidence and determine who may be liable
- Communicating with third parties such as employers, insurance adjusters, and other attorneys on your behalf
- Interviewing eyewitnesses and experts for reliable testimony on your behalf
- Negotiating aggressively during settlement talks to maximize your compensation
- Taking your case to trial and representing you in court, if necessary
Contact a Greensboro Construction Work Accident Lawyer Today
At Ward Black Law, our construction site accident attorneys are focused on helping you pursue the compensation you need to get your life back on track. Contact us now to discuss the details of your situation in a free initial case review.