What is construction liability?

Construction liability is the area of personal injury law that deals with construction site accidents. Construction accidents may involve both construction workers as well as visitors to construction sites. When a person is injured or killed at a construction site, the owners, general contractor or various subcontractors may be liable for damages.

The heavy machinery, power tools and incomplete structures at construction sites make them dangerous places where serious injuries resulting from any of the following types of accidents can occur:

• Collapsing scaffolds
• Falls
• Roof accidents
• Elevator shaft accidents
• Electrocution
• Ladder injuries
• Accidents involving defective machinery (cranes, conveyors, tractors, forklifts, hoists)
• Bridge collapses
• Building collapses
• Crane accidents
• Negligent trenching
• Scaffolding accidents
• Explosions
• Falling construction debris

What does the law say about construction injuries and deaths?

Employees working at construction sites and visitors to these areas have a right to a safe and hazard-free environment.

For many types of workers, an employer’s workers’ compensation insurance can pay for items such as medical bills and wage loss when an employee is injured, if the injured employee follows the proper guidelines for reporting the accident.

Both injured construction workers and people who are injured while visiting a construction site may be able to file a construction liability lawsuit. Damages in a workplace injury suit can help compensate a victim for his or her pain, suffering, emotional distress, disability and disfigurement in addition to the medical costs and wage loss.

Some construction site accident victims do not realize they must file a claim within a certain time period after the accident. For this reason, it is advisable to contact an experienced construction accident lawyer as soon as possible after a construction injury.

The Law Offices of Jeffrey J. Kroll has handled many construction and occupational injury cases and recovered million-dollar settlements and verdicts for victims and their families.

If you would like more information about how to proceed with a construction injury lawsuit, please fill out the consultation form or call us at (312) 676-7222. We will be able to consider your particular situation and help you decide whether to file a personal injury and/or wrongful death claim.