Construction Site Accidents Case Results

Construction Accident Settlements and Case Results

In the US, around 7.5 million people work in the construction industry (2022 statistics). Construction jobs, which include building anything from houses to highways and utility systems, are among the most dangerous in America. Work-related fatalities are higher in the construction sector than in any other industry except for logging.

People who are not employed in the construction industry rarely visit construction sites.  One major exception to this rule is road construction work sites, where risks affect construction workers and those driving through them.

Safe Workplaces and Safe Roads

Some construction-related accidents are unavoidable. However, proper safety training and procedures, including the use of appropriate safety equipment, can prevent many of them.  According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), federal law stipulates that an employee has a right to a safe workplace.

If an employer fails to maintain a safe workplace or a road construction company allows hazardous conditions for motorists, they may be liable for negligence. The experienced construction site accident lawyers at Wilson Kehoe Winingham have handled a multitude of construction accident lawsuits, both for workers injured or killed on the job and for motorists involved in car accidents on road construction sites. The case studies on this page give examples of construction accident cases that our attorneys have resolved for injured clients.

Types of Construction-Related Accidents

Because construction work often involves using heavy equipment and working high above the ground on scaffolding and ladders, there are many ways in which accidents can occur. When motorists pass through road construction zones, they often encounter unfinished road conditions, like uneven or rough pavements, narrow lanes, and roadways with no shoulder.

Common Work-Related Injuries in the Construction Industry

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that four factors cause nearly two-thirds of all work-related fatalities in the construction industry: falling to a lower level, being struck by falling debris, electrocution, and being caught in machinery or caught between items on a construction site.

The most common construction accident indicated in the report is falling, whether it’s a slip and fall, a fall from a roof, or a fall from a scaffold or ladder. Our infographic on construction accidents provides more information.

Common Causes of Road Construction-Zone Accidents

NIOSH reports that an average of nearly 800 people are killed each year in crashes in work zones in the US. These accidents are caused by factors such as improper or inadequate warning signage and rough or unfinished road conditions.

The causes of the accidents in the construction lawsuit cases can include many factors, such as an unmarked lanes, unlighted guardraisl, and uneven pavement.

Construction-Related Accident Claims

Claims for construction workplace injuries and car accidents on road construction sites involve multiple parties and require detailed investigation and preparation.

What Should I Do After a Work-Related Injury on a Construction Site?

It’s important to know what to do after a construction accident. Here are the basics:

• Call 911 and get medical attention.
• Report the accident to your employer and OSHA.
• Get information from any eyewitnesses to the accident.
• Collect and preserve evidence related to the accident.
• Contact a construction accident lawyer to help guide you through the claims process.

If you’re injured on the job at a construction site, you may have multiple compensation claims.

First, you may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation insurance protects you against job-related injuries regardless of who’s at fault; it can include payments for medical expenses and lost wages.

Second, if any party related to your work site did not fulfill their responsibility to maintain a safe workplace, you may be able to file a construction negligence case. Damages in negligence lawsuit settlements can include medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering.

Your lawyer will investigate the incident to determine what parties should be held liable for your accident. There are many potential responsible parties on a construction site, including the site owner, your employer, contractors and subcontractors, architects and engineers, and manufacturers, servicers, or construction equipment suppliers.

What Should I Do after a Construction-Zone Car Accident?

The steps you should take after you’re involved in a car accident in a construction zone do not differ from the steps you should take after any car accident. These steps include:

• Call 911 and get medical attention for anyone who is injured.
• Exchange contact and insurance information with any other drivers involved.
• Get the contact information for any eyewitnesses to the accident.
• Get a police report.
• Document the accident scene by taking photos and notes.
• Document your injuries and medical treatment.
• Contact a car accident lawyer for help with your insurance claim.

For construction-zone accidents, there are additional considerations beyond these basics. Consult a car accident lawyer to determine if the construction company or government agency overseeing the construction was negligent.

Contact a Construction Accident Attorney Today

If you were injured at your construction-industry job or in a construction-zone vehicle accident,  your medical bills, pain and disability, and the financial strain from lost wages can be overwhelming. The Indianapolis construction accident lawyers at WKW can help you get a fair worker’s compensation settlement and/or pursue a construction accident settlement for any negligence on the part of your employer or those responsible for the construction site. Call 317.920.6400 or fill out an online contact form for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.