Most people know that construction work is among the most dangerous occupations in the United States. People suffer serious and catastrophic injuries every day as a result of faulty equipment and construction accidents. Construction site falls are by far the most common cause of these injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and spinal cord injuries.
Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requires that employers, property owners, and/or construction site managers install, maintain, and require fall protection to protect job site workers. OSHA fall protection is generally required at any level at six (6) feet above the ground. Workers shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems. Finally, employers shall determine whether the structural surfaces have the requisite strength, structural integrity to safely support workers, and that workers do not fall through holes or skylights. See, in general, 29 CFR 1926.501.
Sometimes employers, property owners, and construction site managers contend that fall protection was not feasible or would otherwise not have prevented injury. However, OSHA presumes that fall protection is feasible and will not create a greater hazard to implement at LEAST one type of fall protection system. It is the employer’s burden to establish it is appropriate to implement a fall protection plan that complies with 1926.502(k) for a particular workplace situation, in lieu of implementing any of general fall protection systems.
Many times in construction site cases, there may be multiple parties that are responsible for injuries. These may include the property site owner, construction site manager, safety supervisors, and other contractors or sub-contractors. That is why it is important to discuss your potential claim with a lawyer versed in the nuance of construction accidents.
Our Indiana construction accident lawyers at Doehrman Buba Ring have more than 50 combined years of experience handling workplace accidents litigation. In that time, the vast majority of our construction accident cases involved workers falling at construction sites. These falls can occur in the context of:
- Faulty ladders and scaffolds
- Roof and ceiling collapses
- Ironworkers falling from beams
- Lack of OSHA fall protection
We will use our experience and skill to help you get the best financial compensation award possible for your injuries. Whether you have been hurt or a family member has been killed on a construction accident, we will treat your case with the utmost care. We believe that all of our clients deserve the highest degree of respect and care when we are handling their cases. You can also view our TBI Resource Guide for advice on dealing with a brain injury.
Third Party Liability Claims for Construction Accidents
If you have been injured on the job, you are entitled to workers’ compensation, regardless of who was at fault for causing the accident. Many people do not realize, though, that if someone other than you or your employer was also at fault for the accident, we could bring a third party claim against that party and obtain a much higher compensation award for your injuries. It is also important to keep in mind that for every dollar a workers’ comp carrier spends on an injured worker’s medical bills and wage loss claim, the carrier is entitled to reimbursement of the amount paid in the event the injured worker is successful in his or her third party recovery.
After Construction Site Falls, Call Our Indiana Construction Accident Lawyer
If you or someone close to you has been injured in a construction site fall, including a scaffold accident or ladder accident, contact us for a free consultation.