Wayne County Construction Accident Attorney

The construction industry is a major part of the United States economy. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, the U.S. construction industry employs over 7 million workers and creates nearly $1.4 trillion in structures each year. However, these jobs can be hazardous: in 2019, over 5,300 construction workers died on the job, and tens of thousands more were seriously injured. 

If you have been hurt in a construction accident, you may be entitled to recoup your accident-related expenses. You may also be able to recover compensation for the impact your injuries have had on your life. At Sommers Schwartz, our Wayne County construction accident lawyers have over 45 years of experience successfully handling claims for all types of construction workers. Our experience provides us with knowledge of the legal principles involved in these cases and the construction industry as a whole.

Types of Wayne County Construction Accidents

All construction jobs pose certain risks since construction sites are inherently dangerous. Regardless of their role in a construction project, individuals work alongside heavy equipment, power tools, and potentially unskilled workers. The most common types of construction accidents include:

• Falls.
• Crane accidents.
• Electrical accidents.
• Trench collapses.
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• Welding accidents.
• Heavy equipment injuries.

Contractors, subcontractors, property owners, and laborers can minimize the frequency and severity of construction accidents by taking reasonable, necessary precautions. Unfortunately, many precautions are skipped, overlooked, or omitted to save money or time. These shortcuts lead to accidents and injuries. If someone’s negligence or deliberate misconduct resulted in an accident, you might be able to recover damages.

Most Common OSHA Citations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the federal agency that oversees workplace safety by implementing harm-reduction requirements and setting safety standards. OSHA also investigates many accidents and keeps track of the most common causes of workplace injuries. Many of the most common employer violations were either directly or indirectly related to the construction industry, including:

• Failure to provide adequate fall protection.
• Failure to provide necessary respiratory protection.
• Use of unsafe scaffolding.
• Use of unsafe ladders.
• Failure to properly train employees on the risks of workplace falls.
• Failure to provide necessary eye protection to workers.

Construction contractors, independent contractors, and large construction firms all have a duty to their workers to provide a reasonably safe working environment. Failure to do so can cause liability for on-the-job injuries.

However, successfully recovering compensation from an employer can be difficult. State workers’ compensation laws are complex, and the requirements to pursue a claim can be burdensome and confusing. Anyone injured in a construction accident should immediately reach out to a respected Wayne County construction accident law firm to discuss their case.

Who Is Liable for a Construction Accident?

Workplace accidents, including those involving construction workers, differ somewhat from other personal injury cases. Injured workers may have both workers’ compensation and personal injury claims against different parties.

Workers’ compensation is an insurance-based system. State law requires most employers to purchase workers’ compensation insurance. When a construction worker is hurt on the job, they can file a claim with their employer’s insurance carrier. The insurance carrier will investigate the claim; if approved, the insurer will pay benefits under the policy. The compensation available only includes medical expenses and wage-replacement benefits. Workers who sustain injuries on the job cannot recover non-economic damages from a workers’ comp claim.

Under Michigan law, a workers’ compensation claim is typically an injured worker’s sole remedy against their employer. While a construction worker could bring a Wayne County personal injury claim against an employer if the employer intentionally caused their injuries, this is a rare occurrence.

However, injured workers can bring a construction accident claim against any other negligent party without restriction. This consideration is essential in many construction-related injury cases because many jobsite injuries are not caused by the injured worker’s employer. A worker may be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the party whose actions or omissions caused their injury in addition to their worker’s comp claim against their employer.

For example, an injured worker may be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against any of the following parties:

• General contractors.
• Other subcontractors.
• Property owners.
• Manufacturers of tools or equipment.
• Motorists.
• Workers employed by another employer.

Because of the realities of the construction industry, third-party personal injury claims are very common. Unlike a workers’ compensation claim, you must prove the at-fault party was negligent to recover monetary damages. However, if you succeed, you may be able to recover a broader range of damages than those available for a workers’ comp claim.

Damages in a Wayne County Construction Accident

If you successfully prove a Wayne County construction accident lawsuit, you can recover for both the economic and non-economic damages you suffered. This includes:

• Medical expenses.
• Future medical costs related to your injury.
• Lost wages.
• Decrease of earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering.
• Emotional distress.
• Loss of quality of life.

Non-economic damages like pain and suffering are often significant in a serious construction accident case. An experienced attorney can help you identify the full extent of your damages and determine the best course of action.

Contact a Wayne County Construction Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, the Wayne County construction accident lawyers at Sommers Schwartz are here to help. The construction industry is complex; these lawsuits frequently involve many parties and numerous insurance companies. Our attorneys have the skill, resources, and dedication necessary to effectively pursue claims against the largest and most powerful insurance companies.

Since our founding, we have recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for our clients. We look forward to seeing how we can help you with your case. To learn more and schedule a free consultation, call Sommers Schwartz today at 800-783-0989. You can also reach us through our online contact form; send us a message, and one of our Wayne County personal injury lawyers will promptly reach out to you.