Detroit Construction Accident Lawyers

Knowledgeable Personal Injury Attorneys Skillfully Pursue Compensation on Behalf of Injured Workers Across Detroit Metro Area

Detroit is experiencing a building boom for new residential developments and notable redevelopments. The Dearborn Fairlane Town Center is undergoing construction to provide new commercial spaces, medical buildings, and housing. Plans are underway for John Grace Elementary School, Northland Center Mall, and Hawthorn Suites Hotel to be converted into additional housing spaces. As the city continues to create new housing and commercial projects, workers will be expected to complete various tasks under tight deadlines in sometimes dangerous working conditions. 

Although construction sites are subject to extensive regulations, serious work injury accidents, and wrongful deaths occur frequently. Injuries can happen due to a general contractor’s failure to follow proper safety codes, dangerous or defective equipment, and the negligence of a property owner or another subcontractor.

If you’ve been injured in a construction accident or your family member suffered a wrongful death, the experienced construction accident lawyers at Sommers Schwartz, P.C. can help.

Common Construction Site Accident Injuries

Construction is an inherently dangerous industry. An estimated 200,000 construction workers suffer serious injuries each year in the United States. In 2019, construction workers made up more than 20 percent of the 5,300 workers killed in accidents – more than in any other industry. 

Construction sites pose many inherent risks, even when every safety measure is followed and everything goes according to plan. When builders take shortcuts, use inferior products, and disregard safety measures, the risk of injury skyrockets. Some of the most common construction site injuries are as follows:

Falls

Falls are a leading cause of injury in all workplaces, but the risks construction workers face are magnified. There are many opportunities at a job site to slip or trip on a hazard, such as stray electrical cords, tools, and slick or uneven surfaces. Additionally, construction workers can suffer serious, multi-story falls. Construction companies must provide and require adequate safety measures for anyone working more than six feet above the level below. 

Crane Accidents

Cranes are one of the most common pieces of heavy equipment on a construction site. They are also responsible for a significant number of fatal and nonfatal injuries. Crane operators are most often injured when the crane boom contacts an overhead electrical wire. Other accidents can occur when workers are crushed by falling objects or the crane as it tips over. 

Electrical Accidents

Construction workers rely on various power tools that present manageable risks when properly operated. If the electrical cords that deliver power to these tools become compromised, workers face the risk of electrocution when they use the tools. Cords running through doorways or windows can be partially severed, creating a fire hazard. 

Dangerous and Defective Products

Construction workers work with potentially dangerous equipment every day. Occasionally, a piece of equipment has a manufacturing or design defect that renders the product extremely dangerous. Injured workers may have a product liability claim against the equipment manufacturer in these cases.

Other common construction accidents include:

• Exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• Welding accidents.
• Trench collapses. 

Whatever caused your injuries, Sommers Schwartz, P.C. can help you understand your rights and pursue a claim against those responsible.

Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Construction Site Injuries?

In some construction site accidents, workers’ compensation may provide injured workers with limited compensation. However, workers’ compensation often fails to provide sufficient compensation to cover a worker’s damages completely. It compensates injured workers for their medical expenses and a portion of their lost wages. It does not compensate them for non-economic damages, such as pain, suffering, and emotional distress. 

Shared Responsibility for Construction Accidents

It may be possible to bring claims against many different parties in a construction accident lawsuit. These may include:

• General contractors.
• Other subcontractors.
• Property owners.
• Manufacturers of tools or equipment.
• Negligent truck drivers or motorists.
• Workers of another employer.

Generally, workers cannot bring a lawsuit against their employer for a workplace injury; their only option is to file a workers’ compensation claim to recover from their employer’s insurer. In the construction industry, however, on-the-job accidents often result from a nonemployer’s negligence. A construction site accident lawsuit allows injured workers to recover the full extent of their damages from negligent third parties.

Damages in a Construction Accident Lawsuit

Workers injured in a construction site accident may be able to recover both economic and non-economic damages in a construction accident lawsuit.

Economic damages compensate injured workers for their out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident. Common types of economic damages include:

• Past and future medical expenses.
• Lost wages.
• Decrease in earning capacity.
• Modifications to your home to accommodate any disability.
• Property damage (such as broken tools or equipment).
• Funeral expenses.

Non-economic damages compensate workers for the emotional and psychological effects of an accident. Because accidents impact workers’ lives differently, non-economic damage awards vary widely between cases. These may include compensation for:

• Pain and suffering.
• Mental anguish.
• Loss of enjoyment of life.
• Disability or disfigurement.

Michigan courts also award exemplary damages in some construction accident cases. Exemplary damages provide accident victims additional compensation above and beyond economic and non-economic damages. Unlike punitive damages, exemplary damages are not meant to punish the defendant. Instead, they are intended to compensate accident victims further if a defendant’s conduct was egregious. Exemplary damages are rare; they are only available in cases where the at-fault party’s conduct was willful or malicious. 

Do You Need a Lawyer To Bring a Construction Accident Lawsuit?

While having a lawyer represent you in a construction site accident lawsuit isn’t required by law, most accident victims benefit from the assistance of an experienced construction site accident attorney. Investigating a work-related accident, filing a claim, negotiating with the insurance company, and potentially prosecuting the case before a jury is a lot to expect from someone recovering from serious injuries. Historical data shows that injured workers who work with a personal injury lawyer obtain far greater damages awards than those who proceed without an attorney. 

At Sommers Schwartz, P.C., we understand the thought of filing a lawsuit in the wake of an injury can be overwhelming. We work hard to make the recovery process as straightforward and easy on you as possible. From the moment you reach out to us, we will take over all the heavy lifting so you can focus on your recovery. We also make ourselves available 24/7 and promise to keep you apprised of all developments in your case. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Detroit Construction Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been hurt in a construction accident, the road to recovery can be long and challenging. But it’s not a journey you need to take alone. At Sommers Schwartz, P.C., we provide exceptional representation to injured workers, helping them obtain fair compensation for what they’ve been through. Our attorneys are nationally known and recognized as some of the best construction accident lawyers in the country, and we look forward to seeing what we can do to help you and your family. 

When your well-being and your family’s financial future are at stake, you can’t afford to take risks. The experienced construction accident lawyers at Sommers Schwartz are here to help you every step of the way. Contact us today by calling 800-783-0989 or filling out our online contact form to schedule a consultation.