Falls at a Construction Site

January 3, 2018 | Construction Site Accidents

By nature, construction work is a dangerous occupation. Exposure to heavy machinery, moving objects, and extreme heights can all lead to serious injuries. One of the most common dangers on a construction site is a fall hazard from a dangerous height. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that any worker who is suspended from six feet or higher must use proper safety equipment to prevent a fall. In 2009, 39 percent of all worker deaths on construction sites resulted from a fall or slip.

Many situations can cause these and other accidents. An open skylight or a slick surface on the roof can cause a fall. Malfunctioning equipment, or workers who are not fully trained or qualified to use it, can result in other injuries.

Regardless of the reason, a fall or other accident at a construction site can result in a serious or even deadly injury.

If a work injury fall was caused by your own employer, your rights are usually limited by workers’ compensation coverage.

However, when construction workers fall because of the negligence of someone other than their own employers, fall victims have the right to hold those non-employer businesses liable for their medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, and other relevant losses.

Liability for Your Accident

Causes of falls that may lead to a legal claim include:

• Scaffolding built by someone other than your own employer was defective and collapsed
• Safety equipment provided by someone other than your own employer was defective and allowed someone to fall

If you were injured while working on a construction site and it was not your own employer’s fault, you should discuss your right to take legal action with an experienced injury attorney as soon as possible. In addition, any construction workers who were injured by another third party—such as an equipment manufacturer—should also learn about their rights and options.

Steps to Take After a Fall Accident on a Construction Site

If you were injured in a fall while working at a construction site, take the following steps:

• Seek immediate medical attention. Regardless of the severity of the accident, have a medical professional check you out and determine if a long-term injury might surface days or weeks later.
• Document the accident. What exactly happened? What led to the fall? Did anyone else in the area witness the event? Taking notes and recording witness testimony as soon as possible after the fall will help provide valuable documentation once you are ready to file a legal claim. The longer you wait to do this, the less clear the accident will be in your memory.
• Consult a lawyer. Personal injury claims can become complicated, especially involving third-party liability on a work site. To make sure you take all necessary steps toward filing a successful claim, work with an experienced construction accident attorney who can help you receive just compensation.

Call Indiana Personal Injury Attorney Merry Fountain Today for a Free Consultation

Indianapolis personal injury lawyer Merry Fountain is a skilled injury advocate. If you are looking for an injury law attorney in the greater Indy area—Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, Zionsville, Brownsburg, Avon, Kokomo, Lebanon— she’s here to help. Call her anytime at 1-888-242-HURT (4878), or simply click Tell Us About Your Case for a free consultation.