Construction sites are among the highest risk areas for serious injuries. When a construction accident occurs, construction workers and people who are visiting or walking nearby a worksite are at risk of suffering serious and life-altering injuries due to the high-risk nature of these environments.
Falls from buildings, tripping over loose equipment, improperly-installed scaffolding, falling equipment, and negligent procedures are among the most common examples of construction accident cases we handle. The dangers of construction sites have resulted in countless injuries and fatalities across the state of Washington.
Construction Accident Lawyers
Although employees in the state of Washington are prohibited from suing their own employers, many people who are injured in construction accidents still have legal rights and options for recovering financial compensation for their injuries or the loss of a loved one. In some cases, a third party contractor or vendor may be responsible for a victim’s injuries, and victims may be able to pursue a claim against that third party.
Contact the experienced legal team at Davis Law Group by calling (206) 727-4000 for a free case review and to request a legal consultation with our award-winning attorneys.
Types of Construction Accidents
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Construction Falls / Falling Materials
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Crane Collapse / Crane Load Fall
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Manlift or Elevator Drop
Causes of Construction Accidents
In far too many instances, construction companies will put work schedules and deadlines ahead of worker safety. But when an employer pushes safety to the backburner, accidents are bound to occur.
The lawyers at Davis Law Group have represented many construction workers in Seattle and across Washington state who suffered injuries on the job. We offer free case evaluations if you’d like to discuss your accident.
The most common causes of construction site accidents include:
- Unsafe equipment
- Tripping hazards
- Lack of fall protection for workers
- Lack of protection for people on the ground
- Lack of safety guards on tools
- Unsafe property conditions
- Electrocution hazards
- Fires and explosions
Injuries Caused by Construction Accidents
Even when careful action is taken and proper safety training is conducted, workers may still suffer injuries on a construction site leading to a wide range of medical conditions. These injuries range from minor to extremely severe, and can result in many types of treatment.
There are many different risks that construction workers face on the job. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) lists the top injuries on construction sites, which include:
- Burns
- Eye injuries
- Electrocution
- Broken bones
- Ligament injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head injury and/or brain injuries
In the most serious cases, the injuries sustained by the construction worker will be fatal.
Statistics & Facts: Construction Accidents
According to the latest Department of Labor statistics from 2013, 4,405 construction workers were killed on the job. That means 12 workers were killed a day. Between 2002 and 2012, nearly 20 percent of all fatal workplace accidents occurred in the construction industry, according to EHS Today. And between 2010 and 2013, there were a total of 3,256 work-related fatalities among construction workers throughout the U.S.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says one in ten construction workers (about 10 percent) suffer a reportable injury on the job each year in the United States. Furthermore, Safety + Health Magazine says construction workers have a 1-in-200 chance of being killed in a workplace accident throughout the course of a 45-year career.
Falls from scaffolding, buildings, and other types of falls are responsible for the largest percentage of fatal construction accidents, according to The Center for Construction Research and Training.
Younger construction workers are at greatest risk of being killed in an accident on the job, as the U.S. National Library of Medicine says the industry sees the second-highest number of fatal injuries to workers under the age of 18.
On-The-Job Injury Claims in Washington
A majority of people are injured in construction accidents while they are on the job, which can complicate the legal process for injured victims in Washington state. State laws prohibit injury victims from filing a lawsuit against their own employer, which means many injured construction workers are forced to pursue a claim with the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). These claims limit the victim's ability to recover fair compensation, and many times the benefits are insufficient relative to the damages the victim has suffered.
However, there are certain laws and conditions that may allow an injured construction worker to pursue a third-party injury lawsuit against a party responsible for his or her injuries. This process is very complex, and it is recommended that anyone who may have been seriously injured in a construction accident consult with an experienced attorney who has handled construction accident cases.
Davis Law Group offers a free case evaluation to any worker who has been injured in a construction accident. Our award-winning legal team can help you determine whether you may have a case against a third-party, as well as whether it may be in your best interests to hire a lawyer to represent you. Use the confidential contact form on this page or call our Seattle office at (206) 727-4000 to get started.
Free Construction Accident Legal Consultation
The award-winning legal team at Davis Law Group will review your personal injury case free of charge and help you better understand your legal rights after a serious construction accident. Our attorneys have represented injured people in the Seattle area and throughout Washington state for more than 20 years.
If you or a loved one has been injured and you wish to speak with an attorney about your case, call our office in Seattle at (206) 727-4000 or use the confidential contact form on this page for a free case review. If we believe we can help improve the chances of a successful outcome, our award-winning attorneys will meet with you for a free legal consultation to discuss your case in greater detail.
