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Construction Site Injuries

Let a Columbus Construction Accident Attorney Handle Your Claim for Benefits 

As our workplace accidents know all too well, construction sites can be very dangerous places. Multiple contractors, moving machinery, heavy equipment, overhead cranes and construction debris expose workers to the risk of serious injury or death. General contractors may cut corners to maximize profits. Poorly trained and underpaid workers may be used. Equipment may not be serviced as often as necessary. Important safety equipment may not be provided. Essential safety rules are often ignored.

When a serious injury or death occurs on a construction site, it is important to hire a Columbus construction workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible. Critical evidence such as video surveillance, photographs, phone records, emails, maintenance records, text messages, and witness statements may be lost, destroyed, or altered. Obtaining and preserving this information is necessary to ensure that you receive full and fair restitution for all the resulting harms and losses. 

At Malek & Malek Law Firm, our experienced lawyers have been representing hard-working men and women who have been injured on construction sites since 1972. We have been successful at getting compensation for construction site injuries under both the workers’ compensation system in addition to claims against the careless contractors and others who ignore the construction safety rules via personal injury claims. 

Common Construction Site Accidents in Ohio

Construction workers are exposed to multiple dangers every day at work, and unfortunately, accidents are common. These accidents can lead to severe injuries and even death. Some of the most common accidents that lead to construction site accident cases include: 

  • Vehicle accidents (including accidents involving a worker and a construction vehicle as well as accidents involving two or more vehicles)
  • Fires
  • Explosions
  • Falls
  • Falling objects
  • Equipment failures
  • Scaffolding, building, and trench collapses

In addition to these accidents, construction workers also face potential injuries due to environmental hazards and exposure to toxic substances. They can also suffer injuries due to overuse or repetitive use.

Road construction workers face an additional hazard – the danger posed by other drivers. Despite legislative efforts to increase penalties in construction zones, many drivers continue to speed, make unsafe lane changes, or drive while using their smartphones. This type of negligent behavior can result in catastrophic accidents and injuries. 

Breaking Down the Causes of Construction Site Injuries

Crane Accidents

Crane accidents are one of the most common types of crane accidents and, unfortunately, often result in injury or even death. Whether it’s a mobile crane, tower crane, or one of the other types of cranes commonly in use on a construction site, a knowledgeable Columbus construction worker injury attorney can help you get fair compensation if you have been injured in a crane accident. This includes the following types of accidents: 

  • Crane collapses
  • Cranes dropping loads onto workers or crushing them when moving loads 
  • The crane coming into contact with power lines resulting in electrocutions
  • Falls from crane platforms

Forklift Accidents

Forklifts are another piece of equipment that are common on construction sites, used to unload materials from a truck or move materials around the site. Because they are designed to lift such heavy loads, forklifts are much more dangerous than many people realize. Serious injuries can occur in the following situations: 

  • The forklift tips over
  • The forklift drops cargo on workers
  • The forklift collides with or runs over a worker
  • The forklift suffers a mechanical failure

If you have been injured as a result of a forklift accident, a Columbus construction accident attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve. 

Lift Accidents

Because they lift workers high into the air, lifts present obvious hazards on construction sites. In addition, construction companies, contractors, or rental companies often fail to ensure that the lift is functioning properly or has the necessary safety equipment. Falling from a lift can result in severe injuries and often death. An experienced Columbus construction accident attorney will be able to identify the cause of action and who should be held accountable.  

Explosions 

Explosions are more common on construction sites than you might expect. They can be caused by any of the following: 

  • Combustible materials including dust
  • Flammable materials
  • Electrical sparks and related hazards
  • Gas leaks
  • Faulty machinery and equipment

Explosions typically result in burn injuries and other severe injuries that can leave workers maimed or permanently disabled. Identifying the cause of the explosion and who is responsible could be critical in receiving fair compensation for your injuries. A Columbus construction accident lawyer can investigate your case and determine how to proceed. 

Electrical and Burn Injuries

Electrical shocks and burn injuries can be very serious, doing damage to the nervous system, muscles, tendons, and skin. Severe burns can leave workers permanently disfigured and disabled. If you have suffered an electrical or burn injury on a construction site, a Columbus construction injury lawyer can help you get compensation for the medical treatment you need.  

Equipment Failures

Construction requires the daily use of heavy equipment and other machinery. Unfortunately, equipment is often in poor repair or missing important safety features. When heavy equipment or machinery fails, workers can be seriously injured. 

Trench Collapses

Poorly constructed trenches can suddenly collapse, leaving workers trapped and seriously injured. The collapse may be also caused by unstable soil or flooding that causes the trench to become unstable. Whatever the cause, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Working with a Columbus construction accident attorney is the best way to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. Specifically, trench accidents are often a result of a violation of a safety requirement in Ohio, so you need a VSSR attorney who is experienced with these claims.  

Ohio Construction Site Injuries That May Be Eligible for Workers Comp

Given the types of accidents construction workers face, there is a broad spectrum of injuries that can result. These injuries can range from mild to severe and can lead to a partial or total disability. Some of the injuries that we have seen in the cases we handle include: 

Some injuries may not be apparent right away, which is why it’s important that you get a thorough medical exam. In addition, do not hesitate to schedule a follow-up visit or seek a second opinion if your condition does not improve or gets worse. Regardless, if you have suffered a serious injury in a construction accident, you may be entitled to compensation and we can help. 

Are You Unable to Work? A Columbus Construction Accident Attorney Explains Your Options for Benefits

Construction is a physically demanding job. If you’re injured, it often means that you’re unable to work. As a result, you face lost income on top of your medical bills. If you’ve been injured in a construction accident, it’s important to understand what your options are and what your claim may be worth. A Columbus construction accident lawyer can review your case and discuss with you whether you may be entitled to compensation. 

When people are injured at work, they generally have two options if they decide to pursue compensation for their injuries: 

  • They can file a workers’ compensation claim; or
  • They can pursue a personal injury claim against the party who is responsible for their injuries.

Generally speaking, these two options are often exclusive. You cannot pursue a workers’ compensation claim and then sue your employer. However, there are exceptions. Each of these options has important advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to discuss your case with a Columbus construction accident lawyer before deciding how to proceed. 

About Workers’ Compensation Claims for Construction Workers in Ohio

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault form of insurance that pays benefits to injured workers. It is designed to help you cover your lost income and your medical bills in the event that you are injured on the job. For most injured workers, workers’ compensation is the safety net that protects them from financial ruin as a result of their injury. Advantages of workers’ compensation claims include: 

  • You do not need to prove that your employer or anyone else caused the accident that led to your injury.
  • Workers’ compensation begins paying benefits fairly quickly. The BWC makes a decision on most claims within 28 days of filing. 
  • Workers’ compensation will pay all of your medical expenses caused by your accident and two-thirds of your average weekly income for up to 200 weeks. .

In many instances, a workers’ compensation claim may be your only option. If you’ve been injured at work, the best thing you can do is speak with a Columbus construction accident attorney to make sure you understand your options before deciding how to proceed. It’s our job to inform you for your rights and help you make a decision in your best interest.

Pursuing a Personal Injury Claim After a Columbus Construction Accident

The advantages of a workers’ compensation claim sometimes become more clear when you compare it to pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. If you pursue a personal injury claim after a construction accident, you will need to prove that some other party was responsible for your accident. Proving negligence can be difficult and requires knowledge of the law and careful analysis of the facts in your case. 

Another thing to keep in mind is that a personal injury claim can take months to resolve, and sometimes years. For injured construction workers who are unable to work, they cannot wait this long to get the compensation they need. 

The principal advantage of a personal injury claim is that, if you prevail, you are entitled to seek compensation for the following: 

  • Your medical expenses
  • All of your lost income
  • Any other financial losses you have suffered
  • Your pain and suffering

Contact a Columbus Construction Accident Attorney For a Free Consultation

Contact a Columbus construction injury lawyer at Malek Law Firm by calling 888-444-7440 for a free consultation to understand what options are available to you for your construction site injuries.