Morgantown Construction Accident Lawyer Helps Injured Workers
West Virginia attorney seeks compensation for clients hurt on building and repair jobs
Construction projects are essential to the safety and economic vitality of West Virginia communities. However, whether it’s a small job or a major development, there are numerous hazards associated with building and repair work. If you or someone in your family were injured in a construction accident, Mountaineer Injury Law Group can review the facts and assess what type of compensation might be paid in a personal injury claim. From offices in Morgantown and Martinsburg, my firm assists laborers hurt in falls, equipment accidents and other incidents stemming from someone else’s negligence.
Types of accidents that lead to construction site injuries
Common causes of construction site injuries include the following:
- Falls from ladders and scaffolds — Working high above the ground demands that specific safety measures be used. In cases involving falls from ladders and scaffolds, I review the facts thoroughly to find where errors were made.
- Equipment accidents — Manufacturing defects, poor maintenance or faulty operation might be the reason that someone gets hurt in a construction site accident.
- Dropped objects — Strikes from dropped tools, paint cans and other objects are classified as one of the “fatal four” causes of deaths that occur on construction projects.
- Slip and fall incidents — If you tripped or slipped due to materials that are left on the ground, loose floorboards or something else, my firm will review the facts to find the liable party.
- Exposed electric lines and other unsafe property conditions — Carelessness with power lines, failure to mark a dangerous walking surface and other forms of negligence create hazards that put construction workers at risk.
No matter what precipitated your construction-related injury, I will press for maximum compensation so that you can focus on your physical recovery.
Proving negligence in construction injury lawsuits
Often, the first thing that people do after a construction accident is blame someone else for what happened. On sites where there are multiple contractors and lots of activity, it might be difficult to pinpoint who contributed to a serious accident. You can rely on my firm to conduct a detailed investigation and use the legal discovery process to build a persuasive case regarding a defendant’s negligence. To do this, I rely on physical evidence, witness accounts, deposition testimony, photographs from the scene, relevant documents and interrogatory answers.
Workers’ compensation benefits in construction accident claims
To ensure that the employees hurt in construction accidents and other job-related accidents can get the prompt medical care they need, most employers are required to maintain workers’ compensation coverage. This is a program that ensures claimants receive prompt reimbursement for healthcare expenses and part of their lost income following an injury suffered during the course of their work. An injured employee receives these benefits without having to prove fault, but then cannot seek personal injury damages from their employer or a negligent co-worker. However, if a third party, such as an equipment manufacturer, vehicle driver or someone working for a different employer, contributed to your construction accident, you might be able to file a personal injury claim against them for damages, such as compensation for pain and suffering, not available within the workers’ compensation system.
Litigator represents independent contractors in personal injury actions
Many property owners and developers seek to complete their projects by hiring independent contractors. Unlike employees, independent contractors do not receiver workers’ compensation coverage or other types of legal protection. If a question exists about whether someone is an employee or independent contractor, several factors are reviewed to make a determination. These include the duration of the relationship between the parties and the level of behavioral control that the hiring entity has over the worker. As an independent contractor, you might be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the business that hired you or a negligent co-worker, so it is important to speak with a qualified attorney as soon as possible after you’ve been hurt.
Contact a West Virginia construction accident attorney for a free consultation
Mountaineer Injury Law Group advocates for West Virginians who have been hurt in construction accidents. To discuss your case with an experienced personal injury litigator in a free consultation, please call 304-202-5835 or contact me online. My offices are in Morgantown and Martinsburg.
