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Seattle Construction Accident Lawyers

The construction industry involves some of the most dangerous jobs and has some of the highest numbers of occupational injury cases in the country. Work conditions often change with little prior warning, and general contractors, subcontractors and workers all know how hazardous they can get. The accidents here are also grave as they can result in brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, scarring, burns, head injuries, disfigurement, lost limbs and injuries to joints. Workers also often don’t know who to approach for compensation after they are injured in construction accidents. If a construction accident has left you injured, our Seattle construction accident lawyers at Menzer Law, can advocate on your behalf. This includes helping you get the compensation you require for a complete recovery.

Why Us?

Our personal injury lawyers are experienced in handling serious injury cases, especially those arising from construction work. They are very familiar with the state and federal regulations and safety codes related to construction sites and these specific claims. This puts them at a great advantage in helping you to get fully compensated. Construction accident lawsuits tend to have a number of complex liability issues. This is often a result of the construction industry’s multilayered structure. Numerous contractors and subcontractors, rental businesses, construction crews from multiple companies, equipment manufacturers and suppliers, developers and property owners can all be involved in large building projects. This makes it difficult for injured workers to know who the responsible parties are. However, an experienced, knowledgeable and dedicated attorney can evaluate your claim and pursue the right companies to provide you with the compensation and benefits you deserve. Our Menzer Law construction accident lawyers can assist you in getting the maximum compensation available under the law. We have been helping injured workers since 2002, and we have the extensive experience and resources to go up against any defendant or insurance company that tries to deny your claim for just compensation. The following is the process we follow when handling Seattle construction accident cases:

  1. Documentation: The first thing your legal team will do is collect all the necessary records linked to your claim, including accident reports, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries investigation reports, medical bills, medical records and details of your loss of income. The documents will help inform us about the seriousness of your injuries and damages and lay the groundwork for your compensation.
  2. Investigation: This step involves gathering any essential evidence that will help prove your case. Your lawyer and legal team will look at all the details related to your accident and establish the provable facts. This can include collecting photographs, security camera footage, witness statements and police records, among others.
  3. Negotiation and litigation: Your lawyer will do their best to negotiate an out-of-court settlement at the appropriate time. However, we will be prepared to go to court and present a very strong case at trial if settlement negotiations are unsuccessful.

Seattle Construction Accident FAQ

What are the types of construction accident lawsuits and claims?

You may have one or more of the claims below due to an accident on a construction site that causes you serious injuries:

  • Workers’ compensation: You may not typically file a lawsuit against your employer or co-worker; rather, you are entitled to the benefits that your workers’ compensation insurance offers. When you are pursuing this type of compensation, you will need to prove that you were injured while working and that you have suffered some damages. The workers’ compensation benefits typically include payments of the related medical bills and payments for a portion of your lost wages.

You can combine a workers’ compensation claim with claims against third parties to recover additional compensation and more damages. These claims can include:

  • Personal injury: For a personal injury lawsuit based on a construction accident, you have to prove that a third party’s negligence caused your injury. This can be a person or a company, such as a different contractor on the job, including a general or subcontractor, or the owner or developer of the property.
  • Product liability: This type of lawsuit applies when your injury was caused by a defective product, and you may be able to sue one or more parties involved in its manufacturing and distribution chain. For example, if you fall and get injured at the construction site due to a defective ladder, you can seek compensation from its manufacturer, retailer or wholesaler, among others.
  • Wrongful death: This lawsuit applies when your family member is killed in a construction accident, and you can make the wrongful death claim for the losses suffered by the person’s close family members and estate.

In some instances, you can successfully file multiple claims at the same time.

What are some common types and causes of construction accidents?

There are numerous types of construction accidents. The most common ones include those involving cranes, forklifts, scaffolding, slip-and-falls, explosions, fires, electrocutions and gas leaks. These various accidents occur due to numerous reasons, including safety violations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and related state laws require employers to have certain permits, regularly inspect their workplaces and put in place job safety programs to prevent most accidents. The following are the leading causes of construction accidents:

  • Collapsed structures
  • Mechanical hazards
  • Improper use or maintenance of equipment
  • Poor safety precautions and oversight
  • Falling objects
  • Exposure to toxic substances
  • Insufficient training
  • Misuse of tools
  • Defective equipment
  • Fires and explosions

The majority of the accidents can be avoided if employers and other construction stakeholders are not negligent, adhere to safety procedures and policies and ensure that all work equipment and products function appropriately. The fact that most workplace accidents are avoidable often makes you eligible for appropriate compensation for the injuries you sustained during the accident.

Who can you seek compensation from after construction accident injuries?

Your employer and co-workers will typically have immunity from personal injury lawsuits if they carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, such immunity does not extend to egregious or intentional injuries caused by the employer or co-worker. Beyond your employer, the following are some other entities you might seek compensation from after a construction accident, typically known as third parties:

  • Construction site owners: This mainly depends on the level of control the owner has over the property compared with their level of control over the work being done.
  • Architects and engineers: An engineer or architect’s contract with a company can mandate them to check on the progress of the construction and verify compliance with relevant code regulations and plans.
  • Prime or general contractors: They are responsible for the work stipulated in their contract and any work that they delegate to subcontractors. They also have a duty under Washington law to provide a safe workplace for everyone, including employees of subcontractors.
  • Contractors and subcontractors: Contractors and subcontractors are required to provide their workers with reasonably safe construction sites, ensure that safety regulations are obeyed in the manner the work is done and warn of any dangers at the site that may come with a specific job.
  • Product companies: This category includes any entity in the distribution chain of a defective product that causes an injury, such as retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers. 

If you believe that you have been injured at a construction site due to someone or some company’s negligence or violation of the safety codes, tour Seattle construction accident lawyers at Menzer Law, can assist with your claims. Contact our team today online or by calling 206.903.1818 so that we can help you get the compensation you deserve.