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Top Construction Hazards That Cause Life-Altering Injuries (Excluding Workers’ Comp Cases)

By Grant Law Office on May 9, 2025

Construction sites are among the most dangerous environments in Georgia. This is even true for individuals who are not covered under the workers’ compensation system.

Visitors, subcontractors, vendors, delivery drivers, and even pedestrians walking near a site can be seriously injured due to preventable hazards.

Unlike employees who typically must go through the workers’ comp system, non-workers may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit when a construction site fails to meet safety standards. But these site hazard lawsuits often involve complex claims against contractors, property owners, or site managers.

At Grant Law Office, our Atlanta construction accident lawyers help victims navigate the legal process when a construction accident injury changes their lives. Here’s what you should know about the most dangerous construction hazards and how those responsible can be held accountable.

Falling Objects

Falling object injuries are one of the most common and devastating construction site accidents. Tools, equipment, bricks, or materials can fall from scaffolds, cranes, or upper floors, striking anyone below.

These accidents often cause:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Skull fractures
• Neck and spinal trauma
• Fatal blunt-force impacts

In Georgia, construction site managers and general contractors are required to secure materials and prevent falling debris with barriers, toe boards, or netting. When these safety measures are missing or ignored, anyone injured may have the right to pursue a claim under third-party construction liability against:

• Delivery workers
• Inspectors
• Bystanders
• Employees of other subcontractors (not under the same employer umbrella)

Scaffolding Failures

Scaffolds are essential to multi-story construction, but when erected or used improperly, they become serious safety hazards. A scaffold fall accident in Georgia can occur when:

• The scaffold collapses due to poor assembly
• Workers or visitors fall from unguarded platforms
• The scaffold is not properly anchored or secured

These incidents can affect both construction workers and others, such as window cleaners, utility workers, and adjacent pedestrians, if scaffolds are erected on sidewalks or public access points.

When non-employees are injured, they can recover compensation from the general contractor, property owner, or scaffolding company directly. These parties may be liable for improper setup, lack of guardrails, or failure to enforce fall protection procedures.

Exposed Electrical Wiring

Live electrical wiring is a hidden but deadly threat. On active construction sites, exposed wires, unfinished panels, or defective grounding can lead to electrocution or serious burns.

Injury victims might include:

• Third-party contractors
• Utility workers
• Clean-up crews
• Passersby

A non-employee injury on-site that involves electricity often happens when safety barriers are missing or there’s no warning signage. Property owners, site managers, and electricians can all be liable if they fail to identify and isolate electrical hazards.

Under Georgia premises liability and negligent maintenance standards, business owners can also be accountable when they know (or should have known) about dangerous electrical conditions and fail to address them.

Unsecured Site Access and Tripping Hazards

Construction zones should be tightly controlled, but many sites in Atlanta are poorly secured, leaving open trenches, exposed rebar, uneven ground, and construction debris easily accessible.

These hazards commonly injure:

• Delivery drivers dropping off materials
• Pedestrians walking by unsecured perimeters
• Clients, inspectors, or visitors on the property

In these cases, third-party construction liability may apply to:

• The site manager for allowing unsafe conditions
• The property owner for failing to secure the premises
• Contractors who failed to follow OSHA guidelines

If the site is located on or near a business open to the public, injured visitors may have grounds for a premises liability claim.

Construction Vehicle and Equipment Accidents

Construction sites often include large, dangerous equipment, such as backhoes, forklifts, cranes, cement trucks, and bulldozers. When operated carelessly or without proper visibility, these machines can run over, strike, or trap unsuspecting people.

Examples of construction accident injuries in Atlanta caused by equipment include:

• Vendors crushed during deliveries
• Passersby struck by machinery entering/exiting the site
• Subcontractors injured due to lack of spotters or warning systems

When these accidents involve on-site non-employee injuries, the injured party can recover compensation from the company operating the equipment, the equipment rental company, or the site manager for lack of safety protocols.

Proving Fault in Atlanta Construction Site Lawsuits

Unlike workers’ compensation, where fault is irrelevant, site hazard lawsuits require evidence that a third party was negligent. Proving fault may involve:

• Investigating site safety records
• Reviewing incident reports or inspection violations
• Analyzing contracts between owners, contractors, and subcontractors
• Interviewing witnesses
• Hiring construction safety experts

At Grant Law Office, we conduct thorough investigations to uncover whether the property owner, general contractor, subcontractor, or site manager failed to meet their legal duty.

Our team has over 60 years of combined experience in holding negligent parties accountable, no matter how complex the construction site or corporate structure.

What to Do After an Atlanta Construction Site Injury

Timing matters. Many construction sites are cleaned up quickly after an accident, so acting fast is essential to preserving evidence. So if you or someone you love was seriously hurt on or near a construction site in Atlanta and is not covered by workers’ compensation, here’s what you should do:

1. Seek immediate medical attention.
2. Report the incident to the site supervisor and get a copy of any written report.
3. Document the scene with photos or videos (if possible).
4. Identify any companies or personnel involved.
5. Speak with an Atlanta personal injury attorney before agreeing to any settlement or releasing any claims.

Talk to an Atlanta Construction Site Injury Lawyer Today

If you suffered a serious construction accident injury in Atlanta as a visitor, vendor, subcontractor, or pedestrian, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim, not just workers’ comp.

Our experienced team at Grant Law Office has a proven track record of fighting for victims of dangerous construction sites. With more than 60 years of combined experience, our husband-and-wife team knows how to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions.

Wayne Grant has been selected as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury Litigation by Best Lawyers and is proud to be named among the top 5 percent of attorneys in Georgia by Super Lawyers.

Call us at (404) 995-3955 to schedule your free consultation today. We can investigate your case and hold negligent parties accountable for the harm you’ve suffered.