Atlanta Construction Accident Lawyers

Standing Up for Injured Construction Workers in Atlanta

When safety is shortchanged, however, the results can be devastating. Construction accidents can cause a wide range of life-threatening injuries, including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, and other severe damage. Those who survive these serious injuries may find that they face years of expensive and grueling medical care, surgeries, physical therapy, and other procedures in order to regain even a fraction of their former ability to function.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured on the job, then you deserve proper compensation for your injuries. The construction industry is one of the most dangerous professions in the country, but proper safety measures, training, and equipment can protect workers. Our legal team at Grant Law Office has the skill and knowledge to investigate your accident and determine how you can get compensation. While you may be able to recover compensation in a workers’ compensation claim, you may also have a claim against a third-party, such as a property owner or manufacturer. Please contact an Atlanta construction accident lawyer at Grant Law Office by calling us at (404) 995-3955 for a free case evaluation.

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Workers Injured on Construction Sites

An estimated 20% of worker fatalities occur in the construction industry, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In addition, the National Safety Council (NSC) has also declared the construction industry the fourth deadliest industry in the country. These deaths are often the result of OSHA’s fatal four, which include:

• Falls
• Struck by objects (falling objects or collisions)
• Caught in-betweens (roof collapses, trench collapses, etc.)
• Electrocutions

While construction workers suffer most of these injuries, people who are not working on the construction site may be injured as well. These people include passersby, children, or pedestrians cutting through construction sites, and people who live in the area of a construction zone who are injured by debris or made ill by toxic chemicals leaking from the site into the air or water.

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What Are Common Types of Construction Accidents?

Common types of Atlanta construction accidents that can injure or kill both workers and non-workers include:

• Falls: Falls are the most common workplace accident, and construction worker are at high risk of suffering serious injuries in the accidents. Workers can trip and fall on construction materials, slip on dirty or wet floors, or fall off ladders or scaffolding. A single fall can result in a serious injury like a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage.
• Excavation: An area underneath the ground or sidewalk that has been dug out may collapse, injuring both anyone underneath and anyone walking over the top. Excavated areas often collapse quickly and without warning, giving both workers and pedestrians no chance to avoid injury in a trench collapse.
• Falling materials: Tools, equipment, and building materials can drop or fall from overhead, especially if workers are working on scaffolding or on a roof at great heights. These items can cause serious injury or death if they strike someone walking below.
• Machinery or equipment failures: Any kind of power tools or equipment, from hand-held drills to forklifts or backhoes, might have a mechanical failure that can lead to an accident. Large equipment can be especially dangerous if it slips out of gear or malfunctions.
• Scaffold or other structure failure: Scaffolding, fences, sheds, and other temporary structures may fall apart, injuring anyone on or near them, especially if they were not installed correctly or are made of defective parts or materials.
• Equipment failures: Power tools, compressors, heavy-equipment, and other tools can cause severe injuries in the hands of inexperienced workers. Workers should be fully trained on how to safely operate a device and follow proper procedures to keep themselves, and others, safe. But dangerous equipment can also cause serious accidents if the device is defective, which may be the result of a negligent manufacturer, rental company, or retailer.
• Road construction accidents: Drivers are required by law to slow their vehicles in road construction zones to protect workers and avoid serious auto accidents. If a driver injures a worker, they may be able to file a claim against the driver’s insurance for compensation.

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Obtaining Justice for Injured Victims in Atlanta

Construction companies and third parties have a responsibility to both their workers and the general public to follow safety regulations and keep workplaces as injury-free as possible. OSHA and state occupational safety departments provide extensive instructions on how construction sites should handle materials, equipment, and work in order to minimize the risk of injury or death. Companies struggling to meet a deadline or finish a project under budget, however, may cut corners on safety issues.

Most construction workers in Georgia are covered by workers' compensation insurance, which pays for lost wages, medical bills, and other costs related to a construction accident. Nevertheless, lawful workers' compensation claims can be denied, or the coverage provided may not be substantial enough.

Furthermore, third parties, such as contractors, sub-contractors, manufacturers of tools and machinery, as well as others, can be held liable for a construction accident that causes injury or death. In addition, workers' compensation does not cover non-workers who are injured on or near construction sites.

It is important to review all of your options after a construction accident. At Grant Law Office, we can review the nature of your accident to determine where you can receive compensation from, which can include:

• Workers’ Compensation: Workers’ compensation is most workers first option after a construction accident. In return for receiving no-fault insurance coverage on a jobsite, construction workers must give up their right to hold an employer liable for an injury. If you are receiving workers’ compensation, then you cannot pursue a personal injury claim against your employer, but you may be able to file a claim against a third-party.
• Personal Injury Claim: Personal injury claims against third-parties involve showing that a negligent party other than your employer caused your injuries through an act of negligence. This can include contractors, negligent drivers, and other construction companies.
• Premises Liability Claim: A premises liability claim can be filed against a negligent property owner if the owner was aware of – or reasonably should have been aware – of a safety hazard and failed to warn a construction worker of it. Cases like these can include dog attacks while renovating someone’s home, trip and falls on sidewalks while walking between jobsites, and negligent security measures.
• Product Liability Claim: Power tool and construction equipment manufacturers have a duty to ensure their products have the proper safety measures to prevent injuries. If a defective part causes a worker’s injuries, they may be able to pursue a product liability claim to recover compensation.

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Speak with Our Atlanta Construction Accident Lawyers at Grant Law Office

At Grant Law Office, our Atlanta personal injury lawyers examine every aspect of a case to ensure our clients understand all of their options after a construction accident. We will carefully review every detail of your injuries, investigate any and all negligent parties, and advocate for the highest possible ward in a claim. We only take on a handful of cases at a time to give each client the attention and time they deserve to recover compensation. If you've been injured in a construction accident or lost a loved one in a fatal workplace accident, call us at (404) 995-3955 today to learn more about your legal rights and see if our experience can help you.

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Additional Information

• Common Construction Zone Accidents and How to Prevent Them
• Construction Accidents Caused by Falling Materials
• Beware of Falling Construction Debris in Atlanta
• The Danger of Electrical Injuries on Atlanta Construction Sites
• Who Is Responsible for Trench Collapses?
• Construction Safety and Health