Construction Site Falls Lawyers in Delaware

Seeking Justice for Injured Workers

Every road we drive down, the house we live in, and the business we visit would not be possible without the construction industry. Employers and workers in the field are some of the most integral aspects of American growth. Unfortunately, this industry also creates some of the biggest risks. Both workers and non-employees face dangers at these job sites, and one of the most perilous hazards is the potential for falls. If you or a loved one was injured in such an accident, a construction site falls lawyer in Delaware may be able to help.

At Schwartz & Schwartz, our law firm has dedicated years to helping accident victims seek justice and fair compensation. After suffering a fall in a construction site accident, you no doubt have many questions. This is true for every potential client we meet with, and that’s precisely why you should contact us as soon as possible after a fall accident on a construction site. If you need to speak with a Delaware construction accident attorney, don’t hesitate to reach out today.

How Dangerous Are Falls on Construction Worksites?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is tasked with improving worksite safety across America. They also maintain statistics and information on accidents and injuries. This is how they concluded that caught-in/between accidents, falls, struck-by incidents, and electrocution accidents are the most common fatal incidents on construction sites. They account for nearly two-thirds of all construction site deaths.

Of all these dangers, on-the-job falls cause the most devastation. In fact, approximately 36.5% of all deaths in American workplaces are due to falls. In the construction industry, these can occur at extreme heights or simply involve dangerous circumstances. For instance, even a short fall onto a piece of heavy equipment can cause spinal fractures, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and other physical harm. These accidents can be quite severe, so having an experienced attorney on your side is often necessary.

What Are Common Causes of Construction Site Falls?

It’s unfortunate, but many construction site fall accidents could be avoided. OSHA and state regulators set job site requirements with safety in mind, and they always account for the potential for fall injuries. Unfortunately, the most stringent rules can’t prevent accidents if they’re not followed properly or employees aren’t fully trained. As you’ll see from the following causes of construction site falls, the most common culprit in these accidents is negligence:

• Slippery floors or unstable walkways
• Faulty stairways or lack of guardrails
• Tripping hazards due to debris and construction materials
• Lack of barriers around trenches — leading to excavation accidents
• Scaffolding collapse
• Unfinished roofs
• Faulty equipment (e.g., broken ladders)
• Inadequate or missing fall protection (e.g., straps, harnesses)

This no doubt seems like an extensive list, but it’s impossible to account for every fall danger present on construction sites. The important thing to remember is that your case doesn’t have to fit neatly into one of these categories. If you’ve suffered a fall injury related to construction work, you could be entitled to receive financial compensation. Don’t sit around questioning whether your accident qualifies you for monetary recovery. Contact a Delaware construction site falls lawyer to put your mind at ease.

Can I Sue Someone Over a Construction Site Injury?

If you were a passerby, commuter, or other non-worker injured due to a construction site fall, you may be entitled to personal injury damages. One such incident occurred recently when a blind man fell into a massive hole left behind by construction workers. In such a situation, accident victims may be entitled to damages for lost income, pain and suffering, medical bills, emotional distress, and more. Of course, it’s construction workers who face the most frequent risks at these job sites.

When an employee is injured on the job, they typically only have workers’ compensation benefits as a recourse. Workers’ comp insurance will pay out regardless of what caused an accident, so victims and their families can receive compensation even if the employer wasn’t at fault. However, you may have a valid claim if a third party — such as an onsite general contractor — caused your injury. It’s important to speak with a construction site falls lawyer in Delaware to better understand your situation.

Do I Need an Attorney After Suffering a Fall at Work?

When you’re injured on the job site, the most important thing to do is report the accident to your employer. You should obviously seek treatment as well, but reporting the incident is what gets the ball rolling on workers’ compensation claims. Of course, some employers don’t like their workers’ comp insurance rates going up. Because of that, they may deny your claim or drag their feet on getting it submitted. In such a situation, you should speak with a Delaware workers’ compensation attorney immediately.

Of course, many employers fear the repercussions of unfairly denying such claims. This means you may file for benefits and receive them without encountering any hurdles whatsoever. In such a situation, it still wouldn’t hurt to reach out to a construction site falls lawyer in Delaware. That’s because you may have failed to realize that a third party contributed to your fall. By settling for workers’ comp benefits in a personal injury situation, you’re likely leaving substantial compensation on the table. In addition, you cannot rely on the workers’ comp insurance adjuster to tell you about all the financial benefits available to you. Anyone who has been injured on-the-job in a construction zone should speak to an attorney to learn about ALL of their legal rights, not just SOME of their legal rights.

Contact a Construction Site Falls Lawyer in Delaware Today

If you work in the construction industry, you’re an integral part of the American economy. Of course, you also know better than most just how dangerous your job is. If you suffered fall injuries while on the job, speaking with a workers’ compensation attorney is ideal. And if you think a third party may be at fault — or if you don’t work in the industry at all — reaching out to a Delaware personal injury attorney may be in your best interest.

At Schwartz & Schwartz, you’ll be represented by a team of diligent legal professionals dedicated to getting you the most compensation possible. In some cases, this may mean appealing a workers’ compensation denial. In other situations, it means settlement negotiations or taking your personal injury claim to trial. How your case moves forward will depend entirely on your unique circumstances. Contact us today by calling (302) 678-8700 for a free case evaluation. Let our construction site falls lawyers in Delaware help.