|
If you have suffered an on-the-job injury or illness, your employer may not be the only responsible party. Other third-parties, such as property owners, sub-contractors, architects, equipment manufacturers and others, also may share legal responsibility for your injuries. An experienced construction injury attorney can help you determine who you can seek recovery from for your injuries. General contractors must provide workers a construction site that is reasonably safe, and they have a legal duty to warn of any defects or hazards at the site, including any hazards inherent in the work being performed. If you have been injured at work due to unsafe working conditions, contact a skilled construction injury attorney to learn more about your legal options for recovering compensation for your injuries. Your employer is not allowed to discriminate or retaliate against you for filing a claim with OSHA. This includes decreasing your pay, transferring your job, denying you a raise, and other actions. If you feel you have been discriminated against, you have a limited amount of time to pursue protection. An experienced lawyer can explain your rights and options. Workers' compensation laws may affect your rights to recovery against your employer in your construction accident case. To learn more about workers' compensation laws in your state, contact an experienced workers' compensation lawyer. You may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits to help pay for your medical bills, lost wages and other expenses. Seattle, Washington, Construction Accidents LawyerExperienced Representation for Your Construction Accidents An accident on a construction site can have life-altering consequences. Working with heavy equipment or working elevated far above the ground, even small mistakes can lead to serious injuries. If you or someone you love has been injured in a construction accident and you want to protect your best interests, you need the assistance of an experienced attorney. With more than 20 years in practice, attorney Kathleen Garvin has the experience to successfully represent you for your construction accident lawsuit. To learn more about the law governing construction accidents, please review the information below. To speak with an experienced construction accident attorney, please contact the Law Offices of Kathleen Garvin today. Law Offices of Kathleen Garvin Construction Accidents - An OverviewConstruction workers face some of the most dangerous working conditions in the country on a daily basis. Although there are regulations, statutes, ordinances and industry standards that mandate employers must provide a reasonably safe working environment, construction workers still suffer serious injuries at an alarming rate. The sheer number of hazards on a construction site makes it virtually impossible to prevent all injuries from occurring. These hazards include falls from scaffolds and other elevations, being struck by moving or falling machinery, electrocution, health hazards resulting from exposure to asbestos and chemicals, injuries caused by defective or unsafe equipment, and lifting and repetitive motion injuries. If you have suffered or if one of your family members has suffered injuries as the result of a construction accident, an experienced construction accident and injury litigation attorney can help you understand your rights. Construction Injuries at a GlanceAccording to the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry accounts for the highest number of worker fatalities of any industry. Hazards posed by construction sites include exposure to noise, dust and other chemicals, working from high elevations and in confined spaces, working with power tools and other mechanical equipment, exposure to electricity, and performing excavations. More information on the specific types of injuries suffered by constructions workers is provided below. Workers' CompensationIf you have been injured while working at a construction site, your financial recovery may be affected by workers' compensation laws, depending on your employment situation and the degree of liability on your employer's part. Following is a brief examination of the typical workers' compensation procedure. Keep in mind that parties other than your employer may be legally responsible for your injuries (such as third-party contractors, property owners or equipment manufacturers) and your recovery from those parties will not be affected by workers' compensation laws. If you or your loved one has suffered injuries as the result of a construction accident, consult a workers' compensation attorney to learn if you qualify for benefits. OSHA and Employee Workplace RightsOSHA safety standards and regulations apply to construction projects, so it is helpful to have a general idea of your rights under OSHA as an employee at a construction job site. If you or your loved one has suffered injuries as the result of a construction accident, consult an attorney to learn more about your rights regarding compensation. Who is Liable for Construction Site Injuries?There are many different parties who may be liable when a construction worker suffers an on-the-job injury, including the property owner, the general contractor, sub-contractors, architects or other designers, engineers, construction managers and suppliers (equipment and materials). The number of potential liable parties depends on how large and sophisticated the project is. While many construction projects are based on general contract relationships (where a general contractor retained by the site owner enters into agreements with sub-contractors as needs require), larger projects are increasingly being handled by "construction management" organizations. Construction Accident Resource Links
OSHA - Employee Workplace Rights
OSHA - Construction Scaffolding
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Department of Labor
OSHA Construction Resource Manual
|
Call us nowor use the form below.Frequently Asked Questions about Construction Accidents
Q: How do I take steps to assert my rights to a safe workplace? A: If you feel that your workplace is unsafe, your first action should be to make your supervisor aware of the danger, then follow up in writing. If you are still unsuccessful in getting the safety hazard corrected, you can file a complaint at the nearest OSHA office. You can refer to OSHA's website at http://www.osha.gov for more information. Q: If I'm injured while working on a construction site, is it possible for me to recover more than just workers' compensation benefits? A: Workers' compensation laws only affect your recovery from your employer, not other parties. If other parties, such as equipment manufacturers, property owners or third-party contractors, are responsible for your injuries, you may be able to recover from them in addition to collecting workers' compensation benefits. |
Contact Us
Suite 1000315 Fifth Ave. South
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: 206-340-0600
Fax: 206-299-9725
