Cranes, falls, chemical exposure, and forklifts are just a few of the most common types of construction accidents.
Because of the inherent dangers of construction, many work injuries lead to devastating effects. The Occupational Health and Safety (OHSA) reports that over 20% of worker deaths are in the construction industry.
If you are lucky enough to survive a construction accident, it’s important to know who is responsible and what your legal rights are for pursuing compensation.
Safety Laws and Employers’ Responsibilities
According to the Washington Industrial Safety Act (WISHA), your employer and other parties have a legal responsibility to provide you and any subcontractors with a reasonably safe work environment and prevent certain hazards.
The general contractor must enforce all safety regulations for all employees on-site, not just the company employees. This duty runs from all upper-tier subcontractors to all lower-tier subcontractors that the company may hire as contracted workers.
Additionally, OSHA provides federal guidelines that state “your employer must provide a workplace free of known health and safety hazards.” You also have the right to speak up against any safety concerns without fear of termination or retaliation.
Determining Who Is Liable
There are several factors that a construction accident attorney will investigate in order to determine how is liable for your accident, including (but not limited to):
Whether the accident occurred on private property or a commercial site
Whether you are an employee or a contracted worker
Whether there were any OSHA or WISHA violations
If you are an employee of a construction company, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits in order to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and temporary or permanent disabilities.
Additionally, you may also be able to file a third-party injury case if your injuries were caused by another party, such as in a vehicle accident, a slip-and-fall due to uneven pavement, or due defective equipment or tools.
Pursuing Maximum Compensation
After a construction accident, determining who is responsible for your damages can be incredibly difficult with an experienced construction accident attorney on your side. At Kornfeld Law, our Seattle-based legal team is dedicated to ensuring that negligent parties are held accountable for their actions. You may be entitled to compensation for:
Medical bills
Lost wages and lost earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional damages
Long-term debilitating
Diminished quality of life
Let us stand in your corner so you can obtain the compensation you need to recover the right way.
Contact Kornfeld Law at (425) 657-5255 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.