Austin Construction Site Hazards Injury Lawyer
Construction sites are inherently dangerous places, which is why the companies that operate them are responsible for instituting safety protocols and ensuring that they don’t contain any dangerous defects or hazards. When construction companies and site managers fail to provide a safe environment for workers and passersby, they put innocent people at risk of devastating accidents and severe injuries.
If you’ve been injured in a construction accident that was caused by a site defect or safety hazard, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more – but pursuing this compensation can be difficult without the help of a seasoned attorney. That’s where Loewy Law Firm can help. We’ve been helping injured Texans since 2005 and have recovered tens of millions of dollars on their behalf to date. Contact us today for a free consultation and find out what our Austin construction accidents lawyer can do for you.
Common Construction Site Safety Hazards
Construction companies are morally and legally responsible for maintaining safe work environments and taking steps to reduce the risk that anyone comes to harm. Because construction sites are already filled with potential hazards like heavy equipment and machinery, debris, tools, ladders, and scaffolding, construction companies have an obligation to consider all possible dangers and take action when necessary to eliminate threats.
Some of the most common construction site defects and dangers include:
- Lack of guards and tripping devices around certain machinery
- Defective wiring, which can lead to electrocution accidents
- Incorrectly assembled scaffolds and ladders
- Cluttered work areas and loose debris
- Lack of posted warnings about specific dangers in the construction area
- Failure to provide proper training to new hires, including training for falling objects and vehicle/machinery operation
- Failure to provide safety equipment to employees working at the site, including harnesses, helmets, goggles, and steel-toed boots
- Failure to properly label, move, and store hazardous materials
- Failure to properly maintain machinery and replace faulty parts when necessary
- Failure to eliminate potential slip hazards on walkways and stairways, including oil, grease, mud, water, debris, and other substances
- Failure to provide employees with respirators to protect them from toxic materials like lead, asbestos, and chromium
- Lack of hearing protection for employees who are regularly exposed to excessive noise at the site
Among OSHA’s most frequently cited violations in the construction industry are falls, ladder accidents, scaffolding accidents, a lack of fall protection training, and a lack of face and eye protection. It is up to employers to locate and fix potential violations before an accident occurs. Unfortunately, construction companies sometimes neglect this responsibility, which can lead to preventable accidents.
Injuries Caused by Construction Site Defects
Safety hazards on a construction site can lead to accidents that, in turn, cause debilitating injuries. For instance, if employees don’t receive the safety harnesses they need to work from ladders or scaffolds, they are at risk of falling to the ground and being seriously hurt or even killed. Inexperienced workers who don’t receive the training they need to do their jobs safely are also more likely to suffer injuries in the workplace. And anyone who happens to be passing through an unsafe construction site is in danger as well.
Some of the most common injuries suffered in accidents caused by construction site defects include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Burns
- Electrocution
- Respiratory problems
- Hearing loss
- Vibration injuries (such as speech modulation and altered body movements)
- Crushing injuries
- Cuts, scrapes, and lacerations
- Broken and fractured bones
- Strains and sprains
- Penetrating wounds
- Internal injuries
- Accidental amputation
- Paralysis
If you suffer an injury or begin to notice symptoms of an illness that you believe is connected to a construction site defect or safety hazard, you should seek prompt medical care. If the injury is work-related, you may need to see a healthcare provider approved by your employer.
You should also report the injury to your employer right away. Under Texas workers’ compensation law, you have 30 days from the date you were injured or first became aware of your illness to notify your employer. If you fail to report in a timely manner, you might lose out on the benefits to which you’re entitled.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Construction Site Defects and Hazards?
In Texas, employers aren’t required by law to provide workers’ compensation benefits, though many do. If you are injured on the job by a site defect or hazard, and your employer provides workers’ comp, then you should be entitled to benefits regardless of who caused the accident. However, you generally won’t be able to sue your employer if they have workers’ comp insurance, even if they were technically responsible for the site defect.
If your employer does not offer workers’ compensation and their negligence contributed to your injuries, then you could hold them liable through a personal injury lawsuit. This is also true if you were injured by a negligent construction company or worker while simply passing by a job site.
Parties other than construction companies can also be liable for accidents. Equipment and machine manufacturers, third-party contractors, project managers, and other entities could all potentially be liable if their negligence factored into the accident. If your injuries were caused by someone other than your employer or a coworker, you could be eligible to seek financial relief through a personal injury lawsuit in addition to claiming workers’ compensation.
Compensation for Construction Accidents Caused by Site Defects
If you were injured due to a construction site defect while you were on the job, workers’ compensation should pay for your medical expenses and cover a portion of your lost wages if you have to take time off work during your recovery.
If someone other than your employer contributed to the site defect that caused you to be injured, then you could file a lawsuit to seek compensation for other losses, including pain and suffering and lost quality of life.
How Loewy Law Firm Can Help
Have you been injured due to a hazard or defect at a construction site in Austin? If so, Loewy Law Firm is ready to help. Attorney Adam Loewy has been a passionate advocate for injured Austinites for the last two decades. He has the skills and resources to conduct a thorough investigation of the accident, determine how the defect occurred, and identify all potential sources of compensation. He can then build a robust case on your behalf and work tirelessly in pursuit of the financial security you deserve.
Contact Loewy Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation.