Construction Accidents

The construction environment is a dangerous place to work and navigate. Construction sites are dynamic job sites, fraught with heavy machinery, trenches, scaffolding, high-voltage lines, and other concealed hazards. They’re also filled with workers from different trades and skill levels, often working under tight deadlines and difficult conditions. 

Unfortunately, this environment is where some of the most catastrophic and life-changing injuries occur. To make matters worse, laws such as worker’s compensation statutes and statutory employer provisions can seriously limit a victim or their family’s ability to seek fair compensation through the civil justice system. 

At Silverman Thompson, our attorneys have decades of experience navigating the legal, regulatory, and contractual complexities involved in construction injury cases. 

Common Construction Injury Cases We Handle 

At Silverman Thompson, we have handled numerous complex construction injury cases over the past 40 years, including: 

• Jobsite falls resulting in death or disabling injury 

• Forklift accidents and heavy equipment collisions 

• Highway worker fatalities in active traffic zones 

• Trench falls and collapses, often due to inadequate shoring and sloping 

• Electrical explosions and high-voltage injuries 

• Crane accidents involving tip-overs, dropped loads, and operator error 

We understand how to identify responsible parties beyond the employer, such as general contractors, site owners, equipment suppliers, and other negligent third parties, which can be essential in states where worker’s compensation may bar lawsuits against direct employers. 

The Role of OSHA in Construction Site Safety 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plays a crucial role in setting and enforcing safety standards at construction sites. OSHA regulations cover everything from fall protection and electrical safety to trenching and excavation protocols. 

When a serious injury occurs on a jobsite, one of the first things our attorneys investigate is whether there were OSHA violations contributing to the accident. Violations of OSHA standards can serve as powerful evidence of negligence in certain cases, particularly where third-party contractors, property owners, or equipment manufacturers are involved. 

Some of the most frequently cited OSHA violations on construction sites include: 

• Inadequate fall protection 

• Improper scaffolding construction 

• Unsafe ladder use 

• Trenching and excavation hazards 

• Electrical wiring methods violations 

• Failure to provide proper personal protective equipment (PPE) 

An OSHA investigation, while separate from any personal injury claim, often uncovers critical facts that can support a civil lawsuit. 

General Contractor and Subcontractor Responsibilities 

Construction projects typically involve multiple layers of contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and property owners. Each party may have different safety obligations under both OSHA regulations and the terms of their contracts. 

General contractors are typically responsible for the overall safety of the jobsite and for ensuring that all subcontractors follow applicable safety standards. However, subcontractors also have independent responsibilities to protect their employees and others on the jobsite. 

When an injury occurs, liability may be shared among several parties, depending on factors such as: 

• Who controlled the area where the accident happened 

• Who supplied the equipment involved 

• Whether safety violations were ignored or left uncorrected 

• The terms of construction contracts, indemnification clauses, and insurance requirements 

Navigating these overlapping responsibilities often requires careful legal analysis and aggressive investigation. 

Protecting the Rights of Injured Construction Workers 

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a construction site accident, you may have rights beyond a worker’s compensation claim. At Silverman Thompson, we have the resources and trial experience necessary to hold negligent contractors, subcontractors, property owners, and manufacturers accountable. 

Our attorneys are skilled in working with construction safety experts, OSHA investigators, and industry professionals to build strong cases. We also have a proven record of success in overcoming the contractual and statutory hurdles that often complicate these claims. 

Contact us today for a free consultation. 

Significant Construction Accident Results 

• $3,000,000 – Construction worker death (fall from height) 

• $1,600,000 – Construction worker injury 

• $750,000 – Construction worker injury (pedestrian struck by forklift) 

• $400,000 – Bystander fall into an open trench 

• $400,000 – Construction worker injury from a cement pump explosion  

Contact Our Construction Accident Attorneys 

Do you have a construction accident or personal injury case you’d like to discuss with our team? Call us toll-free at 800.385.2243 for a complimentary consultation.