Construction jobs pose an extremely high risk of injury due to the use of heavy machinery, often at dangerous heights. Even when construction companies and their workers seem to be following proper safety regulations, mistakes can happen, machinery can fail and unexpected accidents can occur.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a construction accident, it may be in your best interest to seek legal help right away.
At Galloway Jefcoat, our experienced Lafayette Personal Injury Lawyers have been representing Louisiana’s injured victims for 25-plus years. During that time, we have secured millions in compensation for our clients. We have the resources and staff to fully investigate the events that led to your accident, and we are prepared to protect your legal rights.
Galloway Jefcoat. Turning Wrong into Right.
337-984-8020
Do I Have a Valid Construction Accident Case?
Every construction accident is different, and there are always contributing factors that can impact whether there is a claim. The good news is that we offer a completely free case review. These free initial consultations are an excellent opportunity to get answers to your legal questions and find out if you may have a case.
Prior to discussing your case with one of our licensed attorneys, however, we will need you to gather more information about what happened, such as:
- Company/employer
- Site supervisor name and contact details
- Date of the accident, as well as the location
- What you were doing prior to the accident
- Equipment or machinery you were using
- Equipment or machinery others were using near you
- Working conditions on the day/date of your accident
- Whether any safety conditions existed – Were you using proper gear? Did any machinery fail?
- Did your employer have any prior citations for safety violations?
What makes construction accident cases so challenging is that the victim has the burden of proving negligence. This means establishing another party owed you a duty of care and violated that duty of care, causing you harm. You must also have sustained real damages, such as medical costs and lost wages. If there is no negligence, there is no case.
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How Much Could My Construction Accident Claim Be Worth?
The value of an injury case is based on many different factors, including the severity and type of injuries you sustained, as well as the length of your recovery. There are various factors that impact the value of a construction accident claim. For instance, surgery could add significant value to your overall claim. If you are unable to go back to your chosen career or if you are unable to work at all, that can also have a serious impact on the outcome of your claim.
Additionally, there are different types of claims an injured construction site worker and his or her family may be able to pursue, including:
- Workers’ Compensation: In Louisiana, you may be eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim for your damages. The benefit of going this route is that you do not have to prove negligence. However, you cannot recover as many types of compensation in a workers’ comp claim as you can in a personal injury lawsuit.
- Personal Injury Lawsuit: If you have a valid personal injury claim for your construction accident injuries, it is vital that you seek legal help right away. At just one year from the date of your injury, Louisiana has one of the shortest statutes of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Delaying could cause you to miss this filing deadline and you could be barred from any recovery. Even just waiting too long to call an attorney could make it hard to secure legal representation as your attorney needs time to prepare your case.
- Wrongful Death Claim: If someone dies in a construction accident, family members may be eligible to seek financial relief to help cover things like funeral costs, emotional distress, lost wages and other damages.
"Galloway Jefcoat are amazing professionals who are very client focused. They will guide you thru all the details to help get your litigation solved. I was involved in a crash that ultimate required a knee replacement"
Who May Be Liable for My Damages After a Construction Accident?
There are multiple parties who could be liable for losses resulting from a construction accident. This is why there will need to be a full investigation. Most often, liability tends to fall to one or more of these parties:
- Construction Site Owner: Any known hazards on a construction site must be mitigated. If a site owner knew or should have known about a hazard, he or she can be held liable for any damages resulting from an accident.
- Contractors and/or Subcontractors: In addition to carefully adhering to state and federal safety regulations, contractors and/or subcontractors must follow proper hiring practices and make sure their employees have the skills, experience and training.
- Manufacturers: Equipment supplied by manufacturers may sometimes have a defect or design flaw. If a defect causes harm to other workers, then the manufacturer could be held liable for the damages.
- Equipment Suppliers: Companies that supply equipment can also be held liable if they knowingly provided equipment or machinery that was defective.
- Engineers and/or Architects: If engineers or architects knew or should have known about a design flaw and that defect contributed to the accident, they could be liable for damages.
"As a client of Galloway Jefcoat for over two years I want to take a minute to say how much I appreciate the team handling my case."
What Are the Most Common Construction Site Violations?
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violations can cause serious, life-altering injuries. Some of the most common construction site violations include:
- Fall protection: OSHA requires proper fall protection, including treading, floor hole covers, safety nets, harnesses, railings and more. These protections are required under OSHA regulations. They also help to prevent deaths and injuries due to the multiple types of fall hazards that may exist on a construction site. Falls on construction sites are one of the “fatal four” construction injury accidents.
- Scaffolding injuries: Construction workers often need to work at dangerous heights. Scaffolding is used to protect these workers. Unfortunately, many injuries occur due to scaffolding giving way, workers getting hit by a falling object, or if a worker slips and falls from the scaffolding.
- Falling from ladders: Construction workers falling from ladders is one of the most common types of accidents, including fatal falls, that occur on a work site. Ladders can be a serious fall hazard for workers if OSHA regulations are not strictly followed and enforced.
- Electrocution: This is another of the fatal four causes of construction site injuries. Workers have a higher-than-average risk of electrocution on the job as they often work near live wires.
- Machinery: The use of machinery on a construction site can lead to all sorts of injuries, including severed fingers, hands and limbs, equipment burns, and severe lacerations. These injuries may occur as the result of a defect in the equipment or by inexperienced workers who have not been properly trained on how to use the machinery. Injuries and fatalities can also occur if proper safety regulations are not followed.
- Struck by falling object: Workers getting hit by a falling object is another leading cause of fatal accidents on a construction site.
- Caught in between heavy objects or machinery: This is one of fatal four injuries on construction sites. These injuries often occur when a worker gets caught in between heavy machinery or other heavy objects on a construction site. This type of accident can lead to life-threatening crush injuries, loss of limbs and loss of life.
"Great experience, from day 1 I felt like I finally had someone on my side and that feeling didn't leave me for 1 single moment."
What Steps Should You Take After a Construction Accident?
If you have been involved in a construction accident in Louisiana, there are critical steps to take to protect your rights and build a strong case:
- Seek immediate medical care: Your health should be your top priority. Some injuries may be internal, which means symptoms could be delayed. Waiting to seek medical care could put your health or even your life at serious risk. You also need medical records to help link your injuries to the accident.
- Notify the authorities: Contact the local police or law enforcement to report the accident. They will create an official accident report, which can be valuable in documenting the incident.
- Gather evidence: If you can safely do so, collect evidence at the scene. Take photographs of your injuries, any construction equipment, and the surrounding area where the incident occurred. Gather witness contact information if possible.
- Preserve all records: Keep a record of all medical records, bills, and expenses related to your injuries. These records should also include documentation of doctor appointments, medications, rehabilitation costs, and more.
- Avoid making statements: Be extremely cautious about what you say to insurance companies. Do not admit fault or discuss the accident in detail without consulting with a construction accident lawyer.
- Consult a construction accident lawyer: We strongly recommend seeking legal help from a knowledgeable construction accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Galloway Jefcoat. Experienced. Local. Lawyers.
337-984-8020
How Can a Construction Accident Lawyer Assist You With Your Claim?
A construction accident lawyer brings a range of skills and expertise to your case. At Galloway Jefcoat, we are committed to helping you navigate the complex legal system following a construction accident.
We are prepared to help you with your:
- Accident investigation: We are prepared to fully investigate your accident to determine the cause and identify potentially liable parties. Galloway Jefcoat has a firm investigator on staff to help us thoroughly evaluate what happened.
- Evidence collection: We can gather and preserve crucial evidence, such as accident reports, medical records, witness statements, and photographs, to build a strong case on your behalf.
- Settlement negotiation: Our construction accident lawyers are skilled negotiators. We are prepared to engage with insurance companies to secure the maximum possible compensation on your behalf. We strive to recover full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
- Court representation: If it is not possible to reach a settlement through negotiation, we are prepared to take your case to court. We can represent you in legal proceedings and present a compelling case to a judge and jury.
At Galloway Jefcoat, we have been representing injured victims for decades and recovered millions in compensation on behalf of our clients.
What Compensation Can You Receive in a Construction Accident Case?
In a construction accident case, you may be eligible for various forms of compensation, including:
- Emergency transportation, such as by ambulance
- Emergency room costs
- Diagnostic testing
- Surgical intervention
- Physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Future earnings
- Mobility assistive devices, such as prosthetics, wheelchairs, etc.
- And more
What Construction Site Safety Regulations Does Louisiana Require?
Unlike many other states across the U.S., Louisiana does not have its own construction safety regulations. Instead, it adheres to federal OSHA regulations, which include rules about things like:
- Proper use of machinery and other equipment
- Ensuring protection from construction site hazards
- Providing treads for workers in areas where there is a slip and fall hazard
- Proper positioning of scaffolding away from electrical power lines and other hazards
- Safety gear that must be worn on the construction site
- Enforcing use of safety equipment
Contact a Lafayette Construction Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident in Louisiana, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
At Galloway Jefcoat, we have the experience and knowledge to guide you through the legal process, and we are prepared to work tirelessly to protect your rights.
Rusty Galloway has handled thousands of personal injury claims, and our firm has a proven history of results – we have recovered millions in compensation for our clients.
When you have legal questions, we have answers. Call Galloway Jefcoat today.
337-984-8020
Call our law offices in Lafayette to set up a free initial consultation. Our office is located on 1925 Dulles Drive in Lafayette, which is only a few minutes north of Acadiana High School.
Galloway Jefcoat. Experienced Lawyers turning wrong into right. Call:
337-984-8020.
"Galloway Jefcoat helped me at a time when I felt lost and taken advantage of by my employer."
