Baltimore Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
Helping Injured Construction Site Workers Claim Compensation
One in five worker deaths in the U.S. are in construction, making it one of the most dangerous jobs in America. Construction workers come from a wide variety of occupations including carpenters, masons, electricians, plumbers, structural iron and steel workers, home builders and painters, just to name a few. Tragically, thousands of these workers are seriously hurt or killed in construction site accidents every year. Though construction areas are known for being inherently dangerous places, the reality is that many construction accidents could be prevented with proper attention to safety regulations, equipment maintenance and employee training.
Dangers on Construction Sites
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified four leading construction site hazards. These “Fatal Four” account for more than half of construction worker fatalities in the U.S. They are:
- Falls – Year after year, close to 40% of fatal construction accidents are the result of a fall. Common fall accidents include falls from scaffolding, falls from ladders, falls down elevator shafts and falls from the same or higher level.
- Electrocution – The consequences of an electrical shock range from mild pain to severe burns and cardiac arrest that can lead to immediate death. Electrical hazards include defective tools and machinery; improperly installed outlets and wiring; and overhead or underground power lines.
- Struck by object – Workers can be seriously hurt or killed by flying, falling, swinging or rolling objects on construction sites. Potential hazards including swinging cranes, falling bricks or debris and nail gun mishaps.
- Caught-in/between – Injuries that occur when a worker is caught in or is pinned by equipment are often catastrophic. Such injuries are likely to involve crushed or broken bones, damage to internal organs and traumatic brain injury. Those working in demolition, on excavation sites or near machinery that has unguarded moving parts are most at risk for this type of accident.
Other common construction site hazards include:
- Building collapses and structural failures
- Exposure to toxic substances
- Forklift accidents
- Crane accidents
- Construction site motor vehicle accidents
- Explosions
- Shipyard accidents
- Hearing loss
- Lifting injuries
- Respiratory illnesses
- Repetitive stress injuries
Getting Compensation for a Construction-Related Injury
Under Maryland Workers’ Compensation law, if you are hurt on the job, you are entitled to receive income for lost wages, medical expenses and payment for any permanent disability that arises from your injury. You do not have to prove any negligence on the part of your employer in order to receive these benefits. However, you may find that the money paid to you through Workers’ Compensation does not come close to addressing the full financial impact of your work-related injury.
In some cases, it may be possible to recover additional compensation by filing a third party liability claim. To be successful, you will have to prove that negligence on the part of someone other than your employer contributed to the accident. Examples of third parties whose careless actions can affect construction site safety include: general contractors; subcontractors; construction managers; inspectors; property site owners; engineers; and architects. If the accident and subsequent injury was caused by defective equipment, it may be possible to bring a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturers, designers or retailers of the defective part.
How an Experienced Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help
Construction accident claims can be extremely complicated because of the numerous parties that may be involved. Even if you know or believe you know who was a fault for the accident, proving liability and recovering sufficient compensation can be a long and difficult process without the right help. For this reason, it is critical to hire a work injury lawyer with extensive experience handling both Workers’ Compensation cases and third party negligence claims.
Baltimore construction accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton understand the unique aspects of construction accident cases and how to handle insurance companies who only want to deny you the compensation you deserve. In addition to assisting you with your Workers’ Compensation claim, we will thoroughly investigate the circumstances that led to your accident in order to identify any third parties that may be responsible. We work hard to present the facts of your case in a manner that will demonstrate the true nature, severity and cause of your injury.
Baltimore Construction Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Successfully Pursue Workers’ Compensation Benefits and Third Party Claims for Injured Construction Workers and Their Families
If you have been injured or suffered the wrongful death of a loved one in a construction accident, contact the law offices of LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton today to discuss your legal options. Our Baltimore Workers’ Compensation lawyers have more than 30 years experience helping injured workers and their families recover maximum compensation following a workplace accident. Call 844-556-4LAW (4529) today to schedule a free evaluation of your case or contact us online.
