Construction sites are dangerous places. When construction workers suffer injuries on the job, they generally file workers’ compensation claims. However, if a third party caused your injuries while you were working at a building site, you can file a personal injury claim against them and potentially obtain more comprehensive compensation. The most important step you can take in your situation is to contact a skilled West Jordan construction accident lawyer at Kramer Injury Law as soon as possible. Our personal injury attorneys have considerable experience in handling cases like yours.
What Should You Do if You Sustained Injuries?
If you suffered injuries at your construction job, you are barred from filing a personal injury claim against your employer. Instead, you can file a claim for workers’ compensation insurance, which your employer must carry.
When a Third Party Is Responsible
As our attorneys could tell you, third parties are sometimes responsible for accidents at West Jordan construction sites. In these circumstances, injured construction workers can file their claims with the at-fault party’s insurance provider and possibly receive more comprehensive compensation.
Your Covered Losses
You can seek coverage for the following losses in a personal injury claim against a negligent third party:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent disabilities
- Loss of enjoyment and quality of life
- Lost wages and future lost earning power
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
In a workers’ compensation claim, your compensation would be limited to your necessary and reasonable medical expenses and a percentage of your lost wages.
Common Third-Party Claims
While every third-party construction accident claim is specific to the unique circumstances involved, the responsible third parties in these claims are often similar.
A General Contractor or Subcontractor
Third parties can include a general contractor that hired the construction company you work for or a subcontractor that works for your employer. If you sustained injuries as a result of these parties’ negligence, you may have a solid personal injury claim.
Property Owners
If you suffered injuries while working at a property that belongs to a person or entity other than your employer, they can be held responsible for your losses. Property owners bear a considerable responsibility for maintaining reasonably safe premises. If they fall short of this requirement, legal liability can apply.
Equipment Manufacturers
You probably use heavy equipment at your construction job. If your accident resulted from a defective tool, machine, or vehicle, its manufacturer may be at fault. Our West Jordan attorneys could file a product liability claim on your behalf if the equipment that caused your construction accident was unreasonably dangerous because of a faulty design, manufacturing defect, or inadequate instructions or warnings.
Motorists
You can file a personal injury claim if your injuries resulted from another driver’s negligence in a traffic accident or from a work-related crash that a coworker’s or subcontractor’s negligence caused. You can also file a personal injury claim if a construction vehicle that was improperly loaded because of a third party’s negligence caused your injuries.
Call Our West Jordan Attorneys After a Construction Accident
If a third party injured you while you were doing construction work, accepting workers’ compensation to cover your losses is not your only option. A trusted West Jordan construction accident lawyer at Kramer Injury Law could assess all your options for compensation. We serve clients throughout Salt Lake County. Call us today to schedule a free consultation—and find out more about how we could help you.
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