The most common accident on construction sites is falling. Falling is also cited as one of the most dangerous construction accidents, and falling from a height increases the risk involved.
If you sustained injuries in a West Jordan construction site fall from heights accident, our skilled lawyers are available to guide you. Consult with our experienced construction injury attorneys at Kramer Injury Law today for assistance. We proudly serve clients in the area and throughout Salt Lake County.
Falling From a Height
Falls from heights frequently result in severe injuries. This is why falls are at the top of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s fatal four list. When construction companies or other parties fail to take the necessary precautions, falls from heights become more likely. Examples of possible precautions include:
- Lifelines
- Safety nets
- Sturdy guardrails
- Full-body harnesses
- Well-secured ladders and scaffolding
If, despite your employer taking these precautions, you sustained injuries in a fall from height on a West Jordan construction site, a knowledgeable lawyer could assist you with identifying whether a third party was negligent and, if so, seeking compensation.
Fall-Related Injuries
Falls from heights can result in severe injuries. We often see cases involving:
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Limb loss or injuries that require amputation
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
Any one of these injuries can prove life-altering. If you were injured in a fall from a high surface at a construction site, a West Jordan attorney could review your case and advise you on the best way forward.
What Compensation is Available?
Generally, work-related injuries are covered by workers’ compensation. However, these benefits only cover a fraction of your losses, and the system prohibits you from filing a lawsuit to seek additional compensation from your employer in most situations. The good news is that the law does not prevent you from seeking compensation from negligent third parties unaffiliated with your employer.
Our attorneys review potential third-party claims for construction workers injured in falls from heights at job sites in West Jordan.
How Third-Party Personal Injury Claims Work
It is important to explore whether construction workers can file personal injury claims against third parties. This involves identifying when a party’s negligence led to the fall from heights.
Liability
Potentially liable parties can include contractors or subcontractors not affiliated with your employer, manufacturers of defective safety equipment that failed, and property owners or occupiers who allowed unsafe conditions. In some cases, coworkers who acted intentionally to cause the fall may also be responsible, though you cannot sue coworkers for mere negligence.
Further, any employers of subcontractors or others on the construction site might be liable under the legal principle of respondeat superior.
Personal Injury vs. Workers’ Compensation
In a personal injury claim, you can pursue compensation for all your medical bills, 100 percent of your lost income, and the physical and emotional pain and suffering you have experienced. Any permanent disabilities or disfigurement are compensable, as well. This is far more comprehensive financial recovery than a workers’ compensation claim can provide.
Our attorneys know how to prove a third party’s negligence with solid evidence, as well as calculate the full value of your economic and non-economic losses. Further, we handle insurance claims seeking compensation. These claims are often adversarial, requiring you to prove a policyholder’s fault, while workers’ comp is a no-fault system.
You want a lawyer experienced in third-party construction accident claims to handle your case if you were injured in a fall from heights at a construction site in West Jordan. In the event an insurance claim is unsuccessful, we can file a personal injury lawsuit against the third party.
Contact a West Jordan Lawyer After a Construction Site Fall from Heights
If you or someone you care about sustained injuries in a West Jordan construction site fall from heights accident, our trusted attorneys at Kramer Injury Law have the legal skill and insight to help. We work hard to secure the compensation our clients deserve. For more information about what we could do to help, please contact us online or give us a call today.
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