Dallas Construction Accident Attorneys
Even with the implementation of new safety regulations by both the state and federal governments, the construction industry is still a hotbed for accidents resulting in serious injury—and even death. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 971 workers lost their lives due to construction accidents in 2017 alone. According to EHS today, in the decade between 2002 and 2012 nearly 20% of all work related deaths happened on construction sites. Construction equipment typically requires that workers use their heads, arms, legs, hands, and feet to operate the equipment, which can cause serious injuries to those parts of the body. The 4 most common causes of construction site death or injury involve falling off of something, getting caught between things, being struck by moving objects, and electrocution.
If you are a Texan who has been injured in a construction accident in Dallas, it’s important to secure competent legal representation to ensure that your legal rights are protected. The Dallas personal injury attorneys at The Barber Law Firm are standing by to help victims of construction accidents recover the costs associated with medical bills and lost wages.
The Construction Industry Continues to Expand in Dallas
Unfortunately, the prevalence of construction jobs means that accidents on the job are inevitable–for many construction sites, accidents aren’t a matter of if, but when. Although it’s impossible to create a full list of all of the types of construction accidents that can occur, some are more common than others.
Common Construction Accidents Include:
- Crane accidents
- Chemical exposure
- Accidents resulting from compressed gas
- Accidents occurring in confined spaces
- Defective and dangerous machinery accidents
- Electrocution accidents
- Equipment-related accidents
- Excavation accidents
- Explosions
- Mechanical risks due to machinery components
- Nail gun accidents
- Overexertion accidents
- Slip, trip and fall accidents
- Structure collapsing accidents
- Transportation accidents
- Trenching accidents
- Welding accidents
Expenses associated with medical care to treat a construction accident victim’s injuries and compensate the victim for his or her lost wages can generally be recovered through the employer’s Worker’s Compensation insurance policy, which is briefly discussed below. However, it’s important to consult with an accident lawyer to discuss options for further compensation from the contractor or property owner.
A CLOSER LOOK AT OSHA
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration–more commonly known by its acronym, OSHA–was created by Congress in 1970. The agency’s main objective is to ensure safe conditions for men and women at work. This is accomplished by setting and enforcing safety standards.
OSHA Standards for Construction
When it comes to workplace injuries, falling from an elevated location can cause serious injury or even death. OSHA attempts to provide for the safety of workers by requiring fall protection when a person is working at an elevation of 6 feet or more above ground level. Similar standards exist for those who are working on scaffolding or ladders. Other OSHA standards include wearing protective gear for the face, eyes, head, hands and feet.
Enforcing OSHA Construction Standards
It’s not enough that standards have been established at a congressional level–in order for their construction worker’s safety to be a priority for employers, these standards must be enforced. To ensure that employers are complying with the agency’s standards and doing everything in their realm to ensure the safety of construction workers, OSHA performs on-site inspections of construction zones and penalizes employers who refuse to comply with OSHA’s standards. These penalties aren’t anything to scoff at–the fines for failing to comply can be in the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars per violation.
WHAT COMPENSATION COULD I RECOVER AFTER A CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT?
After a construction accident, a worker can quickly find themselves in personal chaos. Injuries suffered from the accident can change a person’s life forever, and the medical expenses incurred from treating these injuries coupled with a sudden inability to work, can quickly turn a person’s financial stability upside down.
There is hope, however–if you’re suffering from injuries sustained in a construction accident, you may be able to recover financial compensation–otherwise known as “damages”–to help alleviate the financial burden of your accident.
Economic Damages
After a construction accident, there are several losses that you can suffer which are relatively easy to quantify. These are called “economic damages”, and are recoverable in a construction accident claim. Common examples of economic damages include:
- Medical bills such as hospital stays, surgical expenses, and costs of physical and occupational rehabilitation
- Additional medical costs such as prescription medication, medical equipment such as a walker or wheelchair, and the cost of long-term care if you are left permanently disabled;
- Income that you missed out on as a result of being unable to work after your accident; and
- Lost earning capacity if you are permanently disabled and unable to return to work.
Non-Economic Damages
If you’re dealing with the aftermath of a construction accident, you already know that the damages you’ve suffered extend far beyond a purely financial level. After your accident, your personal life may have turned upside down and no dollar amount can undo the physical pain and mental trauma that you may be suffering after your accident.
Although it’s impossible to place a monetary value on the physical pain and emotional anguish you may be suffering, such as depression and anxiety, a construction accident case can still provide financial compensation for these losses. While this compensation may not take away the pain that you are feeling, it can provide the financial stability you need to focus on all aspects of your recovery.
AN OVERVIEW OF WORKERS COMPENSATION IN DALLAS
Nearly any construction accident will fall under the purview of an employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. Nearly every employer in Dallas is required to carry this form of insurance, which covers job related accidents. When it comes to recovering financial compensation for a construction accident, workers’ compensation insurance may provide an injured worker with compensation that could not have been obtained from a personal injury claim since work comp insurance does not seek to establish fault.
If you have been injured in a construction accident, it’s important to speak with an attorney who is familiar with both personal injury claims and workers’ compensation insurance, as the two ways to recover compensation differ in many ways. At The Barber Law Firm, our team of construction accident attorneys has the knowledge and experience you need to get the most out of your construction accident claim.
CONTACT AN EXPERIENCED CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT ATTORNEY TODAY
If you are suffering the aftermath of a construction accident in Dallas-Fort Worth or a surrounding area, the team of construction accident and personal injury lawyers at The Barber Law Firm are standing by to discuss your accident and your legal rights. Our Dallas personal injury attorneys offer 100% free legal consultations, so you have nothing to lose by speaking with one of our lawyers about your construction accident case. If you are concerned about how you can afford to pay for legal representation, don’t worry one second longer–our team of personal injury attorneys take on construction accident cases on a contingency basis, meaning we don’t get paid a dime unless we win your case. Our firm works with construction accident victims throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area and the entire state of Texas. Contact The Barber Law Firm at 972-231-5800 or fill out our online case evaluation form to learn about your rights following a construction accident.
