Experienced Dothan Construction Accident Attorneys Aid Injured Clients

Did you get injured on a construction site?

Construction workers earn a living in one of the most dangerous industries. Every year, hundreds of construction fatalities are recorded across the United States. In 2019, the private construction industry reported more deaths than any other industry in Alabama. The Dothan construction accident attorneys of Carey & Hamner, P.C. help workers, visitors and pedestrians injured in falls, vehicle accidents and other construction site incidents. Our accomplished litigators represent clients hurt on projects in Houston, Dale and Henry counties, as well as the surrounding areas.

Most common causes of construction accidents

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) releases data on the most common causes of construction accidents. Problems that frequently lead to construction accidents include:

  • Unstable scaffolding and ladders
  • Unsafe electrical wiring
  • Vehicles operated by unqualified or inattentive workers
  • Objects left unsecured at elevated heights
  • Poor communication between workers
  • Failure to establish proper safety standards and practices

Falls, electrocutions, crush injuries and strikes from objects account for a large percentage of all construction accidents. Mistakes involving heavy machinery, such as a forklift accident, are also common, and sometimes are fatal.  Similarly truck fatalities are more frequent on worksites. 

Dothan construction accidents can cause serious injury or fatality

People hurt in construction accidents often suffer catastrophic injuries that require extensive and costly medical treatment. Common injuries sustained in construction site accidents include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Paralysis
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Nerve damage
  • Burns
  • Amputations
  • Fractures
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Loss of sight
  • Loss of hearing
  • Illness from chemical exposure

Our firm asserts the rights of victims to recoup compensation for relevant economic and noneconomic damages. We also help estate executors file wrongful death lawsuits after fatal construction accidents.

Preventing accidents and deaths

Most construction injuries and deaths are preventable. Basic actions a construction company may take to avoid tragedies include:

  • Follow all OSHA standards
  • Properly train all workers
  • Hold regular safety meetings
  • Provide appropriate safety equipment
  • Limit exposure to hazardous materials
  • Guard heavy machinery and make sure it is not accessible to untrained parties
  • Maintain and service equipment when needed
  • Ensure scaffolding and ladders are secure
  • Keep pathways clear of debris, vehicles and heavy objects

A third party (someone who does not work for the victim’s employer) who is responsible for maintaining safety standards on a worksite can be found negligent and liable for damages if their failure to uphold their duty of care results in a person’s injury or death. Our team has considerable experience convincing courts that negligence led to injury.

Collecting workers’ compensation or filing a construction accident lawsuit

If you are injured on a construction site during your job duties, you can file a workers’ compensation claim. To receive these benefits, including payment of medical bills, wage replacement for time out of work and job re-training, you do not need to prove your injury resulted from negligence. The amount you receive workers’ compensation benefits available to you will depend on the severity of your injury and the amount of time you are unable to work.  

As workers’ compensation does not fully replace lost income and does not compensate victims for noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering, some people chose to pursue third-party liability claims in personal injury lawsuits. You will only be able to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit if your injury resulted from negligence of a party other than your employer. Our workers’ compensation attorneys in Dothan can assess the circumstances of your accident and advise you on the types of payment that may be available to you.

Contact an accomplished Alabama construction accident attorney for a free consultation

The lawyers of Carey & Hamner, P.C. in Dothan, Alabama represent workers, visitors and bystanders injured in construction site accidents. To schedule a free consultation with a dedicated legal professional, call 855-435-4797 or contact us online.