Statistics show that being a construction worker is one of the most dangerous occupations in America. Each year, thousands of workers are injured on construction sites, with the vast majority attributable to falls, electrocutions, being struck by an object or getting crushed between objects or equipment.
Workers who are injured or killed on job sites may have recourse to seek damages for their injuries in the form of workers’ compensation actions against several possible parties.
Unfortunately, the bigger the project is, the more complicated a claim is liable to be. Retaining an experienced construction accident lawyer is vital to assist a victim in sorting through the myriad of issues related to such a claim.
The lawyer will need to prove negligence or that an unsafe working environment existed and then determine who is at fault for that. This may sound easy on the surface, but in reality on a large job site, several parties can be held accountable.
The owners of the property
if the job site is not safe and the workers were not notified of that fact, owners may bear some responsibility.
General contractor
If the property owner cedes control of the job site over to the general contractor, then the liability may fall to the general contractor to make sure all safety rules and regulations are enforced.
Sub-contractors
In some instances, specialty subcontractors, such as electricians, plumbers or ironworkers may create an unsafe environment for their particular part of the job, steering them into the path of a liability action.
Engineers
Civil engineers who make errors in planning and designing the project run the risk of being held accountable. The same applies to architects who actively design commercial structures.
Equipment manufacturers
From large machinery such as cranes to smaller equipment, there are many documented instances where suits have been brought against manufacturers for defective and faulty equipment.
Because there are so many parties involved with construction accident suits, it is easy to see why these types of cases can drag on for years. Retaining a top flight attorney can alleviate much of the ongoing burden.
Choulos, Choulos & Wyle proudly serve clients in San Francisco, Oakland and in cities throughout the Bay Area.
