Cincinnati Construction Accident Lawyer
To most construction workers, on-the-job injuries seem inevitable. Most workers know they can typically receive workers’ compensation when they are seriously injured on the job. But what many workers do not know is that, in certain cases, they may be entitled to more substantial compensation for their injuries.
If you or a loved one were injured on a construction site, you might have grounds for pursuing a construction accident claim. For over 31 years, the Cincinnati construction accident lawyers at Slater & Zurz have helped countless injured victims recover compensation for their losses. We know precisely what to look for when we thoroughly investigate a construction accident in order to determine what happened and identify who is responsible. We will then develop an effective course of action to pursue the compensation you deserve.
To learn more about how we can help, we welcome you to contact our office to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. In addition, we take our job site accident cases based on a contingency fee agreement, meaning you will owe us nothing unless we successfully recover damages on your behalf. So, you will not be asked to pay any retainers or other up-front fees.
Construction Accident Statistics
Despite advances in training, technology, and safety equipment, construction accidents are still a frequent occurrence. Workers face a high rate of severe, sometimes fatal injuries while on a job site. Below are some alarming construction accident statistics obtained by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
- There are roughly 150,000 construction accidents each year.
- About 20% of all work-related fatalities occur in the construction industry while the industry only makes up 6% of the U.S. workforce.
- One in ten construction workers sustain injuries every year.
- Falls account for one-third of all construction accident deaths.
- Injury rates are 70% higher for those working in construction than in other industries.
Construction Accident Injuries
Due to the dangerous nature of construction work, the risk of serious injury is high. Common injuries suffered by those working in the construction industry include the following:
- Lacerations and bruising
- Fractured or broken bones
- Burns from chemicals, fire, or explosions
- Eye injuries/blindness
- Crushed body parts
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neurological damage
- Internal organ damage
- Injuries caused by exposure to toxic chemicals
Common Causes of Cincinnati Construction Accidents
Construction accidents can be caused by numerous factors. While just about anything can contribute to a job site injury, below are some of the most common.
- Slip and fall accidents.
- Electrocution
- Fires and explosions
- Exposure to hazardous materials
- Forklift accidents
- Stairs or scaffolding collapses
- Crane accidents
- Falling debris or equipment
- Trench or ground collapses
- Elevator shaft accidents
- Caught-between accidents
Options Available to Injured Construction Workers in Ohio
When you sustain an injury on a job site, you are left to deal with much more than your recovery. Your medical bills will quickly begin to mount, and you may need to take a substantial amount of time off from work due to your injuries. If you are unable to fully recover, you may have to switch to a less physically demanding profession or be unable to return to work at all. So, how do you recover from your losses? In Ohio, injured worker has two options for obtaining their much-needed compensation.
Workers’ Compensation
Ohio law requires all businesses to carry workers’ compensation insurance. The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) helps injured workers cope with the aftermath caused by their injuries. If you are injured on the job, The BWC will cover your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages. If you are unable to return to work due to a temporary or permanent disability, they will also provide you with disability benefits.
Ohio operates a no-fault workers’ comp system. This means that you can receive benefits regardless of who was at fault for your injuries. Because injured workers can typically receive benefits through Ohio’s no-fault system, it is difficult for an employee to sue their employer in a civil case. However, if a third party caused your injuries, you may be able to pursue additional compensation by initiating a third-party claim.
Third-Party Claims
In some job site accidents, someone other than your employer is responsible for your injuries. For example, third-party workplace injuries can be caused by a subcontractor on the same site or by using defective construction equipment. If your injuries were the result of a negligent third party, you might be able to file a third-party claim – in addition to filing an Ohio workers’ compensation claim. In a third-party construction accident claim, you can pursue compensation beyond your medical expenses and lost wages.
Third-party claims are essentially the same as a personal injury claims. You and your attorney will need to prove the third party was negligent and that their negligence caused your injuries. Because the element of negligence arises in a third-party construction accident lawsuit, they are generally more complex than a workers’ compensation claim. However, our qualified third-party construction injury claim attorneys have extensive experience handling these cases. We know how to investigate a workplace accident to identify all responsible parties and will use an effective strategy to prove negligence and obtain maximum recovery on your behalf.
In Ohio, all employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, some employers don’t abide by the law and do not pay into the state fund. When this is the case, you still have the right to sue your employer for damages or make a claim through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s uninsured employer fund.
Consult with a Cincinnati Construction Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a construction site accident, Slater & Zurz can help. We will guide you through the process of filing or appealing an Ohio workers’ compensation claim and work to ensure you receive the full amount of benefits you are entitled to. When a third party causes your construction accident injuries, we will work to hold them responsible and recover damages on your behalf. And if you tragically lost a loved one in a construction accident, we will help you pursue justice on their behalf in a wrongful death case.
When working in the construction industry, you should be able to go to work knowing your employer, and others have taken the proper measures to ensure your safety while on the job. When they fail to provide safe working conditions on the job site, our Cincinnati personal injury attorneys will make sure they are held accountable. To schedule your free, no-obligation consultation, call Slater & Zurz at (513)496-3331 or contact us online. We are here to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.