Toledo Construction Accident Lawyer
Although most construction companies, site owners, and other third parties go to great lengths to ensure the safety of those on or near construction sites, others don’t do enough. Potential hazards, such as explosives, falling debris, toxic chemicals, and defective machinery, pose serious threats to employees and members of the public.
If you were injured while on or near a construction site, we strongly recommend speaking to an experienced construction accident attorney in Toledo. Most injured employees know they are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, many are unaware they may also be able to recover damages in a third-party construction accident lawsuit. To learn if you may be eligible to receive additional financial compensation for your injuries, arrange a FREE consultation with one of our skilled construction accident lawyers.
The Slater & Zurz team has over 100 years of combined experience helping injured victims and their families secure their entitled compensation from negligent parties. Our team is passionate in our pursuit of justice and works relentlessly to right the wrong our clients were left to endure. Our attorneys take our clients’ unjust experiences personally and utilize all available strategies and resources to get them the result they need and deserve.
Major Causes of Ohio Construction Accidents
Construction workers face the threat of serious injury constantly while on the job. Even the most careful employees can quickly become victims of a wide range of job site accidents, such as:
Falling Objects and Debris
Workers and bystanders can suffer traumatic, sometimes fatal injuries when hit by falling objects, equipment, and debris.
Slip and Falls
According to OSHA, falls account for nearly one-third of all job site accidents. Uneven surfaces, debris, poor lighting, wet or oily floors, and electrical cords cause workers and others to trip or slip, causing serious injuries.
Fires and Explosions
Conditions across construction sites can lead to fires and explosions. Improper handling of flammable materials exposed wiring, gas leaks, and improper use of equipment are frequent contributors to these types of job site accidents.
Toxic Chemical Exposure
Exposure to hazardous chemicals can lead to serious, sometimes irreparable damage to a person’s lungs, eyes, skin, nerves, brain, and internal organs.
Stair, Ladder, Platforms, and Scaffolding Collapses
Poorly constructed stairs, ladders, platforms, and scaffolding can easily collapse, causing workers to fall from significant heights. Broken bones, internal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries often result from these construction accidents.
Trench and Ground Collapses
Workers can be suffocated or crushed when a trench or unstable ground gives way and buries the worker under heavy dirt and debris.
Caught-In and Caught-Between Accidents
Construction workers can be crushed between two objects, causing severe, even fatal, injuries. These accidents commonly occur when workers are in close proximity to heavy machinery.
Electrocution
Nearly 10% of construction accidents involve electrocution. These accidents occur when a worker comes in contact with exposed wiring, transformers, overhead power lines, or operates faulty power tools and machinery.
Demolition Accidents and Building Collapses
These accidents can crush construction workers under heavy objects and cause internal injuries, broken bones, brain and spinal cord injuries, and suffocation.
Equipment-Related Accidents
Workers are exposed to significant injury when in or around heavy machineries, such as forklifts, cranes, bulldozers, excavators, and dump trucks.
Liability in Construction Accident Claims
Workers’ compensation is available to injured employees to supplement their lost income and cover their medical expenses. In most cases, accepting workers’ comp benefits absolves the employer of further liability. Therefore, the employee gives up their right to pursue financial compensation for their construction accident injuries and associated losses.
However, if a third party’s negligence caused your injuries, you have the right to seek compensation in a third-party personal injury lawsuit. Some examples of third-party liability cases include a product liability claim against the manufacturer of a defective tool or a premises liability claim against the property owner or manager for failing to keep the site free of hazardous conditions on the property. Damages pursued in a third-party claim are in addition to the benefits you receive through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Third parties often involved in a construction accident lawsuit include:
- Property owners
- Engineers
- Subcontractors
- Contractors
- Suppliers
- Delivery drivers
- Equipment manufacturers
Available Damages in Jobsite Accident Injury Cases
If you suffer injuries on or near a construction site, it could have devastating and lingering effects on you and your family – physically, emotionally, and financially. Although you are likely getting some financial relief from your workers’ compensation benefits, you may be entitled to additional compensation. If a third party’s negligence caused your construction site accident, you might be entitled to some or all of the following damages:
- Medical care not covered by your workers’ comp benefits
- Rehabilitation, occupational, and physical therapy
- Assistive care
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Psychological care
- Emotional trauma
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Wrongful death damages (if your loved one died from their injuries)
In Ohio, an injured victim has only one year to file a workers’ compensation claim and only two years to file a third-party personal injury lawsuit. To find out more about your available compensation, contact the experienced legal team at Slater & Zurz.
Skilled Legal Representation by an Experienced Jobsite Injury Lawyer in Toledo
If you were injured while on a job site, you are likely struggling to recover from injuries while worrying about how to pay for your medical bills while you are unable to work. Well, our attorneys are here to help through this difficult time. We understand how to get to the cause of your accident and identify who is responsible. Our qualified legal team will conduct a thorough investigation and work with trusted experts in the construction industry to show what happened and who should be held liable for your damages. Our attorneys also work with a team of medical and financial professionals to adequately assess your current and future losses to ensure you receive total compensation. We will negotiate skillfully on your behalf to secure a settlement. However, if negotiations do not result in an acceptable offer, we will not hesitate to advocate for full recovery on your behalf in court skillfully.
Consult with a Toledo Construction Accident Injury Lawyer
Coping with your injuries and a loss of income is a frightening and stressful experience. But knowing your situation could have been prevented if the responsible party had taken the necessary precautions and care can leave you feeling incredibly frustrated and angry. We understand what you and your family are going through and want to help you in any way we can.
Our personal injury attorneys in Toledo will advocate aggressively to secure full and fair compensation for your losses and be there to ensure you receive adequate medical care so you can heal as fully as possible. We will give you and your family our thoughtful support and guidance throughout the entire process and continue to be there as long as you need us.
Call (419) 658-7171 to arrange your FREE, no-obligation consultation to learn more about your legal options following a construction accident injury. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to take your call.