Although construction is a vital sector for the economy of the United States, it is also very hazardous. Whether it is a major commercial development or a small homeowner’s project, construction is significantly risky. When construction injuries occur, they are often catastrophic. Therefore, construction laborers and first-line construction supervisors have some of the most dangerous working environments in the country.
The number of parties involved in the construction process and the magnitude of construction-related injuries makes the liability claims exceptionally complicated. Thus, without the assistance of a personal injury attorney, even knowing where to place the responsibility can be hard. Below are some of the parties that may be liable if you are injured while working at a construction site.
Site Owners
Depending on the extent to which the owner of a construction site controls the work site conditions, they may be held liable for injuries resulting from hazards they knew about or were supposed to know about.
Contractors
General contractors, sub-contractors, and prime contractors have the responsibilities of ensuring that the tasks handled under their supervision are safely performed. For instance, they have to ensure that they hire competent employees, make use of safe construction technologies, and comply with all the relevant regulations.
Architects and Engineers
The law requires design professionals to be held to certain standards due to their critical role in the entire construction process. If there was negligence on their part, they could be held personally liable in case of accidents.
Insurance Company
Due to the risky nature of construction jobs, parties are required to have insurance cover. Thus, the insurance coverage of the various parties must be considered when it comes to handling construction accident cases. A good personal injury attorney can help you to understand the extent to which insurance coverage will influence your claim.
The Takeaway
Overall, while construction jobs are a source of development and livelihood for many Americans, they are also quite hazardous. Due to the nature of construction-related injuries and the number of parties involved in a construction project, establishing liabilities for injuries and making claims can be quite a daunting task. However, with the assistance of a personal injury attorney, it is much easier to pursue justice and get the compensation that you deserve.
For an experienced personal injury attorney, seek out a free consultation from us here at Robert J. DeBry and we will be able to figure out what works best for you in your case.