As one of the country’s most dangerous industries, construction sites are high-risk environments with serious injury potential. If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, seek legal help from an Indianapolis construction accident lawyer at our personal injury law firm.
We can guide you through the complex legal process—including the workers’ compensation insurance process—to recover compensation for your workplace injuries. Call us for a free consultation.
In this Article
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Construction Accident in Indianapolis?
What Causes Construction Accidents in Indianapolis?
Serious accidents occur on active job sites for a variety of reasons, including a lack of proper safety equipment and training, failure to follow safety regulations and protocols, negligence on the part of the construction company or site manager, defective equipment (like power tools or machinery), hazardous or improperly secured building materials, and unsafe working conditions caused by weather or other external factors.
Construction Accidents That Cause On-the-Job Injuries
The “fatal four” safety failures cause most construction worker deaths; falls are a leading cause of construction site injuries, followed by struck-by-object incidents, electrocutions, and crush injuries. Other accidents include machinery accidents, chemical exposures, and accidents involving construction vehicles.
Types of Significant Injuries That Can Result from a Construction Accident
Common severe injuries include broken bones, lacerations, and head injuries (like traumatic brain injuries). In addition, workers on construction jobs can suffer spinal cord injuries, severe burns from fires and explosions, amputations, and internal organ damage. Construction sites have the highest number of fatal accidents among professions.
How Are Construction Workers Protected in Indianapolis, IN?
Laws to protect employees in workplace accidents include:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) laws set safety standards and protect the construction industry and its workers from accidents and injuries, requiring employers to provide safety training, equipment, and a safe work environment.
Through the Worker’s Compensation Board of Indiana, Indiana’s no-fault workers’ compensation system requires virtually all employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance to provide injured workers with benefits that cover essential medical expenses and a portion of lost wages.
Third-party claims provide a way to seek compensation from non-employer responsible parties (like contractors or manufacturers).
Indiana law imposes steep penalties and increased fines for motorists who commit traffic infractions or drive recklessly through a designated highway work zone. Under Indiana’s work zone safety laws, standard speeding tickets are heavily penalized, and reckless or aggressive driving in an active work zone is a Class A misdemeanor, carrying fines up to $5,000.
Steps to Take After a Construction Site Accident
Injured construction workers should take the following steps:
- Seek medical attention immediately for any injuries sustained.
- Report the accident to your employer or construction site manager.
- Document the accident; take photos of the accident scene and equipment involved.
- Gather witness contact information for corroborating statements.
- Obtain OSHA inspection reports to reveal safety violations.
- Keep track of all medical records and expenses related to your injury.
- Consult with an experienced construction accident lawyer to understand your legal options for recovering full compensation.
How Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help
A construction accident lawyer helps pursue compensation by conducting a thorough investigation into the accident to identify how a party’s negligence contributed to your injuries, focusing heavily on proving negligence to establish liability.
By gathering key evidence on behalf of the injured party, negotiating with insurance companies, and managing communication with other involved parties, they can accurately calculate your total damages. They will also represent you in court if needed, protecting your rights throughout the entire legal process.
Who Can Be Held Liable for My Construction Accident Injuries?
Indiana workers’ compensation law covers medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. A third-party lawsuit can provide additional compensation if someone other than the employer caused the injury. An injured construction worker may have both a workers’ comp claim and a personal injury claim, depending on the circumstances.
What Types of Compensation Can I Receive?
Injury victims of construction-related accidents may be entitled to financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation, and pain and suffering. Third-party claims can recover damages beyond workers’ compensation limits.
What Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?
Each construction accident case is unique. Your Indianapolis accident attorney will evaluate your case considering: the severity of your injuries, lost income, medical costs, the extent of pain and suffering you’ve experienced, and (in some cases) wrongful death, seeking damages for surviving family members.
What If I Was Injured on a Construction Site, but I’m Not a Construction Worker?
People injured on a construction job site who are not Indianapolis construction workers may still have legal rights. Consulting with a construction accident lawyer on our legal team can help you understand your options and determine the best course of action.
How Much Time Do I Have to Take Action?
Legal deadlines affect both workers’ compensation claims and personal injury lawsuits in Indiana.
- Workers’ compensation claims: you must report your injury to your employer within 30 days of the accident; if a dispute arises, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a formal claim with the Worker’s Compensation Board of Indiana.
- Third-party personal injury lawsuits: under Indiana law, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent third party is two years from the exact date the construction accident occurred.
Our Indianapolis Construction Accident Attorneys Are Ready to Help
If you have suffered injuries on a construction site, contact our law firm for a free initial consultation with an experienced attorney. We explore injured clients’ legal rights and seek full and fair compensation (including medical treatment and emotional distress).
Our construction injury attorneys are here to provide legal representation to help construction accident victims with legal claims, including workers’ compensation and third-party liability claims.
(312) 223-1700