Construction Injuries
Construction sites are among the most dangerous workplaces. We help injured workers recover compensation beyond workers' comp.
Free Case ReviewConstruction sites are inherently dangerous environments where heavy equipment, elevated work areas, electrical systems, and hazardous materials create risks that can result in serious injury or death. While safety regulations exist to protect workers, violations are common — and when they lead to wrecks, injured workers deserve full compensation.
At Maples, Connick & Brendel, we represent construction workers and others injured on or near construction sites across the Gulf Coast.
Common Construction Injuries
The most frequent causes of construction site injuries include falls from scaffolding, ladders, roofs, and elevated platforms. Struck-by incidents involving falling objects, swinging equipment, or moving vehicles. Caught-in or caught-between wrecks involving trenches, machinery, or collapsing structures. Electrocution from contact with power lines, faulty wiring, or ungrounded equipment. Crane wrecks and rigging failures. Forklift and heavy equipment wrecks. Exposure to hazardous materials including asbestos, silica, and chemical agents.
Beyond Workers’ Compensation
Many construction workers assume that workers’ compensation is their only remedy after a job site injury. While workers’ comp provides some coverage for medical expenses and lost wages, it does not compensate for pain and suffering and is often insufficient to cover the full cost of a serious injury.
However, when a party other than your direct employer contributed to your injury, you may have a third-party claim that provides access to full compensation. Third-party claims may be brought against general contractors or site owners who failed to maintain safe conditions, subcontractors whose negligence caused the wreck, equipment manufacturers whose defective products contributed to the injury, and property owners who created or failed to address hazardous conditions.
These third-party claims can be pursued in addition to workers’ compensation benefits and are not subject to the same limitations.
OSHA and Safety Regulations
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration establishes detailed safety standards for construction sites. Violations of OSHA regulations — such as failure to provide fall protection, inadequate scaffolding, lack of trench shoring, or failure to implement lockout/tagout procedures — are strong evidence of negligence in a construction injury case.
We investigate OSHA inspection records, citations, and the site’s safety history to build the strongest possible case.
If you have been injured on a construction site, contact us to discuss your options. You may have claims beyond workers’ compensation that can provide the full compensation you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, workers’ compensation is the exclusive remedy against your direct employer. However, if a third party — such as a general contractor, subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner — contributed to your injury, you can pursue a separate lawsuit against that party for full damages.
Independent contractors may not be covered by workers’ compensation, but they may have broader options for pursuing claims against negligent parties. The classification of your work relationship and the circumstances of the accident will determine your legal options.
Seek medical attention first. Report the injury to your supervisor and ensure it is documented. Take photographs of the accident scene and any equipment involved if possible. Get contact information from any witnesses. Do not give statements to the general contractor’s insurance company without consulting an attorney.