A contractor who is hired independently to do work on a construction site may not be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits in the event that they are injured.
If you are facing this type of situation, it is important that you contact a personal injury attorney to help you with your claim. There are certain federal and state laws that particularly apply to construction site injuries which may or may not be applicable in your case. In order to ensure that you are getting the appropriate compensation for your injury, it is best to seek the help of an attorney who is aware of these regulations.
Determining Who is Responsible
There could be any number of parties liable for your injury, and your Missouri personal injury attorney is going to have to carefully review the details of your accident to determine who is responsible for your injury. The property owner, general contractor, other sub-contractors, and even product manufacturers could all be to blame for the accident. Going over the scene step by step is the best way for your attorney to help you decide who should be held responsible.
Work Injuries Involving Contractors
The federal agency OSHA, or Occupational Safety and Health Administration, pays special attention to work injuries that occur on construction sites. In some instances, your attorney may be able to find a violation at the site that caused your injury and could hold the building owner responsible. If you feel that at the time of your accident, you were being subject to working in an unsafe environment, your personal injury lawyer can also help file a complaint. If OSHA does find violations, those findings could be used as leverage in your own personal injury suit.
OSHA also governs the work of contractors and sub-contractors. Under OSHA guidelines, contractors and sub-contractors have an obligation to provide all workers on site with a reasonably safe work environment. They have to be able to ensure that all the work being performed following all known safety regulation. If your injury was the result of carelessness on the part of a contractor or sub-contractor, these guidelines can help your Missouri personal injury attorney better present your case.
Other third parties could also be held liable for your injury. For example, a carpenter working in St. Charles was injured while assisting a concrete company to pour cement into a foundation. Since the operator of the truck did not warn the carpenter of the potential risk of injury, he was able to obtain a $240,000 settlement for his broken collarbone and dislocated shoulder. This was a claim filed against a third party, who clearly was negligent in the use of their cement hose.
Consult With an Attorney
Without the benefit of workers compensation, a private contractor is at risk of large hospital bills and loss of wages if he is injured while working at a construction site. It is important to make sure you are not left in financial distress by contacting a Missouri personal injury attorney. They have the knowledge and experience to look at your case and determine the best route to take to make sure your injuries are compensated.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
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