The Two Main Types of Construction Site Slip and Fall Accidents

Posted on July 22, 2022 by admin

OSHA stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which is an organization responsible for enforcing health and safety regulations in workplace environments. Employers, employees, and manufacturers are all obligated to follow OSHA guidelines and support comprehensive safety at work. These regulations are set in place to maintain safe workplace environments and prevent serious injuries and fatalities. Workplace accidents can range in severity, from minor wounds to serious life-long injuries or even death. People can lose their lives, their loved ones, or their ability to work or perform naturally in everyday tasks.

As for active construction sites, one of the most common on-the-job accidents is slip and fall accidents, emphasis on the falls. There are two main types of construction site slip and fall accidents. Continue below to learn more about them, plus what you should do as an injured construction worker or laborer in Indiana.

Construction Site Accident Lawyers Indianapolis Indiana 317-881-2700

Important Construction Site Accident Statistics

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that, every single year, 1 out of 10 construction laborers are injured on site. Furthermore, OSHA informs us that falls from great heights are one of the top causes of such accidents. And according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), every year there are nearly 150,000 construction site accident injuries reported. Of these injuries, fall accidents are one of the primary causes.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 1,224 construction workers lost their lives in a construction accident in 2005. They suggest this makes the construction field the most dangerous industry to work in. In the United States, 15% of workers’ compensation costs are paid toward injured construction laborers who were hurt on the job.

Reasons For Construction Site Slip and Fall Accidents

Active construction sites are innately more vulnerable to the risk of slip and fall accidents due to negligent persons and companies, inclement weather conditions, dispersed construction equipment and machinery, production debris, great heights, and more. Although it goes without saying, the higher up a slip and fall incident happens, the more severe the injuries. At extreme heights, a slip and fall accident can mean instant death.

Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents on construction sites include inadequate safety training and equipment, loosened or broken handrailing, defective scaffolding, exposed electrical cords and cables, and surfaces that are uneven, wet, or slippery.

2 Primary Types of Fall Accidents on Construction Sites

Various slip and fall accidents can take place at a construction site, but the two primary types include same-level falls and falls from one level to a lower level. Same-level falls are best described as slip, trip, and fall accidents. These take place on ground level, or on a single level in which the fall does not cause the victim to drop to a lower level of the construction site. An example of the same-level fall at a construction site would be tripping over exposed electrical wiring and falling to the ground, resulting in a broken ankle and dislocated shoulder. This does not mean that a same -level fall cannot result in catastrophic injuries or death. They do, as the statistics above suggest.

Falling to a lower level typically results in more serious workplace injuries, and in some cases construction fatalities. Compared to same level falls, falling from one level to a lower level increases the chances of catastrophic injuries or deaths.

Falling in Man-Made Holes

Holes are also a common cause of accidents on construction sites. People, both workers and regular citizens, have literally fallen victim to unmarked or unguarded holes, trenches, and other deep cavities dug into the ground.

Guidance for Injured Construction Workers

If you are a construction worker, or an employee in any industry for that matter, who has been injured on the job or while performing work-related duties, it is in your best interest to consult with a licensed Indiana personal injury lawyer to learn your rights to pursuing legal action and obtaining the maximum compensation for your damages and losses.

Would you like to speak with a trusted workers’ compensation lawyer without any financial obligation? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free case evaluation to discuss your construction accident claim in Indianapolis, Indiana with an experienced workplace injury attorney. We represent workers throughout Indiana and Indiana citizens injured anywhere, plus we can meet over the phone, via video conference (Zoom, Skype, etc.), or in person at our Indy-based office.

Information About Herniated Disc Injury Settlements

Posted on July 5, 2022 by admin

Back and spinal injuries are serious, as they tend to result in higher levels of pain and longer periods of recovery. Herniated discs are a type of spinal cord injury that can impose a series of damages and challenges in a victim’s life, and his or her family’s life. If you are a victim of a personal injury accident that caused you to suffer from a herniated disc, it is important to acquire all evidence to obtain the justice you deserve.

Continue below to learn important information about herniated disc injuries and accident settlements, plus where to get trusted personal injury legal advice near you.

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Herniated Disc Injuries

As a spinal cord injury, herniated discs are painful and challenging to rehabilitate. Also called ruptured discs, herniated discs cause patients to experience high levels of immobility, pain, stress, and exhaustion. Sometimes such accidents are so serious, they completely disable a person.

Needless to say, herniated disc injuries cause victims to experience a lot of hardships and distress. Not only do they usually lose time at work and the ability to care for their children, family, or dependents, but they are also forced to miss out on important events in life, suffer through painful physical therapy, surgeries, injections, etc…, spend a lot of out-of-pocket money for related expenses, and much more. To make matters worse, ruptured discs tend to take a long time to heal, often several months or even years and sometimes they cannot even be operated on.

Herniated disc injuries require extensive treatment, which usually involves diagnostic testing, physical therapy, steroid injections, and medications like NSAIDS, narcotics, and muscle relaxers. In many cases, surgery is necessary to remove a part of the bone around the injured disc, known as a laminectomy, which relieves some pressure. In more serious cases, patients may need to have the entire disc removed (discectomy), an artificial disc installed, or spinal fusion surgery, which aims to stabilize the spine by fusing two or more vertebrae.

Personal Injury Damages

As a wrongfully injured victim suffering from any type of spinal cord, back, or neck injury, you will learn just how quickly all these expenses add up. Expenses include, but are not limited to:

▶ Lost Income From Missing Work
▶ Medicines and Medicinal Treatment
▶ Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
▶ Diagnostic Testing and Evaluation
▶ Medical Equipment (Crutches, Braces, Wheelchair, etc.)

Ruptured Disc Injuries Can Show Up Later

A delayed onset of injury is very common among herniated disc patients, who often times do not experience any symptoms right away. That is because the pain can arise during periods of activity or movement, then fade during times of rest. As a result, sufferers initially tend to think they are not really injured as bad as they are. But as time goes on, the symptoms become stronger and more persistent.

Pain, tightness, stiffness, numbness, tingling, and burning sensations can and sometimes appear gradually after someone is in an accident that causes a herniation in the back or neck. These are the most common symptoms of a ruptured disc. Common accidents that cause herniated discs are auto accidents, construction accidents, and slip/fall accidents.

Would you like to learn how you can bring about a successful claim against the party that caused your herniated disc injuries? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a no-risk, no-fee consultation with an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. We represent clients all throughout the state, and there is no need to travel. We can hold case evaluations via phone or online video conference.

Who is Liable for Construction Defects That Cause Personal Injury Accidents?

Posted on May 10, 2022 by admin

Springtime is the prime time of year to break ground on construction projects. Builders, engineers, architects, and contractors are all working to get their plans in motion now that the weather is warmer. Such professionals are trained in their industry and required by law to maintain certain certifications and licensing, but that does not mean they do not make mistakes, sometimes very serious and deadly mistakes.

Construction defects are a common cause of serious, injurious accidents across the nation. But when someone gets hurt because of a construction defect, who would be held legally liable for their damages?

Construction Defect Lawyer Indianapolis Indiana 317-881-2700

Legal Liability for Flawed Construction

Construction defects typically happen in the design phase of the construction process or in the actual building phase of the construction process. The state of the construction process plays an important role in determining who is legally liable for accidents that occur as a result of a design or construction defect. When flaws and defects occur during the design phase, the architect or engineer would be deemed responsible. Contractors and subcontractors are usually liable for defects that occur more during the building and construction phase.

Because construction defects can take place before ever breaking ground AND well after a project has been completed, accidents can injure multiple types of victims, from construction workers and laborers to future visitors or occupants of the building, pedestrians, interior designers, and more.

How Construction Project Contracts Can Affect Liability for Defects

The two major legal concepts in a construction defect liability case are contracts and indemnification. A single construction project can involve a stack of contractual agreements, all of which are legally binding to whoever signs them. For instance, the building owner might have a contract with the architect, who in turn has one with the engineer. The building owner may also have a contract with the general contractor, who might have contracts with subcontractors.

When it comes to applying the law in a construction defect case, the provisions of such contracts will have the most impact on outcome. The details of each contractual agreement should fully spell out all terms and conditions surrounding construction defect liability. In most cases, liability for a design or construction defect gets pushed down the chain of authority. The building owner hands over full liability for defects to the general contractor, who places the liability via contract onto each subcontractor, and so forth.

Liability for construction defects is commonly passed through contractual agreements as well. Indemnification provisions allow this passing of liability to be held up under law. This might happen between contractor and subcontractor. A general contractor might include an indemnity provision in their contract with a subcontractor, making the subcontractor indemnify the general contractor. Essentially, the indemnitor, in this case the subcontractor, would agree to pay back any expenses incurred as a result of a construction defect lawsuit against the general contractor that was caused by the subcontractor’s negligence.

Examples of Personal Injury Accidents Caused by Construction Defects:

▷ Unsecured railing causes a person to fall off the balcony.
▷ Occupants are crushed after the roof collapses.
▷ Faulty electrical work leads to an electrocution accident.
▷ Improper installation causes a gas line explosion.
▷ Poor design causes a roadway bridge or building to collapse.

For Construction Defect Accident Victims

If you are a recent victim of a construction defect accident in Indiana, you deserve financial justice. Get in touch with a skilled and experienced Indiana personal injury law firm that can fully document a strong and impactful case and obtain the maximum settlement for your damages.

Are you the victim of a negligent building defect or construction accident in Indiana? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free consultation with a trusted Indianapolis construction accident lawyer who knows product defect cases. We represent victims all throughout the state of Indiana and Indiana residents injured in other states.

Facts About Electrocution and Electric Shock Accident Lawsuits

Posted on December 23, 2021 by admin

Electrocution and electric shock accidents are very serious, and unfortunately, more common than you think. According to the National Institutes of Health, virtually 1,000 victims lose their life to an electricity accident every year in the United States.

For the sake of better understanding this blog, note that electrocution accidents are those that result in death due to electric shock, while electric shock accidents are electricity accidents that do not result in death, but can result in a long list of severe bodily injuries and personal losses.

If you or someone you love is a recent victim of an electrocution or electric shock accident, continue reading to learn the facts you need to know about pursuing legal action against the negligent party responsible.

Electricity Accident Lawyer Indianapolis Indiana 317-881-2700

Electricity Accidents

Electrocution accidents cause death when the electrical current coursing through the body is sufficient to stop the heart. An electricity accident victim who suffers a smaller current may be recovered using a defibrillator. Smaller currents of electricity can trigger an irregular contraction of the cardiac muscle, known as fibrillation. Larger electrical currents typically result in death, but sometimes they result in permanent injuries, such as burns and neurological and cellular damage.

The severity of an electric shock or electrocution accident depends on various factors, including the amount of voltage, the type of current, the type of circuit, how long the patient was in contact with the electrical current, the path the electrical current traveled through the body, how quickly the patient receives medical treatment, any underlying medical conditions, and more.

Common Injuries Sustained in an Electric Shock Accident

Electric shock accidents typically result in serious bodily injuries, primarily severe burns, but also:

◾ Cardiac Arrest
◾ Respiratory Arrest
◾ Spinal Cord Injuries
◾ Orthopedic Fractures
◾ Kidney Damages
◾ Peripheral Nerve Damage
◾ Cataracts
◾ Nerve And Tissue Damage
◾ Ruptured Eardrums
◾ Seizures
◾ Confusion
◾ Amnesia
◾ Loss Of Consciousness
◾ Psychological Suffering
◾ And More

Suing for a Wrongful Electricity Accident

If you or someone you love was wrongly injured in electricity accident in Indiana, whether a wrongful death caused by electrocution or serious injuries caused by an electric shock accident, it is important to consult with a seasoned personal injury attorney right away. You can be entitled to a settlement or verdict for your hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, prolonged medical treatment, pain-and-suffering, loss of consortium, permanent disfigurement, permanent disability, and much more.

Are you searching for a trusted Indiana personal injury law firm to represent your electricity accident case? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial case evaluation with a skilled civil litigator and discuss your electric shock or electrocution accident claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Act now before time runs out on your claim or evidence is lost to support your claim.

Local Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700 — Schedule a Free Consultation!

How to Make a Claim as a Recent Construction Accident Victim in Indiana

Posted on August 7, 2020 by admin

Here in Indiana, construction accidents are not only one of the most common workplace injury accidents that occur on the clock, they are often times the most severe. That is because construction work typically involves heavy materials, powerful machinery, large motorized equipment, and working at heights. Construction injuries are not to be taken lightly, especially since many can result in an onset of injury, rather than an instantaneous one. For all of these reasons and more, construction accident victims tend to suffer exponentially in terms of their damages and losses.

If you are a recent construction accident victim, or your spouse, it is vital to hire a specialized Indiana workers’ compensation lawyer for your construction accident injury claim. Continue reading to learn what you need to know about construction accident claims and lawsuits, including how to get started on yours.

Indiana Construction Site Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Construction Accident Claims

Although construction contractors and proprietors have a legal duty of care to maintain safe and hazard-free construction sites, accidents still happen every day in this line of work. As mentioned, construction complexes are more dangerous than standard workplace environments because they house various tools, products, heavy machinery, and equipment. As a result, there are infinite types of risk involved with construction work, and even more ways a worker can get hurt.

Here in Indiana, the most common types of construction site injuries and accidents include:

➾ OSHA Violations
➾ Scaffolding Accidents
➾ Explosion Injuries
➾ Crane Injury Accidents
➾ Falls
➾ Ladder Accidents
➾ Roofing Accidents
➾ Chemical Leaks
➾ Welding Injuries
➾ Severe Burns
➾ Blunt Force Traumas
➾ Machine Malfunctions
➾ Faulty Equipment
➾ Electrical Injuries
➾ Forklift Injury Accidents
➾ Trenching Accidents
➾ Nail Gun Injuries
➾ Wrongful Death
➾ And More

Construction Site Accident Lawyers Can Help Your Case

It is important to protect your rights if you were injured on a construction site, whether as a worker, pedestrian, driver, or visitor. Hiring a team of skilled personal injury attorneys who well-versed and familiar with the intricacies regarding workplace accident law, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines, Indiana construction laws, safety laws, contractor liabilities, owner liabilities, agent liabilities, and similar areas of expertise, is your best chance at recovering the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Who to Trust With Your Indianapolis Construction Accident Claim

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with our team of highly-accredited and experienced personal injury attorneys about your recent construction accident in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are fully-prepared to help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after being injured at a construction site. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. Get in touch with a friendly legal assistant about scheduling a free consultation with a construction accident lawyer, today. We represent clients throughout the State of Indiana.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700 — Schedule a Free Consultation!

Facts About Traumatic Brain Injuries and Accident Claims

Posted on October 14, 2019 by admin

Traumatic brain injury, also known as a TBI, can have devastating and permanent effects on a victim, and their immediate families. If you were recently injured in an accident that involved injury to your head, neck, spine, or brain, it is vital that you seek medical attention right away, followed by experienced legal guidance. You could be entitled to compensation for your damages and losses, such as hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, and much more.

Continue reading to learn some basic facts regarding traumatic brain injuries, as well as, the recommended legal recourse for anyone who has been wrongly, negligently, or willfully injured by another party.

Indiana Brain Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Trauma to the Brain

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when the brain is damaged as a result of sudden, impact to the head or sudden changes in velocity to a person’s head where the brain can hit the inside of the skull. When the brain is injured in this way, it can lead to irreversible physical damage, as well as mental and emotional damages. The onset of TBI symptoms can appear immediately, or develop slowly overtime. Common signs and symptoms of traumatic brain damage includes severe headaches, migraines, seizures, vomiting, blurry vision, memory loss, sensitivity to light, paralysis and changes in personality.

TBI Statistics

According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 50 percent of traumatic brain injuries result from car accidents. One common car accident injury that has been linked to traumatic brain damage is whiplash. Whiplash is the result of a sudden distortion of the neck, usually following some sort of impact. In the case of a car accident, the impact of a vehicle colliding into another vehicle is an event that could result in whiplash, and ultimately, a TBI. Construction site accidents, slip and falls, and deliberate assaults are other potential causes of a TBI.

Traumatic Brain Injury Claims

If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms of a TBI, seek medical care immediately. Your health and safety are your number one priority. If you or someone you love was injured as a result of another’s negligence, your next priority should be to protect your rights to compensation for your subsequent damages and losses. To do so, contact a seasoned personal injury attorney to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your case and the best course of action for your claim. While recovering medically from a TBI, a personal injury lawyer can represent your interests to ensure you are paid the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Indiana Brain Injury Lawyers

Call The Law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to discuss your potential Indiana brain injury claim with a licensed accident attorney you can trust. Our law firm offers free initial consultations and never collects lawyer fees unless we recover a settlement or judgment for you. Get started on your path to financial recovery with a simple phone call to our Indianapolis brain injury lawyers, today. We represent clients throughout the State of Indiana.

Common Slip and Fall Code Violations

Posted on September 13, 2019 by admin

Here in Indiana, all entities and persons are legally required to construct and maintain their properties at a certain level of safety. This means that any place that welcomes the general public, such as office buildings, grocery stores, movie theaters, hotels, public parks, and malls, must take the proper actions, inactions, and precautions to ensure there are not any dangerous conditions on their premises. This legal principle is known as premise liability, and it is what you will want to learn more about in the case that you or someone you love is injured as a result of a municipal code violation.

Code violations are serious, as you have probably heard stories about accidents that happen when something is not “up to code” or within legal standards. One type of accident that tends to occur more often as a result of code violations are slip, trip, and fall accidents. Continue reading to review some of the most common slip and fall code violations seen in personal injury cases, as well as, what to do if you’ve been injured as a result of inadequate building codes in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis Premise Liability Attorneys 317-881-2700

Indiana Building Code Violations

⚖ Here in Indiana, you can peruse a comprehensive list of building codes by downloading the Indiana Amendments of IBC 13 document.

Common Slip and Fall Code Violations

There are several types of code violations; thousands in fact. But when it comes to slip, trip, and fall accidents, some of the most common violations behind them include:

✒ Missing or broken hand rails on stairs and slopes; ✒ Crumbled, warped, or rotted stairs; ✒ Unleveled curbs; ✒ Insufficient lighting (stairs, sidewalks, streets, etc.); ✒ No security for slick surfaces (slip-resistant mats, wet floors signs, etc.); ✒ Broken or missing downspouts that cause pooled water or ice patches; ✒ Insufficient or incorrect maintenance of elevators and escalators; ✒ Unmarked construction zones; ✒ Unmanaged ice and snow accumulations; ✒ Torn or ripped carpeting; ✒ Grease or chemical spills;

Premise Liability

A premise liability, slip and fall case will depend on several factors. But one of the most influential will be whether or not the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard that caused the accident, and whether or not the hazard was something that should have been reasonably foreseen to cause injury to a person.

For example, a landlord for an apartment building is informed that the lighting in the stairwell has gone out. The landlord fails to replace the light bulbs within a reasonable amount of time, and as a result, an elderly tenant trips and falls down them on their way to their apartment unit, and suffers serious injuries. In this case, the landlord would likely be held responsible for all damages and losses resulting from the tenant’s accident and subsequent injuries. This includes hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

How to Get Legal Help For Your Slip and Fall Claim

If you or someone you loved was recently injured in a slip and fall accident, contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 before the Indiana statute of limitations runs out for your claim. Our Indianapolis slip and fall lawyers work hard to recover full and fair compensation for all injury victims. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation with a licensed and experienced premise liability attorney who can help you recover financially from a slip and fall accident.

Helpful Legal Information for Knee Injury Victims in Indiana

Posted on July 15, 2019 by admin

Knee injuries are serious medical matters as is, but when they occur as a result of another’s negligence, they can also turn into serious legal matters. If you are a victim of a recent negligent knee injury, you may be entitled to compensation to cover your hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, pain suffering, and other damages and losses that resulted from your accident. Your first step is to have your case evaluated by a skilled Indiana personal injury lawyer who can help you understand your rights and determine the best course of action for your claim.

Continue reading to learn more about knee injury claims, including how to get started as soon as today.

Indianapolis Knee Injury Lawyer 317-881-2700

Common Types of Knee Injuries

Knees are one of the most important parts of our body, and unfortunately, they are also quite vulnerable to injury. The severity of knees injuries rests on a vast scope, from minor strains and swelling, to ligament tears, orthopedic fractures, and much more. You will know the scope of your knee injury as a victim because of the amount of pain, money loss, medical attention, inconvenience, and decreased quality of life you experience as a result of your injuries.

Some of the most common types of serious knee injuries include the following:

❖ Arthritis
❖ Blunt Force Impacts
❖ Broken Knee
❖ Cartilage Injuries
❖ Dislocated Knees
❖ Fractured Patella
❖ Knee Fractures
❖ Meniscus Tears
❖ Muscle Tears
❖ Ripped Tendons
❖ PCL Tears (Posterior Cruciate Ligament)
❖ Severe Knee Trauma
❖ Synovitis (Inflammation)
❖ Tibial Plateau Fractures
❖ Torn Knee Ligaments

Recovering From a Knee Injury

Knee injuries are medically treated in a number of ways depending on the extent of damage. Some common treatments for knee injuries include surgery, bed rest, physical therapy, and more. The recovery time also differs among victims, however, most knee injuries typically require long-term rehabilitation. This period of time can greatly affect a victim’s life, especially when it comes to finances. Not only do knee injuries result in hospital bills and medical expenses, they also lead to time off work, which lowers the monthly expected income family’s rely on for mortgage, groceries, fuel, and more.

Starting Your Knee Injury Claim

Because of the potential physical, emotional, and financial impact a serious knee injury can have on a victim’s life, it is vital to retain professional legal representation to protect your rights to being compensated for your losses. The negligent party that caused your knee injury accident, whether a person, manufacturer, or business, may be liable for your damages and losses due to legal principles like premise liability, medical malpractice, negligence, comparative fault, and more. An experienced personal injury lawyer is the helping hand you need to get back you on your feet after a knee injury.

Indianapolis Knee Injury Lawyers Who Can Help

Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with a licensed knee injury lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. We understand the serious nature of knee injuries, which is why we work hard to recover the full and fair amount of compensation you truly deserve. Call our office today to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your knee injury case that occurred anywhere in Indiana.

Construction Site Accidents and Injury Claims

Posted on March 4, 2019 by admin

Usually when you think of someone getting hurt at a construction site, you automatically assume it is a worker. Although most construction site accidents do involve injuries to workers and we typically represent injured workers, there are still many cases of non-workers becoming construction site accident victims, whether they just passed by at the wrong time, or fell victim to a neglected hazard.

If you are an injured victim of a construction accident, continue reading to learn some important information that could be relevant to your case.

Situations like these tend to happen more often in cities where construction site management teams have difficulty separating their building projects from the general public. Regardless of this challenge, builders and contractors still have the responsibility to protect regular citizens/non-workers from harm and danger.

Guarding public safety always plays a major role in any company’s construction safety management plan. In fact, cities and towns require builders to adhere to rules and regulations governing the protection of the general public. Some local regulations obligate construction managers to appoint a safety manager on-site to be sure nothing is overlooked. Part of a construction site safety plan must implement certain preventative measures to create well-defined boundaries, including fencing and gates to block non-permitted individuals, as well as, DO NOT ENTER signs, warning signs, and more.

Common Construction Site Hazards and Accidents

There are many things that can go wrong on a construction site. Aside from all the dangerous machinery, tools, and materials used to complete a project, coupled with risky work locations, there is also human error and negligence to consider. Some of the most common types of construction site accidents involve falling objects, machinery defects, slip and falls, and traffic accidents.

☑ Falling Objects – Falling objects can severely injure and even kill a person. Whether from a short or long height, falling objects can be equally detrimental. To prevent falling object accidents, construction site management should have sidewalk sheds cover walkways, as well as, netting to catch any potential falling debris or objects.

☑ Falling in Holes – Holes are a common cause of accidents on construction sites. People, both workers and regular citizens/non-workers, have literally fallen victim to unmarked or unguarded holes, trenches, and other deep cavities dug into the ground.

☑ Traffic Accidents – Not only can workers and pedestrians be harmed by such equipment, drivers can too. When construction zones are not sufficiently policed or marked or clearly defined to the general public, it can lead to drivers veering onto a construction site and in harm’s way, or worse.

Construction Site Accident Claims

If you were hurt in a construction site accident in Indiana, whether as an ordinary citizen or a worker, contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to learn how to obtain compensation for your injuries and damages. Our seasoned personal injury lawyers can obtain a full and fair settlement to cover your medical expenses, hospital bills, lost work wages, pain, suffering, and more. We offer free initial consultations, so there is no obligation to simply discuss your potential claim. Best of all, we work on contingency, which means you pay nothing unless we recover a settlement for you!

Who is Liable for Independent Contractor Commercial Construction Injuries?

Posted on May 29, 2018 by admin

When an independent contractor, or one of their employees, is injured on the job at a commercial construction site, it is common for people to think that the liability for damages and losses falls onto the contractor; however, others believe the liability should fall onto the business owner who contracted the work.

If you are having construction work done to your place of business, it is wise to understand your role in the chance that a private contractor is injured while working. If you are an independent contractor who was recently injured on a commercial job, it is vital that you contact a licensed Indianapolis accident attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options for making a claim.

In the meantime, continue reading to learn who the courts generally find responsible for independent contractor accidents and injuries in Indiana.

Construction Site Accident Claims 317-881-2700

Legal liability can be quite unclear in the case of an independent contractor accident. The laws of liability vary from state to state, and differ greatly from case to case. It is important to discuss your questions and concerns with a licensed personal injury law firm for professional advice and personalized answers unique to your case.

Gross Negligence

There are some examples of when legal responsibility is less uncertain in the case if an injured independent contractor. A common example is when a business owner is guilty of “gross negligence.” This means that a business owner used unreasonable and/or deliberate misconduct that directly caused the contractor harm.

For instance, a business owner may exhibit gross negligence if they hire a private roofing contractor to inspect their roof, but fails to inform them that the roof is incredibly weak and unstable. As a result, the contractor falls through the roof and suffers serious injuries. In such a case, a court could find that the business owner was clearly and exceptionally negligent by failing to disclose the true nature of the roof.

If a court finds a business owner grossly negligent, the business owner could be liable for the damages and losses incurred by the victim, including hospital bills, medical expenses, unemployment reimbursement, prolonged physical therapy, and much more. Learning the difference between gross negligence and standard negligence can help you better understand this legal concept.

Punitive Damages

In special cases of egregiously offensive misconduct or flagrant negligence, a court could award an injured independent contractor “punitive damages.” Also known as “exemplary damages”, punitive damages are more intended to reprimand the wrong-doer rather than award the victim (although the victim still receives monetary compensation). Learning about the common types of damages awarded for victims of injury will help you understand these kinds of cases and more.

Independent Contractor Licenses and Insurance

In the case that a business owner hires an independent contractor who has a contractor license, the contractor themselves could be responsible for any injuries they (or their employees) sustain on the job. When hiring a private contractor, it is vital to ensure they have a current contractors license by actually viewing the license and/or requesting the license number to look up. Word of mouth is not enough to absolve a business owner’s legal responsibility in the case of an accident.

In some cases, even if a contractor has a license, a business owner could still be liable for injuries sustained by the contractor or their employees. This can happen if a contractor does not carry insurance that covers bodily injuries and workers’ compensation for lost wages. For these reasons, it is important to ensure that a private contractor retains the proper insurance coverage for property damage and bodily injury.

Independent Contractor Injury Claims

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you were recently injured on the job as an independent contractor in Indiana. You can speak with a seasoned Indianapolis construction accident lawyer about recovering compensation for your losses and damages. We offer free initial consultations to discuss your claim, and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you!