3 construction injury scenarios wherein a third party is at fault

Many construction injury scenarios are the fault of a worker or are not caused by situations in which anyone can be tagged with fault. Such cases often lead to workers’ compensation claims. Other situations might potentially lead to litigation.

Although employees usually cannot sue the companies that hire them, they can take legal action against third parties who behave negligently or maliciously. For example, sometimes, injuries at a construction site are the direct result of illegal or unsafe behavior on the part of a third party. An injured worker may then have grounds for a third-party personal injury lawsuit. The following are some of the scenarios in which a construction incident may lead to a personal injury lawsuit.

Violent incidents at the job site

Workplace violence is a common cause of employee injury and death. Occasionally, disputes between co-workers could lead to physical altercations. An employee assaulted by a coworker may have the option of taking legal action against the person who became violent and injured them. The same is true if the aggressor is a member of the general public. People frustrated by traffic delays or loud noises might come over and confront construction professionals. Those trespassing at a construction site might also become aggressive when confronted by workers. The party that engages in violence may be personally responsible for the injuries sustained by a construction professional.

Equipment and machinery malfunctions

Construction professionals often rely on a host of different types of equipment and tools to do their jobs. They use power tools to reduce the manual labor necessary to erect or repair buildings. They may also work in close proximity to heavy machinery. If those tools or pieces of equipment fail, outside parties may be liable for the injuries that result. Defective products might lead to a lawsuit against a manufacturer. Poorly-maintained tools and equipment could lead to lawsuits against the company that repairs equipment for a construction firm or rents out heavy machinery.

Car crash incidents

Drivers who fall asleep at the wheel or lose control of their vehicles might go off the road. In some cases, they may strike equipment, scaffolding or workers at an active construction site. Construction sites often present a variety of hazards, including moving equipment and distracting visual stimuli. Motorists driving past a construction site might make mistakes that lead to worker injuries or worse. If a collision is what leads to a construction worker’s injuries, they may have grounds to hold the driver involved accountable.

Looking into third-party liability can be a smart move for construction professionals who have been hurt on the job as a result of a third party’s negligence or intentional conduct. A personal injury lawsuit can potentially lead to more thorough compensation than a basic benefits claim might.