Greenville Construction Accident Lawyer
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The nature of construction work makes it a very dangerous industry for both workers and non-workers. Worksite tasks involve using heavy machinery, scaling great heights, and lifting heavy materials, and, as a result, severe injury and death are common on construction sites.
With all these hazards, employers and site managers must keep the area running safely and comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and industry regulations. However, studies show that more work-related injuries occur in construction annually than in any other line of work.
The Greenville construction accident attorneys of Hammack Law Firm want to help construction workers and non-worker victims who have suffered a construction accident get their lives back on track. When you work with a Greenville construction accident lawyer from our team, we fight for you until we resolve your case.
Common Types of
Construction Accidents
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers hurt on the job may suffer from a wide range of injuries, depending on the type of accident that occurred. Employers are in charge of properly training all employees and ensuring that all tasks are being performed safely. Anything less may be considered negligence.
A misstep in proper work procedures or other factors may result in the following hazards on construction sites:
Crane Accidents
Cranes are dangerous in several ways. Individuals nearby but not operating the crane can be struck by its moving parts. Operators, on the other hand, can sustain injuries if the crane is being used on an unstable site, causing it to topple over. Loads can also fall from the crane and cause a serious accident.
Overloaded cranes have collapsed, leading to the entire machine falling with its load. The neck of a crane may also collide with power lines, potentially causing an electric shock to the worker operating the machine.
Drilling Accidents
A construction worker must wear safety attire, be well trained on the use of equipment, and use inspected and approved power tools and drills. If an employer fails to inspect the tools and properly oversee operations, the individual may suffer shock or other injuries to their eyes, face, and hands while drilling.
Electrocution
The use of tools and machinery poses a specific threat of electrocution, which can cause serious trauma and death. The risk of this injury is heightened when a construction worker lacks adequate training or an employer cuts corners on safety for faster production.
Fires and Explosions
Machinery that malfunctions can cause fires and dangerous explosions. Burns, broken bones, and severe head and brain injuries are possible when an explosion occurs. Should worksite managers skimp on safety precautions and contribute to a fire, the people managing the site may be accountable for the catastrophe they helped create.
Forklift Accidents
Forklifts are dangerous, especially when operated by an untrained worker. Lack of training on the forklift can cause workers to flip the lift over, hit scaffold structures, or even run over others. Inexperienced forklift drivers can cause accidents that injure themselves or others, leading to broken bones, back injuries, or head trauma.
Machinery Accidents
The machines used in construction are extremely powerful. If an improperly trained construction worker operates heavy machinery, it can lead to loss of limbs, broken bones, head trauma, and death.
Scaffolding Collapse
Workers often must scale heights to complete construction work. The structures they climb are prone to collapse when there is a lack of safety, maintenance, and precaution. The collapse of a scaffold can cause an individual to fall from great heights and result in serious injuries, including paralysis or death.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are some of the most common and dangerous accidents that cause injury and death to construction workers. Some human errors like a violation of safety regulations or improper work conditions can cause these accidents.
Trench Accidents
When a trench falls or caves in, victims can get trapped under heavy debris or machinery. Trench accidents can result in crushing injuries like broken bones and head or spinal cord trauma. The impact on the body can result in the incapacity to work or live life as normal.
Liability for Construction Accidents
Construction workers should not have to face death each time they go to work. Responsible parties should ensure the safety of all individuals through proper oversights. Those responsible parties may include:
- Construction companies
- Contractors and subcontractors
- Employers and managers
- Manufacturers of tools or machinery
- Property owners
- Architects
- Cities or other government entities
- Other construction workers
OSHA has listed the “fatal four” of construction work accidents as falls, electrocutions, being struck by an object, and being caught in between two objects. The last two can result from collapsing structures. OSHA reveals that 60 percent of all construction worker deaths result from these four types of accidents.
Legal Options for Those Injured in Construction Accidents
If you or a loved one has suffered a construction work accident, it is important to know the available paths to possible compensation. South Carolina is a state that abides by the “modified comparative negligence rule” (S.C. Ann. § 15-38), meaning the amount of available compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault the victim had in the accident.
The defendant, whether it be an employer, company owner, or other third-party, may overestimate your percentage of fault to deter liability on their part. If plaintiffs are discovered to be liable for more than 50 percent of the accident, they may not recover compensation.
With that said, however, you can count on the construction accident attorneys of Hammack Law Firm to help you find the party whose negligence led to your accident. We will fight to make them face the consequences of their actions.
Possible avenues to justice include:
1. Workers’ Compensation
In many cases, workers’ compensation covers workers in America who suffer injuries on the job, even without the consideration of negligence. Individuals may qualify for South Carolina construction workers’ compensation if a work-related injury results in medical costs.
Benefits of South Carolina’s workers’ compensation (S.C. Ann. § 42-1) include:
- Coverage for medical treatment
- Two-thirds of compensable lost wages
- Care for permanent disabilities
- Funeral and burial costs
Remember that workers’ compensation isn’t the only option for seeking monetary compensation.
2. Personal Injury Lawsuit
You may bring a personal injury lawsuit for a construction accident, circumstances permitting. You may generally recover greater compensation through a personal injury lawsuit than a workers’ compensation claim. You may wish to consult an attorney to decide which route of legal action best suits you.
3. Non-Worker Injuries
Contractors and managers may also be liable for injuries caused to non-workers. Accidents can occur to pedestrians by falling debris, unbarricaded work sites, or other conditions that threaten those passing by the site.
The liability of a contractor depends on the circumstances of the situation. Evidence of the danger that caused the accident may be necessary to hold the contractor accountable for non-worker injuries.
4. Construction Defect Lawsuits
Sometimes an injury from construction occurs after all work is finished. If an individual suffers injury because of faulty, defective, or ineffective construction after the completion of a project, they may file a construction defect lawsuit.
For example, if a victim falls off a balcony due to a rail height that is too short for proper protection, the architect may be held liable for their errors in design. If the components of a house cause injury after active construction is finished, it is critical to determine which party is liable for these errors. Liability will determine from whom the victim can seek damages for their losses.
Seeking Legal Care After a Construction Accident
The numerous parties involved on a worksite can lead to various causes for accidents in construction. Many victims of construction site accidents seek help from a Greenville construction accident attorney at Hammack Law Firm to help pinpoint who is at fault, as well as the compensation they may be able to recover.
We may consider the following losses for recovery in your Greenville construction accident lawsuit:
- Medical treatment costs
- Future medical costs
- Diminished earning capacity
- Lost wages and benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Wrongful death
Construction companies may aim to save costs by short-cutting safety procedures to get work done faster. This is dangerous to workers and non-workers alike.
What Hammack Law Firm Will Do for You After Your Construction Accident
If you’re considering handling a construction accident case on your own, first consider the services we can provide you. When you hire Hammack Law Firm for a construction accident claim or lawsuit, you can expect us to:
- Complete a thorough investigation of your construction accident: Our team may visit the scene of your construction accident. We’ll seek video footage, witness accounts, work logs, safety literature, incident reports, and any other potential evidence. As we gather evidence from your accident, we’ll preserve it in preparation for negotiations or trial.
- Deal with the insurance companies: If insurance companies are part of your case, we’ll handle all interactions with them. These companies have the power to violate your rights or even deprive you of fair compensation. We’ll complete all necessary communications with insurers, but we will never let them take advantage of you.
- Identify and value each of your accident-related losses: Damages are the foundation of any construction accident case. We’ll compose a complete record of your losses, assigning an accurate value to each of your economic and non-economic damages.
- Handle all the finer details of your case: Lawsuits and insurance claims contain many points of detail that the non-lawyer may not consider. From paperwork to deadlines and other critical aspects of your case, we’ll handle every duty.
- Protect your rights: A law firm must always protect its clients from harm. Our team will insulate you from any possible rights violations as we handle your case.
Our firm will handle your case with empathy, but we’ll also fight hard for the recovery you need.
Case Results and Testimonials Provide Reason to Choose Our Firm
You might ask: of all the law firms serving Greenville, why hire Hammack Law Firm? Among other reasons, we’d point to our case results and the reviews of former clients.
Some prominent recoveries we’ve secured for clients include:
- $4.4 million for the family of a severely injured accident victim
- $1.6 million for a couple who suffered debilitating injuries due to negligence
- $525,000 for a wrongful death
- $400,000 for a client who suffered multiple lower-body injuries through no fault of their own
It’s important to consider a law firm’s record of success. When you hire us, you’ll know that we’ve helped many clients before you. We will fight for the total financial recovery you need.
We also refer prospective clients to testimonials, which give unique insight into the client experience:
- “My experience with the law firm was one of the best that I could have imagine[d]. My family and I were suffering for a long time due to an accident that occurred on my job. The Hammack Firm was there from the time that I selected them for legal guidance until the end.” – Sammie, former client
- “Definitely one of the best accident attorneys around! Would recommend to anyone facing injuries from the result of an accident.” – Maio, former client
- “Excellent legal service. Got me a very fair settlement from an accident, kept me fully informed during the process.” – John, former client
We go the extra mile for every client we represent. Expect the same standard of legal care in your construction accident case.
Call Hammack Law Firm Today for Your FREE Consultation
Know your legal rights by working with the Greenville construction accident attorneys of Hammack Law Firm. Our experience in years of litigation and handling cases similar to yours will assist you in recovering fair compensation in your unique case. Call us today at (864) 326-3333(864) 326-3333 for a FREE consultation.
Ask a Question, Describe Your Situation,
Request a Consultation
Contact Us Today For a Free Case Consultation
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We respect your privacy. The information you provide will be used to answer your question or to schedule an appointment if requested.
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