WASHINGTON CONSTRUCTION SITE INJURIES

More than 5 million workers are injured every year on construction sites, and an average of 16 workers are killed every day nationwide. Injuries from construction site accidents are often catastrophic, including

  • Spinal cord injuries, often with paralysis
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Severe fractures
  • Herniated discs
  • Internal injuries
  • Burns

Many of these life-changing injuries and deaths are the result of negligence on the part of the construction companies whose responsibility it is to implement safety training, safe working procedures, and regular safety checks of the worksite.

KINDS OF CONSTRUCTION SITE ACCIDENTS

When safety standards are not adhered to in a construction worksite, many different types of accidents can result. These are a few of the more common ones:

  • Crane accidents
  • Collapse of roof or scaffolding
  • Falls
  • Lifting or operating equipment failure
  • Electrocution
  • Explosions
  • Fires

WHEN WORKERS’ COMP FALLS SHORT

Workers injured on the job are covered by Worker’s Compensation. But Workers’ Comp usually does not fully compensate the injured worker for all the losses associated with the accident. While it covers medical expenses, it will not compensate non-economic damages—pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, mental anguish, and so forth. From the perspective of the person living with a catastrophic injury, these damages may be more devastating than the financial ones.

THIRD PARTY NEGLIGENCE

When a worker suffers extensive damages beyond what Workers Compensation covers, it may be possible to recover compensation for losses from a third party that can be shown to have been negligent. At any construction site there are a number of parties who share the responsibility for worker safety and who could have been negligent in some way: the general contractor or any of the various subcontractors, the owner of the property, an architect, an  equipment manufacturer, or a supplier, for example, all carry some degree of responsibility for the safety of the workplace, and the negligence of any one of these could have contributed to the accident.

In a worksite accident with serious injuries, it is important to consult a lawyer who has the experience to know where to look to determine who may have been either fully or partially responsible for the breach in safety procedures that led to the accident.

EXPERIENCED CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS IN SEATTLE

As experienced construction accident attorneys with a long record of success, the lawyers at Wattel & York know what goes into finding and proving negligence in construction site accidents. We have construction safety specialists on hand to investigate the circumstances of an accident, examine safety protocols, and determine where they weren’t followed and who was responsible for the lapse. We are master negotiators and skilled litigators, so if a full and adequate settlement is not forthcoming, we will never hesitate to try your case before a jury.

At Wattel & York, we understand that Workers’ Compensation falls far short of being just compensation for many losses serious construction accidents. We are committed to protecting the rights of individuals and their families who have become victims of negligence in the workplace. If you or someone you know has been injured working on a construction site in Seattle or anywhere in Washington, call us to schedule an appointment for a no-cost, no-obligation review of your accident. You’ll have no out-of-pocket expenses because we accept cases on a contingency fee agreement. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain, because you will never pay legal fees or expenses unless we recover money for you.