Jackson, MS Construction Accident Lawyers

There are a variety of ways in which one can be injured at a construction site. You may have fallen from a ladder or scaffold, been injured on a forklift or crane, been electrocuted or struck by a falling object, or suffered harm while operating a power tool. How you were injured will determine the legal claims and the responsible parties you may pursue. After a workplace accident at a construction site in the Jackson area, a construction site accident attorney may be able to help you recover from the following:

• Your Employer – you may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim with the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission. This is generally the only claim you will have against your employer, and it does not require you to prove that your employer was negligent in any way. Since workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, you merely have to show that your injury happened in the course and scope of employment in order to be compensated for your medical bills, lost wages, and permanent impairment resulting from your work injury.
• Negligent Third Party – you may be able to seek recovery for your injuries and losses from a negligent party such as a negligent motorist or subcontractor. In order to establish negligence, you will need to prove that this third party breached a duty of care to you which caused you to suffer injuries and damages. For example, suppose a subcontractor on a forklift runs over your foot or a material delivery person backs into you with his truck. Unlike with workers’ compensation claims, you may seek pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-economic damages from a negligent third party in addition to recovery for lost wages and medical expenses.
• Negligent Property Owner – property owners have a duty to keep their premises safe for visitors and invitees on the property. If a property owner is aware of a danger, then he or she should warn workers about the dangerous condition or take the necessary steps to correct it. For instance, suppose you are hired to paint the outside of a house and the roof is in such disrepair it collapses onto you. If the property owner is deemed responsible for your injury, then you may be able to pursue a premises liability claim and seek monetary damages for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• Machine or Product Manufacturer – workers injured on construction sites may also be able to seek compensation from the manufacturer of a dangerous product if that product had a marketing, manufacturing, or design defect that caused injury. In that case, you may be entitled to seek, from the manufacturer, compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If the manufacturer misrepresented or concealed the product defect, you could be awarded punitive damages as well.