Construction Site Fall Accidents

Falls at construction sites are very common and often result in serious or fatal injuries. In fact, nearly 33% of all construction site fatalities are due to falls. Sadly, most falls are preventable. The Occupational Health Safety Administration (OSHA) promulgates regulations to prevent falls and other construction site accidents. One such requirement is that employers must provide safety equipment and gear to prevent construction workers from falling if they are working at a height of six feet or higher.

Construction site falls can cause serious injuries such as broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, back and neck injuries, amputations, and sometimes death. Such severe injuries may require prolonged hospitalization, multiple surgeries, and extensive rehabilitation. In extreme cases, the worker may suffer a permanent disability that prevents him or her from being able to return to work in the construction field. It is important in these cases to consult with a knowledgeable construction accident attorney who can advise you as to all potential theories of liability under which you may be able to recover.

If you are injured at a construction site in Memphis or elsewhere in Tennessee, you will likely be able to file a workers’ compensation claim by reporting your injury to your employer. Under workers’ compensation laws, the employer will be responsible for all of your medical bills and expenses, and you will also be entitled to temporary total or partial disability benefits if you miss work due to your injury. If you suffer a permanent impairment as a result of your fall, you may also seek permanent partial or total disability benefits based on your vocational disability.

Workers’ compensation is typically the only remedy for construction site fall victims that occur during working hours. However, in some cases where an outside party’s negligence contributed to your injury, you may be able to file a third party claim seeking recovery for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. This third party claim will be a completely separate claim from the workers’ compensation claim. If your employer violated OSHA regulations, then you may also have a separate claim based on those violations.

You should contact an experienced attorney to assist you as soon as possible after a workplace injury, but particularly so in a construction site fall where you may be able to bring multiple claims against multiple parties. Statutes of limitations are strict deadlines, so you must settle your claim or file a lawsuit to preserve your claim within that period of time or you will forever lose out on your right to recovery. These deadlines apply regardless of how serious your injuries may be.