Connecticut Construction Accident Attorney
By its very nature, construction work is more hazardous than most other careers. The uneven surfaces of job sites, the presence of heavy equipment and power tools, the need to work on unstable structures or many feet in the air, and the potential for live electrical wires all contribute to circumstances where accidents are likely to happen.
Many construction sites have strict safety protocols, and the industry also has oversight and requirements from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
However, sometimes workers or employers can be careless, cutting corners that cause accidents. Or construction site visitors may not take the proper precautions to protect themselves when touring the site and can trip over uneven ground or electrical cords, or something may fall and hit them.
Whatever the reason for an accident, the results are usually severe and sometimes fatal. In fact, construction accident deaths accounted for 27.1% of all Connecticut workplace fatalities in 2018.
If you’ve been injured in a construction accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim for your damages. Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge are local Connecticut construction accident lawyers with experience handling all types of workplace injury claims. Call us today to discuss your case.
Common Causes of Construction Accidents
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the most common construction accident in 2020 involved contact between a person and a piece of equipment or another object. These types of accidents could include incidents like the following:
- Being struck by a falling or flying object, or a discharged object
- Being struck by a rolling or swinging piece of equipment
- Being struck against an object or piece of equipment, both stationary and moving objects
- Being compressed or caught between stationary or shifting objects or pieces of equipment
- Being caught in running machinery
Construction and extraction workers are often injured due to contact with an object on a construction site. Securing equipment and objects is one of the most important parts of construction site protocol.
These aren’t the only construction accidents that can happen at a Connecticut job site; they are just the most common. Both residential and commercial construction sites are full of hazards that can create serious accidents and catastrophic injuries.
Other common construction accidents include:
- Scaffolding accidents or falling from heights
- Electric shocks or burns from live wires
- Slip and fall or trip and fall accidents
- Crane accidents or those involving other heavy machinery
- Explosions and fires
- Hazardous chemical or material exposure
- Defective or malfunctioning equipment or tools
- Structural collapses
Some construction site accidents involve more than one person. The safety procedures on job sites and the supervision of the foremen play a large role in preventing construction accidents.
Ensuring that all workers are properly trained for their jobs is essential, as is making sure that each employee and site visitor follows the safety procedures, including wearing a hard hat, adhering to lockout/tagout protocols, and paying close attention to where tools and objects are at all times.
However, even with safety practices and procedures, accidents can happen when a piece of equipment or tool malfunctions. If the tool had a flawed design that made it dangerous, or if there was a problem in the manufacturing process, then the tool or equipment company may be responsible for the accident or injury.
A construction accident lawyer can help determine who is accountable for your accident and injuries.
John Kennedy Jr.
Founding Partner
John J. Kennedy, Jr., is the founding partner of Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C. In 1988, John formed Kennedy & Johnson, along with David Johnson. John is an accomplished trial attorney, spending most of his more than 42 years practicing in Connecticut, representing injured clients before juries.
Common Construction Accident Injuries
Construction accidents can cause severe injuries, such as:
- Concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones or fractures
- Lacerations, contusions, and deep cuts
- Burns from a fire, explosion, or electric shock
- Crushing injuries and internal organ damage
- Involuntary amputation of toes, fingers, or limbs
- Partial or total paralysis
Sometimes, construction workers are killed on the job site or may suffer such serious injuries that they cannot recover. If this has happened to your loved one, speak to a construction injury attorney at Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge about filing a wrongful death suit.
Have You Been Injured at a Construction Site?
Construction site accidents can have life-changing, catastrophic consequences. If you’ve been hurt in an accident you didn’t cause, we can help. The Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge team are experienced Connecticut construction site accident attorneys, and we’re your legal advocates at mediation and in the courtroom.
Don’t go through this challenging process alone — contact us today for a free consultation about your case!
Construction Accidents FAQs
Can I File a Personal Injury Claim for a Construction Accident If I Receive Workers’ Compensation?
Sometimes. It depends on the circumstances of your accident. If you were hurt by the negligence or recklessness of someone on the job site, or if your employer failed to make the site safe, then your workers’ compensation claim should cover your medical bills, emergency treatment, and follow-up care.
However, suppose your construction injury lawyer determines that the injury happened because of a defective or malfunctioning tool or piece of equipment. In that case, they might file a suit against the manufacturer or designer of the equipment.
When your construction accident law firm investigates your case, they will look at the equipment or tool that caused the accident to determine whether there is a claim against the manufacturer.
What Kinds of Damages Are Recoverable After a Construction Site Accident?
Typically, your construction injury lawyers will file for economic and non-economic damages.
Your lawyer might determine that the construction company, property owner, or equipment and tools manufacturer was particularly negligent. If that is the case, they might also seek punitive damages against that party.
Economic damages are the total of your medical bills, aftercare, and any personal property that may have been damaged in the accident. They may also include any lost wages from time you missed at work because of the accident and your recovery.
Non-economic damages include pain and suffering from your injuries and compensation for emotional trauma or mental anguish. Construction site accidents can be terrifying, and it’s not uncommon for people to develop anxiety or PTSD afterward.
You may have experienced disfigurement, chronic pain, or the inability to enjoy hobbies or activities you once did because of the extent of your injuries. Although no amount of money can restore your quality of life, non-economic damages give you compensation for your suffering.
Finally, punitive damages are a form of economic punishment for a property owner, construction company, or equipment manufacturer whose gross negligence contributed to your accident. These damages are a deterrent to prevent such actions from happening again.
How Much Is My Construction Accident Settlement Worth?
Your settlement will depend on how serious your injuries are and whether your construction injury attorney will be seeking punitive damages. Each case is unique, but trust the legal team at Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge to fight for the largest settlement on your behalf.
How Much Does a Construction Accident Lawyer Cost?
At Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, we work on a contingency basis. Our fees come from your settlement — you don’t have to pay a penny upfront! You don’t have to pay us if we don’t win your claim.
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15 N. Main Street #100 Suite 217
West Hartford, CT 06107
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