Needham Construction Accident Lawyer

Working on construction sites is difficult. Not only is the work often physically demanding, but it is also very dangerous. Accidents are somewhat common, but sometimes, workers are so catastrophically injured that their lives are forever altered. Whether your injuries are big or small, you should contact an attorney for help.

Construction accidents vary significantly from case to case and often depend on the type of work performed on the job site. Faulty equipment, injuries from electrical shocks, and crushing accidents are just a few frequently claimed examples of construction accidents. To prove your claims, we can obtain copies of important records surrounding the case. This may include records about safety procedures on the construction site, your medical records, and investigative reports from authorities such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Receive a private, free claim review from our construction accident attorneys when you call the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407.

How Construction Accidents May Occur

Most construction sites are vast areas filled with machinery, tools, and workers performing various tasks. Safety is paramount on a construction site, and accidents can occur if safety procedures are not followed or implemented. Below are just a few examples of possible accidents.

Faulty Equipment

Many accidents result from damaged, faulty, or defective tools or equipment. Power tools and heavy machinery can be dangerous even when they are working correctly. If they malfunction, they may injure unsuspecting workers.

Injuries from faulty power tools or machinery can be severe. For example, a defective circular saw might cause serious lacerations or even amputate limbs. In such a case, our construction accident lawyers can file a case against the company that manufactured the defective product and possibly include others within the chain of sale, like the retailer who sold it to you.

Shocks and Burns

Much of the equipment on a construction site is electrical. Not only that, but workers often have to work around exposed electrical wiring, which can be very dangerous if the wires are live. It is not unusual for workers to be shocked or burned by electrical wiring or equipment. In serious cases, workers are badly burned or electrocuted.

These kinds of injuries often occur because someone was negligent. An electrician might have mistakenly left the power on while wiring was exposed, causing an unsuspecting coworker to get shocked.

Crushing Accidents

Some of the most painful injuries on construction sites come from crushing accidents. Workers often have to lift and move large amounts of heavy materials, and equipment like forklifts is often necessary. If a forklift operator loses control of the vehicle or is poorly trained on how to operate it, they might lift heavy materials and accidentally crush someone with it.

Crushing injuries are often severe. You might have numerous fractures and internal injuries throughout your body. Some people are so badly injured that they do not survive.

What Records to Obtain or Keep After a Construction Accident in Needham

When proving your claims in court, we may rely on extensive records related to the construction site and your employer. We may also need records about your injuries and various other damages.

We can obtain copies of your medical records to help us prove your injuries, damages, and expenses. Since you have a right to your own medical records, this should not pose much of a problem. However, it may take time to gather all the necessary records, so we should request copies from your doctors as soon as possible.

It may be more challenging to obtain copies of records about the construction site, as they are likely in the defendant’s control. We may find safety records, accident records, and records indicating that supervisors knew about hazardous conditions to be extremely helpful to your case.

Many accidents, especially severe accidents, lead to investigations. For example, if someone reported your accident to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), they may have investigated and written reports on their findings. These reports may help us determine whether the defendant is responsible.

People You May Sue for Construction Accidents and Injuries

The people potentially responsible for your injuries may be hard to say at this time. It may be a good idea to review some common culprits with your attorney to get your case started. As our investigation progresses, we may find that people other than those we initially thought are implicated.

Property Owners

Typically, when a property owner hires a general contractor or construction firm to start a project, they step back from the whole thing. Property owners often do not have control over what happens on a construction site, so they are typically not liable for accidents. However, some owners might be more involved and may be implicated in your accident.

One possibility is that the property owner failed to inform you or your employer about dangerous conditions on the property before you started work. If these dangerous conditions directly caused your injuries, we should consider suing the property owner.

Contractors

Contractors are the driving force behind construction projects, and depending on whether they hired you, they may be held liable for an accident.

General contractors are hired to oversee the entire construction site. They may hire subcontractors to perform more specialized tasks, such as plumbing or drywall. If the general contractor hired you, they may be responsible for the unsafe conditions that led to your accident. If a subcontractor hired you, they might be implicated instead.

Third Parties

Sometimes, accidents happen because of people who are not even present on the construction site. A common third-party implicated in accidents is the manufacturer of tools or equipment. If these items are damaged or defective, the company that made them and supplied them to you may be held responsible.

We must show that you did not know the item was defective and that you were using it safely and for its intended purpose. If you were misusing the tool or knew it was malfunctioning, the manufacturer may not be held responsible.

Speak to Our Needham Construction Accident Attorneys to Review Your Case

Receive a private, free claim review from our construction accident attorneys when you call the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407.