New Orleans Construction Accident Lawyer
Construction sites can be dangerous places, with heavy machinery, heights, and other hazards that can lead to serious accidents. When accidents happen, workers and their families may be left dealing with injuries, medical bills, and lost wages. This is where a construction accident lawyer can help. Construction accident lawyers have a deep understanding of the unique challenges and dangers that construction workers face on a daily basis. They are familiar with the types of injuries that can occur on a construction site, such as falls, electrocutions, and accidents involving heavy equipment. They also understand the various laws and regulations that apply to construction sites, including Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, building codes, and other safety standards.
A New Orleans construction accident lawyer from Palazzo Law Firm can help you navigate these complexities and help you obtain compensation for all your damages. If you have been injured in a construction accident, contact us today to learn more.
Types of Construction Accidents
A construction worker can experience many different types of accidents, including:
- This is the most common type of construction accident. Falls can happen while a worker is working from tall buildings, ladders, roofs, or scaffolds.
- Construction workers are often exposed to live wires and electrical hazards. If a worker is not safe, they can suffer from electrocution, which can cause serious injuries or even death.
- Struck-by accidents. Workers may be struck by falling objects, equipment, or vehicles on the construction site.
- Caught-in/between accidents. These occur when a worker is caught in or between equipment, machinery, or objects, resulting in crushing injuries, amputations, or death.
- Fires and explosions. These can occur when a worker is welding or cutting, or using flammable materials.
- Toxic exposure. Workers may be exposed to toxic substances, such as asbestos or lead, which can cause serious health problems.
- Trench collapses. Trenches and excavations are at risk of collapsing. When a worker is in the trench, they can be suffocated or crushed.
- Machinery accidents. Workers who operate heavy machinery or equipment can be at risk of accidents if safety procedures are not followed.
- Heat exhaustion and dehydration. Construction workers are often outdoors in hot weather. This makes them at risk of heat exhaustion, dehydration, and other heat-related illnesses.
- Repetitive motion injuries. Like office workers, construction workers may also experience injuries from performing repetitive motions over a long period of time, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis.
What are the leading causes of New Orleans construction accidents?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified the four leading causes of construction accidents in New Orleans and nationwide. These so-called Fatal Four together make up about 60% of construction worker fatalities. The fatal four, in order of incidence, are:
- Falls
- Struck by Object
- Electrocutions
- Caught-in/between
OSHA has further identified the most common safety violations that lead to these construction accidents and injuries. Some of these violations involve:
- Lack of fall protection, such as belts, harnesses, hoists and nets
- Negligently erected scaffolding
- Failure to perform lockout/tagout procedures on electrical equipment
- Defective ladders or the wrong type of ladder supplied for the job
- Violations of safety standards for forklifts and other powered industrial trucks, regarding issues such as backup alarms, overloading and operator training
- Negligently erected cranes or unsafe crane operations
When does third-party liability apply to a New Orleans construction accident?
A third party in the employment context simply means a party other than the employer or the employee. Often a third party is responsible for causing or contributing to a construction accident in New Orleans. In those situations, the injured construction worker can pursue a civil claim or personal injury lawsuit against the negligent third party and recover compensation for the full range of legal damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Here are just a few examples of third-party liability for a construction accident:
- A construction worker is involved in a car wreck caused by a negligent or distracted driver while the worker is traveling between job sites or is out picking up or delivering supplies. A negligent driver could also drive onto a construction site or injure a worker in a construction work zone on or near a road or highway.
- A construction worker is working off-site on private property, and the property owner has left the premises in a dangerously unsafe condition unrelated to the construction work. Property owners can be held liable for construction worker accidents in a slip and fall, trip and fall or another premises liability claim.
- A construction worker may be injured by a defective piece of equipment or machinery, such as a power tool or backhoe. If the product was defective when it left the factory, the injured worker may have a products liability claim against the manufacturer.
Get Help after a Serious New Orleans Construction Accident
Construction accidents can have devastating consequences for workers and their families. Hiring a construction accident lawyer can help ensure that injured workers receive the compensation they deserve for their damages.
Speak with an experienced New Orleans construction accident lawyer from Palazzo Law Firm today. Our team has the experience to navigate the complex legal system and hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. Fill out the online form or call 504-433-1442 to schedule a consultation.
