Lansing Construction Accident Lawyer

Construction workers have an increased risk for some of the most serious types of workplace injuries, leaving them to struggle with mounting financial costs and a long recovery period.

I would like you to know that I was very happy with the choice that I made in retaining your company... I was completely satisfied from start to end.

– D. Livings

At Jay Trucks and Associates, we understand there are long-term physical, emotional and financial challenges following a construction injury. We have been helping injured victims and their families in Michigan for more than 30 years. Our Lansing construction accident attorneys have recovered more than $500 million for our clients, including $415,000 for a construction worker who suffered a severe left knee injury and a $175,000 recovery for a worker that suffered lower back injuries. If we represent you, we are prepared to pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.

An initial consultation is available to you at no cost and no obligation. This free opportunity enables us to assess the merits of your case and discuss your legal options. There is no risk if you hire our services and no upfront fees. We are not paid unless we achieve compensation for you.

Do I Have A Case?

Construction site accidents often cause serious, life-threatening injuries because of the high-risk nature of the job. However, before any attorney can determine whether you may have a valid case for compensation, we must first understand more about the incident, such as:

• Where the accident occurred
• What was happening immediately prior to the accident
• Whether the accident involved machinery or other equipment
• The name of the site supervisor
• Whether you are employed by the construction site or a passerby
• If the equipment was being properly used at the time of the accident

At Jay Trucks and Associates, we have extensive knowledge of the many state and federal laws that could impact your potential claim.

Who May Be Liable for a Construction Site Injury?

Construction site accident cases are often complicated because there are multiple other parties who may be liable, including:

• Construction site or property owners
• Machinery manufacturers
• Equipment suppliers
• Site supervisors
• Contractors or subcontractors
• Architects and engineers

These parties, and others, may be held liable for damages caused by an accident for reasons that include, but are not limited to:

• Negligent hiring processes, including failing to verify a worker has appropriate experience and training
• Inadequate job site supervision, including a failure to ensure workers adhere to OSHA and other industry safety standards
• Defective machinery or other equipment
• Failure to provide proper training for contractors and other workers
• Failure to provide and enforce the use of industry safety gear, such as work gloves, reflective work vests, hard hats, and safety harnesses

Our Lansing building site injury attorneys are prepared to thoroughly investigate the accident that caused your injuries and determine all potentially liable parties.

What is My Case Worth?

No two cases are the same, which is why we recommend that you hire an experienced Lansing construction accident attorney to assess the merit of your claim and determine any contributing factors.

There are many types of compensation that may be available to you following this type of injury, which we can discuss further in your free consultation. Generally speaking, if we find your claim has merit, you may be eligible to pursue one or more of the following legal actions:

• Workers' Compensation Claim – In Michigan, most employers are required to provide employees with workers' compensation to cover medical expenses and provide a temporary income for work-related injuries. For qualifying injuries, workers do not have to prove negligence.
• Personal Injury Lawsuit – If you are eligible for workers' compensation, you are most likely barred from suing your employer. However, if a third party contributed to the accident, you may be able to pursue a lawsuit against that party. Additionally, if you suffered an injury as a non-worker pedestrian or driver while walking or driving past the site, you may also have a valid case. In a personal injury lawsuit, you must prove that either negligence or a deliberate act caused you to suffer harm.
• Wrongful Death Claim – If a worker is killed in a construction accident due to negligence, a personal representative may file a wrongful death claim on behalf of his or her estate. Eligible family members may receive compensation for hospital and medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, pain and suffering, and lost income, including future earnings.

Michigan's Construction Industry Safety Regulations

In Michigan, there are certain industry safety regulations that building sites are required to follow.

Federal safety laws, as established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), requires the enforcement of industry-specific safety standards, including, but not limited to:

• Adhering to regulations for building a secure scaffolding
• Placing scaffolding a minimum of 10 feet from any sources of electrical power lines
• Using the right ladder for a task and adhering to maximum intended load limits
• Ensuring walkways and stairways are free of debris or other hazardous items
• Provide treads to protect against slip hazards on all stairs and landing areas
• Using a forklift according to safety standards, such as never moving a load over an area where there are workers

Additional state regulations are enforceable by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA).

Guidelines for Workers' Compensation Claims

If you are eligible for workers' compensation after suffering a construction site injury, it is important to follow these guidelines to help avoid delays or denials for your claim:

Reporting the Accident

You should report the accident immediately according to your employer's policy. If you leave the site before notifying your employer, it leaves room for him or her to argue that your injuries could have happened elsewhere.

Can You Choose Your Doctor?

For workers' compensation claims in Michigan, you will likely have to obtain treatment from your employer's preferred treating physician for the first 28 days following your accident. After that time, you are required to inform your employer if you would like to continue treatment under the care of your own physician.

Could My Employer Dispute My Injury?

Employers do sometimes dispute claims for workers' compensation following an on-site injury. Common reasons for these disputes or outright denials may happen if you:

• Failed to report the accident or file your workers' comp claim within the deadline
• Were working while under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident
• Had a pre-existing injury
• Were injured after engaging in horseplay or a fight with another co-worker
• Were not on-duty when the accident occurred

Our knowledgeable lawyers can assess the reason for your workers' compensation denial and determine whether you may have grounds for an appeal.

Common Construction Site Accidents

There are many reasons that construction site accidents happen, especially in an industry where there are so many potential safety risks. Some of the most common causes include:

• Being struck by falling debris or other objects
• Scaffolding accidents
• Electrocution
• Getting caught in between equipment, objects or structures
• Violation of industry safety practices
• Accidents caused by a slip and fall
• Forklift or other equipment accidents
• Explosions and fires
• Ladder accidents
• Exposure to toxic chemicals
• Lack of proper safety gear and other industry-required protection
• Missing guardrails
• Injuries caused by faulty or improperly used power tools

What to Do After a Construction Accident Injury?

There are a few steps you can take to try to preserve your claim for compensation:

• Get Immediate Medical Care – Protecting your health is the top priority, so it is important to be examined by a medical professional immediately following the accident. Even if you do not see a visible injury, you could have suffered a traumatic brain injury, internal organ damage or be bleeding internally. In addition to ensuring any injuries are identified and stabilized, the medical record created will also help to link your injuries to the accident.
• Report the accident – As for workers' compensation claims, any accident or injury that occurs on the job site or is work-related should be reported immediately or as soon after the accident as possible.
• Document and gather evidence – Recording information at the scene of the accident, or as soon after as possible, will help you to capture important details that may help to strengthen and protect your claim:
  • Get the name and contact information of any eyewitnesses
  • Take pictures of the accident scene, including debris, machinery, fallen structures
  • Photograph your injury after ensuring you are stabilized and out of danger
  • Take ongoing photos throughout the days, weeks and months of your recovery
  • Keep track of all related costs – including receipts and invoices for treatments, surgeries, counseling, physical therapy and medication
  • Start a journal to document how your recovery progress, pain levels, emotional status each morning and night. Include details about how the injury has affected your daily life.
  • Follow doctor's orders – Continue to follow your doctor's orders for treatment, medication and any follow-up appointments. This helps to validate the extent of your injuries and document your recovery progress.

Contact A Lansing Construction Accident Attorney Today

Our firm has been advocating for injured victims in Michigan for over 30 years and recovered more than $500 million on their behalf. At Jay Trucks and Associates, we have the experience, knowledge and resources to handle every step of your construction accident claim.

We are prepared to fully investigate your claim, gather supporting evidence and determine the potential liability of all involved parties. There is no risk to you since we take these cases on contingency. This means, no upfront costs to you and no payment for our services unless we achieve a successful recovery for you.