Catastrophic Injuries
Indiana Construction Site Accidents & Worker Injuries
Whether it is raising new buildings and other infrastructure, or repairing and maintaining Indiana’s interstates and highways, construction work accounts for one of the most dangerous occupations in the Hoosier state.
In addition to the unpredictable nature of the physical worksite, construction workers must also be on guard for the haphazard actions of fellow workers and/or the general public.
Having previously helped Hoosier construction workers and their families, Boulton Law Group has investigated the cause of several worksite accidents that led to a number of common injuries.
Common Causes of Construction Site Accidents
Indiana’s construction workers face a multitude of everyday dangers while on the job, however, there are four particular hazards that account for some of the most serious injuries and/or loss of life:
- Falls – The construction and repair of Indiana office buildings, bridges, and sports arenas will eventually require a number of workers to practice their trade at great heights, leaving the potential for falls if safety standards are not adhered to and/or safety equipment fails.
- Electrocution – Exposed wiring and standing water are electrocution concerns for construction workers.
- Struck by object – While all construction workers are required to wear hardhats, depending on the size of a falling tool or debris, the potential for traumatic injury from discarded objects is always present.
- Caught in/between – Construction vehicles and various machinery are always in motion during a day’s work, and there have been a number of serious injuries and deaths attributed to being “caught in or between” a machine and/or building framework.
And while these mishaps are not the only causes of Indiana construction worker injuries, they do have the potential to account for the more serious types, including those mentioned below.
Traumatic Construction Site Injuries
In 2019, Indiana accounted for 21 construction worker fatalities, and this marked a 32.26% from Indiana’s 2018 total of 31 construction worker fatalities. (The only industry to surpass 2019’s number was ‘transportation and warehousing’ with 29 fatalities.)
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Free Case ReviewIn addition to fatal injuries, Indiana construction workers also risk facing a number of other traumatic injury types, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Severe burns
- Lacerations
- Crushing or degloving injuries
- Injuries that require amputation
Injured Hoosier Construction Workers: Next Steps
Indiana’s construction workers have a few potential options to pursue compensation for their injuries after a worksite accident, however, liability factors will play a determination in specifying these types of recovery:
1.) File an Indiana Worker’s Compensation Claim
Unlike a car accident, construction workers do not need to prove their employer was at fault for their injuries to file a workers’ compensation claim. In the majority of instances, an injured worker will be able to recover compensation for medical treatment that is directly related to a work injury.
For example, if it is found that a construction worker’s rotator cuff is torn due to a repetitive motion he/she performed while on the job, workers’ compensation would likely cover the medical costs for their shoulder repair and/or therapy.
2.) Filing an Indiana Personal Injury Claim
The vast majority of personal injury claims that result from a construction site accident are filed due to the negligence of a subcontractor who failed to provide for a worker’s safety and/or performed a negligent act.
For example, if a construction worker was injured by a skid loader that was operated by a negligent subcontractor, the worker may have the right to seek compensation for pain and suffering in addition to medical costs and any current or future lost wages.
3.) Product Liability Claim
Each year, tools and other construction site machinery are responsible for injuries to a number of Indiana construction workers. If it is believed that a tool or machinery was defective, there is the potential for a worker and their attorney to pursue a product liability claim.
However, keep in mind, to be able to pursue the manufacturer of a particular tool or piece of machinery, it must be proven that the injury was not caused by the worker or co-worker’s own negligence and was indeed a result of a defective product design or part.
No matter the type of claim you believe you have, Boulton Law Group recommends that you ask an experienced Indianapolis construction site injury attorney to review your potential case.
Injured on an Indiana Construction Site? Talk to Matt.
Attorney Matt Boulton has more than 20 years’ experience helping injured Hoosiers recover compensation for their personal injury claims. In addition to motor vehicle accidents, Matt also counsels Indiana’s construction workers following a serious worksite mishap.
If you were injured on the job and are unsure of your rights, you can contact Matt directly for free and friendly legal advice. If you prefer to write to us, use the firm’s confidential contact form. Matt personally reviews every contact received at the firm.
No matter your personal situation, you are always welcome to ask Matt for his advice on what your next steps should be. Boulton Law Group’s Zero Fee Guarantee promises that you owe the firm nothing until we win your case.
Author Matt Boulton
