Alabama Construction Accidents: Attorneys, Liability and Damages
Construction workers may make up only a small portion of the workforce in the United States, but construction accidents account for over 400,000 injuries per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. These accidents also occur in Alabama, causing injury to Alabama construction workers and bringing up questions of legal liability and damages.
While there are a variety of Alabama construction accidents, many are caused by negligence in the workplace. This can include failure to ensure workplace safety by replacing old equipment or using proper safety equipment, lack of training, improper work methods or unsafe conditions on Alabama construction sites. Traumatic brain injury, contusions, falls, broken bones, inhalation of poisonous gases, electric shocks, and injuries sustained while working with heavy equipment are just a few of the common Alabama construction accidents.
Who is Responsible?
On an Alabama construction site, the prime contractor is responsible for job safety on the construction site and for ensuring that the construction site complies with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations. These OSHA regulations require prime contractors to take the helm on these safety issues because they have an umbrella view of the work needed on a construction site; prime contractor responsibilities include coordinating work schedules, monitoring workers and providing equipment.
When subcontractors are involved in a construction site, they assume responsibility for compliance with OSHA rules and making sure that jobs are performed safely under safe working conditions. Since the prime contractor still has primary responsibility, the burden of responsibility is shared between both prime and subcontractor, no matter who hired the employee who is ultimately injured in an Alabama construction accident.
Compensation For Alabama Construction Site Accidents
Federal workers’ compensation laws govern Alabama construction site accidents. These workers’ compensation laws require employers to cover costs such as medical bills, future medical care and wages lost due to an Alabama construction site accident for both long- and short-term injuries. Workers’ compensation funds may also cover costs such as vocational rehabilitation for construction workers who are unable to return to their prior duties or training to help an injured employee get a new job.
If other parties are involved in an Alabama construction site accident, such as the suppliers of defective equipment or anyone who is not the employer yet endangers job safety, a civil lawsuit may be filed against the responsible party to collect damages for injuries and lost wages. An experienced Alabama construction accident lawyer can help you identify possible secondary parties and/or file a civil claim to recover these damages.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a construction accident, contact an Alabama construction accident attorney for legal advice on your options. Your Alabama construction accident lawyer can clarify the laws and help you determine who was at fault in your Alabama construction accident. Fill out our case evaluation form for a no-cost, no-obligation evaluation of your Alabama construction accident case by an experienced Alabama construction accident lawyer. |