Construction Accident Injury Lawyers Proudly Serving Nevada
The Las Vegas construction accident lawyers at Burg Simpson Law Firm understand the complexities of workplace injury–and construction accidents are among the most complex. Unique among workplaces, construction sites often have a mix of employees and independent contractors, further muddying the process of establishing liability and seeking fair compensation, and demanding the attention of a skilled and effective workplace injury attorney.
You may be eligible for workers’ compensation for injuries suffered on a construction site. You may also be entitled to file a personal injury claim and seek compensation from third parties, including equipment manufacturers, contractors, and property owners, who have contributed to your injuries through negligent or reckless actions. Our team of experienced construction accident attorneys is here to listen to your story, review your options, and help you decide how best to move forward.
To arrange a FREE and confidential case evaluation with one of our Las Vegas construction accident attorneys, call Burg Simpson at 702-668-2070 or reach out to us online today. We fight for construction workers dealing with serious injury throughout Nevada.
Common Causes of Construction Accidents in Las Vegas
Construction sites are hazardous. If proper safety standards are not followed, accidents are unavoidable. Sadly, even when protocols are followed to the letter, the dangerous nature of working in the building trade can result in catastrophic injury.
Some of the most common causes of serious construction accidents include:
- Falls from Heights. This includes falls from scaffolding, ladders, roofs, and unsecured platforms.
- Falling Objects. Loose tools or materials can fall from heights, causing injuries to workers below.
- Equipment Accidents. Accidents involving heavy machinery like forklifts or excavators, power tools, or vehicles like dump trucks, can lead to severe injuries.
- Structural Collapses. Unstable structures can collapse, trapping or injuring workers.
- Caught-in/Between Accidents. Structural collapses, equipment malfunctions, or improper handling of materials can crush workers in between objects.
- Electrocution. Inadequately insulated power lines, faulty equipment, and similar issues can cause electrocution accidents.
- Trench Collapses. Unsecured trenches can collapse, burying workers and causing suffocation or crushing injuries.
- Exposure to Hazardous Substances. Workers can be exposed to harmful chemicals or materials, causing burns, poisoning, or long-term health problems.
According to OSHA, falls, electrocution, being struck by an object, and being caught between two objects are the most deadly types of construction accidents. Known as Construction’s Fatal Four, these combine to produce the largest number of deadly accidents on construction sites in the United States every year. However, most construction site accidents are not fatal, resulting instead in injury that will have to be dealt with for years to come.
Types of Construction Accidents Our Las Vegas Attorneys Handle
At Burg Simpson, our Las Vegas construction accident lawyers are equipped to handle a diverse range of construction accidents, offering our clients the expert legal counsel they need to seek justice. We have experience with OSHA’s Fatal Four as well as equipment accidents, chemical exposure, and more. No matter the type of construction accident you’ve been involved in, we are ready to provide our expertise to your claim.
Each construction accident is unique, but certain elements, such as a disregard for safety protocols, frequently serve as catalysts for serious injury on construction sites. Some of the most common contributors to construction accidents in Nevada include:
- Generally Unsafe Work Environments
- Lack of Adequate Safety Gear
- Insufficient Protection Against Falls From Heights
- Absence of Safety Guards on Tools or Supplies
- Trip and Fall Hazards
- Hazardous Machinery
- Faulty Equipment
- Ill-prepared or inexperienced workers
We carefully investigate these accidents to identify all possible causes and contributing factors. We are prepared to hold each liable party to full account for the damages you have suffered.
Common Construction Accident Injuries
There are several potential causes of construction accidents. The cause and severity of the accident will play a direct role in the injuries that result. Some of the most common construction accident injuries are:
Broken, Fractured, or Pulverized Bones
Fractures can occur from falls, being hit by falling objects, or accidents involving machinery. While they may seem insignificant, even a relatively minor fracture can have far-reaching consequences, including nerve damage, joint irregularities, and other potentially limiting outcomes.
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
Falls, collapses, or equipment accidents can lead to injuries to the spinal cord, potentially resulting in partial or complete paralysis. SCI may cause temporary or permanent loss of bowel and bladder control, sexual dysfunction, and more. The lifetime cost of living with SCI often reaches millions.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Falling objects, falls from heights, or blunt force trauma can cause TBI, an issue that often has long-term cognitive and physical effects. TBI increases the risk of premature death two to three times, along with risks for seizures, neurodegenerative disease, and other potentially fatal complications.
Burns
Fires, explosions, or contact with hot equipment or hazardous chemicals can cause severe burns. Depending on the degree of burn, permanent disfigurement and loss of ability are both possible after these injuries.
Amputations
Serious accidents can result in amputation, either at the time of the accident or as a necessary medical procedure afterward. This includes injury sustained from power tools, loss of circulation, or as a result of severe burns or electrocution.
Illnesses from Exposure
Long-term exposure to certain chemicals or materials can lead to serious illnesses, including respiratory disease and cancer. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly nine percent of workplace fatalities involve chemical exposure on construction sites. Exposure to chemicals and other hazardous materials is not always fatal, however. Thousands of workers experience serious injury due to improper protection from hazardous materials every year.
If you have sustained a serious injury from a construction accident that you believe will significantly affect your life, our Las Vegas construction accident lawyers are ready to evaluate your claim for free to assist you in determining your next best steps.
Understanding Damages in a Construction Accident Claim: Workers’ Comp or Personal Injury Claim?
When you’ve been injured in a construction accident, it’s important to understand the difference between workers’ compensation and a personal injury claim. Each of these has its distinct benefits and limitations, but neither is ideal for every case. Working with an attorney who handles both types of cases can help ensure you understand which option is likely to result in the best outcome.
Workers’ Compensation Claims
Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that provides wage replacement and medical benefits to employees injured in the course of employment. If you are in the employ of a company working on a construction site when you are injured, you can typically file a workers’ compensation claim, no matter who was at fault for the accident. This is a distinct benefit of workers’ comp. You don’t have to establish liability to seek compensation.
In Nevada, your workers’ comp claim will provide coverage for medical bills related to your injury along with compensation for travel to and from appointments. Workers’ compensation also covers a portion of your lost wages until you are deemed fit to return to work. By accepting workers’ comp benefits, you typically forfeit the right to sue your employer for negligence, even if their actions directly contributed to your accident.
If you are not in the direct employ of someone else, you will not be eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim. Independent contractors in Nevada only have the option of filing a personal injury claim.
Personal Injury Claims
A personal injury claim arises when your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence or misconduct. This means it will have to be shown that someone else is responsible for your injury before you can seek compensation. In construction accidents, liable parties may include a contractor, equipment manufacturer, property owner, another worker, and anyone else who contributed–however insignificantly–to your accident.
Whereas you are limited to compensation for medical expenses and ⅔ of your weekly wages through a workers’ comp claim, through a personal injury lawsuit, you can seek damages for:
- Economic Damages. These are specific, quantifiable losses resulting from your accident. They include medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, home remodels, assistive technology, and other issues with a direct cost or economic impact.
- Non-Economic Damages. These are less tangible damages, often without a clear dollar value, that significantly impact your life all the same. They include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.
Navigating the complexities of construction accident claims can be a daunting task, especially while you’re trying to recover from your injuries. Our experienced Las Vegas construction accident attorneys are here to help.
At Burg Simpson, we understand the intricacies of both workers’ compensation and personal injury claims. We are here to review your case free of cost and obligation to assess your options, help you understand your rights, and guide you toward the best course of action.
Personal Injury vs. Workers’ Comp: Is the Statute of Limitations the Same?
The statute of limitations is not the same for workers’ comp and personal injury claims in Nevada. You have two years to file a personal injury claim in the Battle Born State. (See NRS: Chapter 11) You have 90 days from the date of a workplace accident to file a workers’ compensation claim. (See NRS: Chapter 616A) Failure to take action within either of these timeframes will impact your ability to file each specific type of claim.
We strongly encourage you to reach out to our construction accident lawyers as soon as possible, no matter which direction your claim may go, to ensure you do not run out of options.
Following many workplace accidents, insurance companies and attorneys for the employer, project manager, or worksite supervisor will get to work immediately to try and minimize their losses. The sooner you talk to an attorney, the quicker you can be protected against the predatory tactics these parties often use to cheat injured workers out of fair and full compensation.
You have options for seeking compensation after a workplace accident. Before they expire, get in touch with Burg Simpson to schedule a complimentary case review and learn which will serve you best.
How Can a Las Vegas Construction Accident Lawyer Help?
Construction accident claims can be complex due to the involvement of multiple parties, insurance companies, and regulations. Navigating the legal process can be challenging and stressful, especially while trying to recover from serious injuries. The skilled Las Vegas construction accident lawyers from Burg Simpson can help by:
- Investigating the accident thoroughly to determine liability
- Gathering evidence and expert testimony to support your claim
- Negotiating with insurance companies to secure a fair settlement
- Filing a lawsuit and representing you in court if necessary
- Securing the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries, lost wages, medical expenses, physical pain, and emotional suffering
Successful workers’ compensation claims typically resolve within days, enabling injured workers to begin receiving compensation within a month. Personal injury claims take much longer to resolve, though many are settled within three to six months.
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, only around three to four percent of personal injury claims go to trial. Over 95 percent of these cases are resolved during the negotiation process, well before a trial is necessary. When a trial becomes inevitable, a claim may take two years or more to resolve. This additional time can be frustrating, but court verdicts are often much more significant than settlements achieved during mediation.
Our Nevada office, under the guidance of experienced trial attorney Jack F. DeGree, prepares every case for trial, even if it is likely to settle during negotiations. This enables us to provide the most relevant and compelling representation every step of the way, no matter which direction a claim goes.
Contact a Las Vegas Construction Accident Lawyer Today for FREE!
Burg Simpson is a national law firm with more than 40 years of experience providing effective representation for victims of serious, debilitating, and life-altering injuries. We stand by injured construction workers and are ready to take claims as far as necessary to help secure the most significant compensation.
Good Lawyers. Changing Lives.®
If you or someone you love has been involved in a construction accident, Burg Simpson is here to help. Contact us online or call our Las Vegas office at 702-668-2070 to schedule your FREE and confidential case evaluation today. Our construction accident attorneys fight for workers and their families throughout Nevada.
