Denver is undergoing a population surge. Ranked #1 in population growth in Colorado, this increased population has put a strain on private and public infrastructure, as that surge in population has caused a proportional increase in demand for construction. And with an increased demand for construction comes an increase in construction-related accidents.
So whether you were going to a site on a business visit or going to work at one, if you or a loved one has been injured in a Denver construction accident, you may have recourse to bring legal action.
Dulin McQuinn Young is here to help anyone hurt after visiting a Denver construction site to deal with the insurance and legal implications of their accident. We do this to help you get the maximum possible compensation in your case while you focus on your healing.
Get in touch with our Denver injury lawyers by requesting a free construction accident case review today.
Why You Need A Denver Construction Accident Lawyer From Dulin McQuinn Young
You might be wondering why a construction accident would necessitate a lawyer, especially if you’re a worker and your claim would be processed through the workers’ compensation system.
Part of our work at Dulin McQuinn Young is to evaluate the details surrounding your case. Why you or your loved one was injured on a Denver construction site will impact what avenue of the law we will utilize in your case.
Here are some examples to showcase different types of construction accident claims in Denver:
- The victim may be working for the construction company or as an independent contractor and receive a workplace injury. This workplace injury may or may not be eligible for workers’ compensation.
- The victim was an employee injured or harmed by an individual who was not employed by their parent organization, which would allow them to pursue a general negligence action.
- The victim was not an employee of the organization and was visiting under work circumstances. They were offered the highest duty of care and were injured due to the state of the construction site, thus making the property owner potentially open for premises liability action.
- The victim was utilizing a construction tool that malfunctioned. While their injury is processed through the workers’ compensation system, they may file a product liability suit against the defective construction equipment.
- The victim was involved in a pedestrian accident while navigating the construction site. In such cases, it is important to assess liability and consider filing a pedestrian accident claim against the responsible party, such as the construction company or the driver of a commercial vehicle involved in the pedestrian accident.
What to Do After a Denver Construction Accident
There are steps you can take to address your health and preserve any potential legal claims following a Denver construction accident. They are as follows:
- Call 911 for police and medical attention;
- Get witness names and phone numbers, when possible;
- If a driver is involved, get their information;
- Notify your supervisor or manager of the incident. Please note that your employer has limited time to report your injury to the Division of Workers’ Compensation;
- Notify your insurance company as soon as possible to prevent denial of accident-related treatment or coverage;
- Attend all follow-up medical and therapy appointments;
- Do not make any recorded statements to or sign any settlement documents from an insurance company; and
- Speak with an experienced Denver construction accident lawyer.
A Denver construction accident attorney will act quickly to investigate your accident and preserve vital evidence. They will also ensure you are treated fairly throughout the accident claims process.
What Are Your Legal Options after a Denver Construction Site Injury?
If you were injured on a roadway construction site, your legal options depend largely on the cause of the accident. Roadway construction site injuries occur for any number of reasons including but not limited to:
- Distracted drivers;
- Drivers who speed or travel too fast for road conditions;
- Intoxicated drivers;
- Aggressive and reckless drivers;
- Drivers who choose to disobey traffic laws and regulations;
- Weather;
- Poorly designed construction zones; and
- Unsafe construction work sites.
When a driver’s negligence is to blame for a roadway construction site injury, a personal injury claim may be filed against that driver for any accident-related injuries and associated losses. Employers or contractors who fail to maintain safe work sites may be susceptible to a civil personal injury lawsuit related to car accident injuries in Denver.
Cities and municipalities may be held liable for poorly designed construction zones. However, there are special rules for filing personal injury lawsuits against governmental entities. It is even possible for multiple parties to share responsibility for a victim’s roadway construction site accident injuries.
It is vital to discuss any personal injury claim with a construction accident attorney before moving forward. An experienced Denver construction accident attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to identify all liable parties before filing any lawsuit.
In addition, a construction worker should speak with a construction accident attorney in Denver about their ability to file a workers’ compensation claim for injury accidents that do not qualify as personal injury claims.
Common Denver Construction Accident Injuries
Construction accident injuries are among the most serious workplace injuries. Construction workers must work in extreme conditions, perform difficult manual labor, and use harsh chemicals on worksites.
Construction accident injuries can be life-threatening and debilitating. Some common injuries suffered on-site include:
- Broken and fractured bones;
- Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries;
- Serious burns;
- Chemical exposure;
- Head and brain injuries;
- Eye injuries; and
- Hearing loss.
These injuries can cause chronic pain and require extensive, costly medical treatment.
Common Denver Construction Accidents: The Fatal Four
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has identified four leading causes of workplace deaths in the construction industry. These are commonly known as the “Fatal Four” and include falls, struck by an object, electrocutions, and caught-between accidents.
Falls
Falls are the number one cause of construction accident injuries. Construction workers report falling from ladders, scaffolding, roofs, and poorly constructed work surfaces.
Struck by an Object
Multiple projects are happening on construction sites simultaneously with workers busy both on the ground and up high. When workers on scaffolding or ladders drop objects, these items can strike those below causing serious injury or death. Workers carrying construction materials can strike others in the area if they are not careful when maneuvering to a site.
Electrocutions
Construction workers are exposed to bare wiring, overhead power lines, energy conductors, power circuits, and electrical panels. Workers also use power tools and extension cords during rain showers. Lightning strikes also pose an electrocution risk during thunderstorms.
Caught-Between
Construction workers can become caught in or caught between industrial machines, devices, or tools. They can also become caught in a trench, an excavation, or a structural collapse.
Denver Construction Accident Liability and Workers’ Compensation
Construction workers who are classified as employees can typically file a workers’ compensation claim for work-related injuries with their employers. Workers’ compensation is available regardless of fault for an employee’s injuries with the exception of self-inflicted injuries.
Construction workers who are classified as independent contractors may not qualify for workers’ compensation benefits under Colorado law. However, an independent contractor may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit if their construction accident injury was due to someone else’s negligence.
Construction workers who are employees may also qualify to file a personal injury lawsuit if negligence is at issue. These claims offer different and larger amounts of compensation, such as damages for pain and suffering, than workers’ compensation but can be more difficult to pursue.
Liability should not be a factor in a workers’ compensation claim. However, construction workers can benefit from an experienced attorney’s advice and legal expertise when pursuing and receiving their maximum entitled workers’ compensation benefits.
How a Denver Construction Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Construction accident lawyers handle all insurance company correspondence meaning you are not responsible for returning calls or letters to the insurance company. Additionally, they will:
- Assess and calculate your accident-related losses both current and future;
- Demand a just and appropriate settlement amount from any insurance companies;
- Negotiate on your behalf and settle your claim; and
- If no settlement is forthcoming, file a timely lawsuit and take your case to court.
You deserve the best representation available for your Denver construction accident claim. Reach out to the skilled construction accident attorneys in Denver at Dulin McQuinn Young for a complimentary claim review today.
Get In Touch With Denver Construction Accident Attorneys Today at Dulin McQuinn Young
The statute of limitations for circumstances described on this page is mostly two years for general liability actions. So we always encourage those injured in a Denver construction accident to reach out to the Dulin McQuinn Young team sooner rather than later.
The longer you wait in your construction-related accident, the more difficult it will be for our team to recover the maximum possible compensation in your case. That’s why requesting your free consultation with our team is important as soon as you think you have a case. When we examine your case to perform our free case review and analysis, we’ll give you honest insight and advice into your case’s viability.
So don’t delay – reach out to one of our Denver construction accident attorneys. Join the hundreds of satisfied clients who have gotten maximum compensation in their Denver construction accident cases.
