Construction Accident Attorneys in Lee’s Summit, MO
Aggressive lawyers for construction site injury victims in Missouri
Even though workplace accidents can happen in any profession, there are certain industries that present unique dangers for workers. The construction industry is one where workers have to perform under dangerous conditions on a regular basis. Because construction workers are constantly working in unsafe conditions, it feels like only a matter of time before you are injured in an accident. Instead of doing what is fair and just for the injured employee, construction companies will do everything in their power to avoid paying a workers’ compensation claim. This is why you need an aggressive Lee's Summit construction accident attorney in your corner.
At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, our Lee’s Summit construction site accident lawyers have been fighting for injury victims for 30 years. Our experienced lawyers explain when you need to prove negligence and when you don’t in order to file and win a claim. We know how to prove when construction site owners failed to follow federal safety regulations and local building guides. Our team works with your physicians to explain all your injuries, how the injuries affect your ability to work, and show the scope of your pain and suffering.
How prevalent are injuries in the construction industry?
There are about 126,000 construction workers in Missouri. While it’s not the industry with the greatest number of workers – that distinction appears to go to transportation – it is one of the deadliest industries we have.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that “about 20% of worker fatalities in private industry in calendar year 2019 were in construction – accounting for one in five worker deaths for the year.”
What type of hazards on construction sites cause accidents?
There are multiple opportunities for construction workers to become injured on the job. Some of the common hazards found on construction sites that cause accidents include:
- Trench collapse. Construction workers use trenches to assist with plumbing, gain access to an underground area, or to bury electrical wires. Trench accidents can put construction workers’ lives in danger, from falling into a trench to collapsing and trapping construction workers to dying from asphyxiation.
- Falls from heights. Falling from higher places is one of the most common construction accidents. Construction workers must receive the proper training on how to work at particular heights. Wearing additional protective equipment like a body harness can prevent construction workers from falling off of ladders or cranes.
- Electrical hazards. On construction sites, there are many exposed wires and faulty wiring. Construction workers are in danger of being electrocuted or from arc flash accidents. Arc flashes happen when an electrical current travels through the air. Arc flash incidents can cause burns, flying objects, and a blast pressure.
- Exposure to loud noise. From explosions to power tools, construction workers are consistently working in a loud environment. Being around noise consistently will cause long-term hearing problems. Noise can also be a distraction, and workers can zone out, increasing the chances of a workplace accident.
- Unsafe entrances to/exits from the site. A leading cause of construction site accidents are vehicles – namely, trucks entering and existing worksites, and cars driving around through work zones. A construction worker can easily be hit by another construction vehicle or passing car or truck.
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How will construction companies attempt to avoid workers’ compensation claims for injured workers?
Just like other employees, most construction workers are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for their injuries. Construction workers can miss large amounts of work due to the injuries sustained from a workplace accident. Workers’ compensation benefits help workers pay for medical expenses and cover lost wages from missed time from work. However, there are times when construction companies will avoid paying for a workers’ compensation claim. Some of these methods include:
- Misclassification of employee status. For employees to receive workers’ compensation benefits, employees must be classified as employees. Some construction companies will misclassify employees as independent contractors to avoid paying for a worker’s injuries.
- Hiring out-of-state employees. Construction companies will hire workers that live out of the state to avoid paying for coverage. However, some states have started to require companies to provide coverage for all workers, regardless of how long the employee will remain in their employment.
Know that even if you are eligible for workers’ compensation, you can still file a personal injury lawsuit instead if that is a better option for you. If a defective product, like a faulty drill or a defective scaffold, caused your injuries, you can file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer. Our Lee's Summit workers' compensation lawyers and construction accident attorneys can discuss these options with you during your free consultation.
Why did my company’s insurance deny my construction accident claim?
Some of the reasons why construction companies will deny a workers’ compensation claim include:
- The injury did not happen at the workplace. Employees have to be in the process of work-related tasks to receive compensation benefits.
- The employee did not notify the employer of the workplace injury within the necessary time period. When construction workers are injured at the workplace, they must notify the employer as soon as possible. When construction workers fail to notify employers of workplace injuries, receiving workers’ compensation benefits will become more difficult.
- The employee did not seek medical attention. It is very important for employees to receive immediate medical attention for any workplace injury, regardless of whether they believe medical attention is necessary or not. This action helps the employee collect evidence of the workplace injury and makes it difficult for their employer to deny their claim in the future.
- The employee’s injury was the result of playing around on the job. Workers’ compensation benefits are not available to employees who play around while on the job and cause their own injury. Employers may argue a worker engaged in horseplay and is ineligible for benefits.
- The employee’s injury stems from a pre-existing condition. Employees can only receive workers’ compensation benefits for injuries that occurred as a result of their job duties. Employers will attempt to argue that an employee had a pre-existing condition before working and that the job is not responsible for making the condition worse.
How can a Lee’s Summit construction site accident attorney help me?
The experienced team at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys investigate the accident site as soon as possible and begin working with your physicians to show the extent of your injuries and how they’re preventing you from working and enjoying life. Let us fight for compensation on your behalf. We understand the dangers of construction site accidents and how these accidents affect your ability to return to your normal routine. Our team is ready to help.
Is there a Lee's Summit construction accident lawyer near me?
Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys has offices in Lee’s Summit office at 200 NE Missouri Road Suite 200. Please call for an appointment. Our law firm also has offices throughout Missouri and Kansas.
Experienced Lee’s Summit construction site lawyers
At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, our lawyers take the tough cases, and we fight for victims with severe injuries. We fight to hold construction companies liable for the medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering they cause. To discuss your construction site accident claim, call us at 816-290-7621 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation.
Lee's Summit Office
200 NE Missouri Rd, #200
Lee's Summit, MO 64086