Who Can Be Held Liable in a Construction Site Accident in Denver?

Construction is a dangerous industry by nature, with injury risks such as heavy machinery, hazardous materials and working from heights. Unfortunately, careless or negligent parties can make construction jobs even more unsafe than they already are.

If a construction site accident in Denver causes a serious injury or death, the victim or victim’s family may have the right to file a claim in pursuit of financial compensation. The responsible or liable party will depend on the circumstances.

General Contractor

The general contractor is the individual or company responsible for overseeing a construction project. The general contractor must supervise the project from start to finish, as well as manage vendors and communicate key information – including safety information – to all involved parties.

If a harmful construction site accident in Denver occurs because of an OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) violation, the general contractor could be held liable. This party could also face liability for an accident caused by a variety of safety issues in the daily operation of the site.

Subcontractors

A subcontractor is an independent contractor (self-employed) who performs specific tasks as part of a larger construction project. Subcontractors are hired by general contractors. If a subcontractor causes an injury due to negligent acts such as making electrical mistakes or failing to properly demolish a building, the individual could be held liable for a victim’s related injuries, medical bills and lost wages.

Owner of the Property

At a construction site, if the owner of the property where the project is taking place does not act in a way that a “reasonable and prudent” owner would have in the same circumstances, he or she could be held liable for a related construction worker injury. A premises liability claim can hold a negligent property owner accountable for accidents caused by property issues, such as faulty structures or ignored premises hazards.

Equipment Manufacturer

If a construction site accident is caused by a piece of faulty or defective equipment, the manufacturer could be held responsible through a product liability claim in Colorado. This type of case seeks compensation from the manufacturer or distributor of a defective product and generally does not require proof of the company’s negligence.

Workers’ Compensation Claim vs. Construction Site Accident Lawsuit in Denver

Recovering financial compensation as the victim of a construction site accident in Denver may be possible through one or more legal outlets. As an injured construction worker, you may have grounds to file a workers’ compensation claim, which is an insurance claim that does not require you to prove fault to receive financial benefits.

If your employer was negligent in causing your injury, however, you may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit, instead. This could result in greater compensation, such as damages for your pain and suffering. If a third party (someone other than your employer) is at fault for the construction site accident, you may be able to recover through both types of claims.

When to Involve a Denver Personal Injury Attorney

Construction site accidents can lead to complex injury claims. Hiring a Denver personal injury attorney to represent you can make it easier to protect your legal rights and achieve the case results that you need to move forward. You can trust your lawyer to pursue justice on your behalf using a personalized legal strategy. You can focus on healing while your lawyer negotiates an insurance settlement or advocates for you in court, if necessary.

To speak to an attorney about a specific construction accident case in Denver, contact Fang Accident Lawyers for a free consultation or call (303) 710-8621.