Cross & Smith LLC
205-391-0618

Birmingham Construction Accident Attorney

Each Birmingham construction accident attorney at Cross & Smith is experienced in premises and product liability law. Cross & Smith offers comprehensive personal injury representation and individualized attention to every client. Conveniently located in the Landmark Center, our Birmingham office provides compassionate service to victims injured in construction accidents caused by negligence.

Dangers in Construction Areas

Construction zones are modern minefields dotting the urban landscape. From falling planks and platforms to shooting nails, potential injuries abound. The trend toward faster building and less regulation of the construction industry has made the job more dangerous. These risks are amplified by a system of awarding contracts to the lowest bidder and setting impossible deadlines for completion. Construction accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

  • Falls from ladder
  • Electric nail guns
  • OSHA violations
  • Collapsed scaffold
  • Exposure to toxins
  • Traffic interference
  • Electrocution, burns
  • Caught in machinery
  • Lack of protective gear

Construction Accidents and Premises Liability

Property owners and parties in control of the property, such as general contractors, in Birmingham and elsewhere in Alabama have a duty to keep the premises and work area safe. Often, the contracts executed between the parties to a construction project will contain language regarding responsibility for job site safety. In addition, state and federal law impose certain requirements for the prevention of construction site accidents and injuries. And, Alabama law provides that parties in control of the property are responsible for protecting invitees from unreasonable harm. Invitees may be workers, guests, and other parties on the property at the express or implied invitation of the party in control of the property and there was a business purpose or material benefit for the invitation. Workers rendering services on a construction site provide a material benefit to the party in control of the work area. Property owners breach this legal duty when invitees are injured by a dangerous condition on the premises. A dangerous condition may be anything from an obstruction that causes a slip-and-fall injury to an ungrounded socket causing third-degree burns. In addition to the property owners, managing parties like employers, engineers, foremen, and contractors all have a responsibility to eliminate or repair dangerous conditions. Failure by these parties to train workers, perform safety inspections, and properly fence off dangers in a construction area may constitute negligence.

Falls on Construction Sites

Falls are a common cause of construction site injuries as many jobs performed by construction workers are executed from a considerable height. Examples of conditions that cause these falls to take place include:

  • A collapsed scaffold
  • Ledges and floor holes that are not clearly marked or safeguarded
  • Working in inclement weather conditions
  • Defective or improperly used ladder
  • Lack of appropriate safety gear
  • Improper maintenance causing slipping and tripping hazards

Construction Site Electrocutions

Electrically powered tools and machinery are a common sight on construction sites and a significant source of injuries seen by our Birmingham construction accident lawyer. Some of the more common causes of electrocution are:

  • Power Lines: High-voltage power lines are often found on or near construction sites. Contact with one of these lines can cause serious burns or even death.
  • Extension Cords: Extension cords are often used on construction sites, and are all too often kept loose and uncovered. This causes them to become frayed and the plugs to become warped, leading to an increased chance of electrocution. 
  • Improper Machine Maintenance: It is imperative that the equipment used at construction sites be frequently inspected as it is often exposed to the elements and can easily become damaged.

“Caught In” Injuries on Construction Sites

“Caught in” injuries occur when a worker is caught between two objects. Examples include:

  • A worker being pulled into machinery by loose clothing
  • A worker that is crushed between two objects, such as a truck bed and a dock wall
  • A worker that is run over by a large vehicle, such as a road grader
  • A worker installing piping on a site that requires substantial excavation being crushed by a collapsing wall

“Struck By” Injuries

A “struck by” injury occurs when a construction worker is hit or struck by an object. Examples include:

  • A piece of equipment falling from scaffolding, striking a worker on the ground
  • Use of a power tool causing a piece of material to become loose, fly through the air and strike a nearby worker
  • A load that is being lifted on a construction site being improperly secured, causing an item to fall and strike a worker
  • An absence of proper barricades causing a worker to be struck by a moving vehicle

A Birmingham Construction Accident Attorney Can Also Help with Injuries Caused by Product Defects

Construction workers are often injured by the tools of their trade. While some call construction accidents “occupational hazards,” injuries caused by equipment malfunctions and defective machinery are clearly preventable. Manufacturers have a legal duty to ensure products are safe before they enter the market. This protects consumers and workers who would otherwise fall from shoddy ladders, lose limbs to faulty power tools, or suffer chemical and electrical burns. Any flaw in the construction, design, or packaging of the product can be fatal to the end user. Manufacturers must either identify and correct the defect or warn consumers of the dangers to meet their legal duty. Otherwise, they may be strictly liable to parties injured by the defective product. Of course, it is not up to the victim to realize what laws apply. A Birmingham construction accident lawyer would evaluate your claim and outline all responsible parties and applicable laws.

Workers’ Compensation for Injured Construction Workers

Most employers in Birmingham and across Alabama are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This program provides benefits to injured employees, regardless of fault. The law in Alabama provides certain limited benefits to employees injured on a construction site accident. These benefits are specific and set out in the Code of Alabama. In addition to workmen’s compensation benefits, employees may have a third party claim against, for example, the property owner, a general contractor or product manufacturer. A complete and detailed investigation of a construction site accident is necessary to determine which, if any, third parties may be liable for the workmen’s injuries. Third party claims require proving fault, but provide the opportunity for monetary damages that are not allowed by workmen’s compensation. If a third-party claim is made, the workmen’s compensation insurance carrier will have the right of subrogation for certain benefits paid. This issue should be addressed as part of the third party claim or lawsuit. An injury award should reflect the liability of not only the employer, but other workers, their employers, subcontractors, and third parties common in construction projects. It should also include “off-site” parties like negligent property owners, engineers, and manufacturers responsible for the injury. Because accidental injuries in construction often involve multiple issues, the ability to recover from all liable parties in a civil suit results in a far greater verdict or settlement for the victim than a single insurance payout.

Call an Experienced Birmingham Construction Accident AttorneyToday

If you were injured in a construction site accident, contact a skilled Birmingham construction accident attorney of Cross & Smith today. Our attorneys have extensive experience litigating complex cases involving premises and product liability. Whether you were harmed by a dangerous condition or defective product, Cross & Smith researches all liable parties and represents your rights. By controlling the size of our practice and limiting our caseload, we are able to provide each client with personal attention, creating an effective strategy for individual needs. As a result, our seasoned attorneys have been able to recover substantial awards for injured victims in Birmingham and across Alabama. At Cross & Smith, we treat your case with the utmost importance, helping you recover the compensation you need. Call (877) 791-0618 for a free consultation or contact us online.

Related Topics:

Liability of a General Contractor

Liability of a Premises Owner

Liability for Defective Tools and Equipment

Investigating Construction Accident Cases

Hear What Our Clients Have To Say

"My father-in-law was involved in a horrible traffic accident. The firm was great at handling all of his questions. In the end they got him a great settlement, but the thing he remembers most is that the people at the law firm cared about him as a person. I would highly recommend them to anyone in need of legal services."
Posted By: Jaimie Copeland

Read More Reviews