Minneapolis Construction Accident Attorney

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), construction is one of the deadliest industries in America. In 2015, one in five worker deaths were in the construction industry. The leading causes of construction site accidents, injuries, and fatalities are falls, being struck by an object, electrocution, and being caught-in/between equipment or other obstacles. Eliminating what OSHA calls the “Fatal Four” would save more than 600 lives every year. If you’ve recently been involved in a construction accident as a worker, bystander, or third party, protect yourself with help from an attorney. Contact Knutson + Casey, your hometown construction accident attorneys in Minneapolis.

Types of Construction Accidents in Minnesota

In addition to the four leading causes of construction site deaths, there are several other hazards that cause thousands of personal injuries and illnesses. Construction work is dangerous by nature and comes with a high risk of injury. At Knutson + Casey, we’ve represented many clients who suffered injuries on construction sites. These injuries are wide-ranging and can affect virtually every part of the body. The most common types of construction accidents in Minnesota include:

  • Slips, trips, and falls
  • Falls from heights
  • Struck by moving equipment
  • Construction vehicle accidents
  • Crush injuries from heavy equipment
  • Falling debris or tools
  • Fires and explosions
  • Building or trench collapses
  • Hazardous materials and chemicals
  • Heat exhaustion or overexertion
  • Repetitive motion injuries

Construction site workers can suffer limb amputations, permanent scars, disabilities, broken bones, head and brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and respiratory disease from hazards in the workplace. Most construction site accidents are preventable with proper training, supervision, and safety gear. Employers may be guilty of failing to properly equip workers for a job, such as failing to train them to use personal protection gear to prevent falls. If this is the case in your accident, you may want to pursue a personal injury lawsuit instead of a workers’ compensation claim.

Workers’ Compensation vs. Third Party Injury

After a construction accident, you may have to make a decision: file for workers’ compensation or pursue a personal injury claim against your employer? Sometimes it’s possible to do both. In Minnesota, an injured worker can receive workers’ compensation benefits and file a claim, if the claim is against a third party. Construction accidents often involve third parties, such as motor vehicle drivers near the site, subcontractors, and product manufacturers.

If your construction accident involved a third party, you can likely file a claim. If, however, your employer is responsible for causing your accident, you may have to decide which route to take. There are pros and cons to both types of claims. The workers’ comp program compensates injured construction workers regardless of fault. This removes the burden of proof from you and means you don’t have to prove that your employer’s negligence caused your accident.

However, workers’ comp does not give the same compensation as a successful personal injury settlement or verdict. With the latter, you could receive payment for your medical bills, lost wages, disability, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. A workers’ compensation claim will only end in payment for medical bills, disability, and a portion of lost wages. The lawyers at Knutson + Casey have experience with multiple types of construction and workplace accident claims and can help you decide which legal action to take.

Seek Help from our Team

At Knutson + Casey, we offer free initial consultations so injured workers can talk to an attorney at no cost or obligation. We want to discuss your construction accident and help you understand your rights. You may have grounds for a lawsuit based on strict liability, product liability, premises liability, or another form of negligence. Call (507) 344-8888 to speak to a Minneapolis construction accident attorney today.