St. Louis Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
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Construction Site
Slip-and-Fall Accidents
There are many hazards that construction workers must deal with every day on the job. Dangerous situations may arise from any number of circumstances, including trenches that are not properly secured, workers who are not properly trained, employers who fail to provide proper safety devices and equipment that is defective or inadequately maintained. slip and fall accidents often cause some of the most devastating construction site injuries.
While slip-and-fall accidents can occur at any jobsite, falling accidents on construction sites are particularly dangerous because workers often work from higher elevations. Dangerous conditions that may lead to a slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accident on a construction site include:
- Cracked cement walkways and steps;
- Construction equipment lying on the ground where workers may walk;
- Uneven scaffolding;
- Potholes, trenches and holes in the floor or roof that are not properly marked; and
- Wet or slippery surfaces.
These types of conditions lead to slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accidents when supervisors, contractors and property owners fail to properly warn workers about them. Cones, signs and warning tape should be placed around dangerous portions of a construction site.
Fatal Falling Accidents
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about half of all fatal falls occur in construction, regardless of fluctuations in overall numbers. Fatal workplace falls declined from 700 accidents in the year 2008 to 617 in the year 2009. Anyone who has suffered a loss in a construction site falling accident would be well advised to seek legal guidance. Workers compensation benefits are available not only for injured victims of construction accidents but also the family of a worker who is killed in a fatal fall accident in Missouri.
Workers' Compensation Insurance
It is not necessary to prove that negligence played a part in a work-related injury for the worker to pursue compensation for the accident. In order to pursue workers compensation benefits in Missouri, the injured worker will have to prove that:
- He or she suffered an injury;
- The injury occurred while conducting work-related activities; and
- The injury prevents the employee from being able to adequately function at work.
Injured construction workers should immediately report their injury to their supervisor and then seek medical attention from a doctor who is part of the employer's insurance plan. In order to prove when and how the accident happened, the worker may have to rely on eyewitnesses. To prove the extent of the injuries suffered, the worker may have to provide his or her medical records.
Third-Party Negligence
Workers compensation benefits only cover losses such as medical bills and a portion of the wages lost while recovering. There are a number of slip-and-fall accidents in which additional compensation is available through civil litigation. In cases where negligence is a factor, injured workers or their families may file a third-party claim against the at-fault party. Examples of such third parties include general contractors, sub-contractors and property owners.
The experienced premises liability attorneys at Page Law have a long history of handling construction- and work-related slip-and-falls throughout Missouri. We know how to get workers the compensation they need while they heal from their injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction fall accident, do not hesitate to call our offices at (314) 322-8515 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.
Missouri Premises Liability
Resource Center
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