Blythewood, SC Construction Injury Lawyer

Construction sites in Blythewood are inherently dangerous environments, and accidents can happen in a variety of ways. Often, these accidents are a result of the negligence or recklessness of individuals and can result in significant damage and injuries.

Whether you are a construction worker or someone who has been exposed to a construction site and suffered an injury because of another party’s negligence, you are entitled to compensation. Identifying who is responsible for your injury can be a complex process that requires the guidance of our knowledgeable team. We can help you navigate the complexities of a construction accident case and identify the parties responsible for your damages.

For a free case review, contact our Blythewood construction injury attorneys at Burriss & Ridgeway at (803) 855-1040.

Parties that Can Be Held Liable for Construction Injuries in Blythewood, SC

Construction sites pose a multitude of risks to workers, visitors, and passersby, given the presence of heavy machinery, sharp tools, and moving objects. Even with strict safety protocols in place, accidents can still happen.

Determining who is at fault in such incidents is often complicated, as several parties are usually involved. However, our construction injury attorneys can thoroughly investigate your claim to determine who should compensate you. The following are some of the parties that can be sued for a construction accident in Blythewood:

Property Owners

Property owners are typically obligated to maintain a safe environment for anyone who enters the premises. This includes construction workers, visitors, and anyone else who might have a legitimate reason to be on the property. If a construction worker or visitor is injured because of unsafe conditions that the property owner knew about or should have known about, the owner could be held liable.

However, in order to determine the extent of the owner’s liability, several factors must be considered. These factors can include the nature of the work contract, whether the owner maintained control over the work site, and whether the injured party was an employee or a third-party visitor.

Developers

Developers are essential players in the construction process, usually responsible for managing all aspects of a project from conception to completion. They take care of hiring contractors, securing the necessary permits and approvals, and ensuring compliance with building codes and safety regulations.

However, with great power comes great responsibility, and developers can be held accountable if an accident occurs because of negligence in any of these areas. For instance, if a developer hires inexperienced contractors in an attempt to save costs, it can lead to unsafe working conditions, which can result in accidents and injuries.

General Contractors

General contractors play a crucial role in overseeing and managing construction sites. They are responsible for ensuring that day-to-day operations run smoothly and that all workers operate in a safe and secure environment. This responsibility is generally enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which mandates that general contractors must provide a safe working environment for all workers present on the site.

To meet this requirement, general contractors must provide adequate training to all workers, enforce safety protocols and regulations, and ensure that each worker has the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). This includes, but is not limited to, hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, and steel-toed boots. If a worker is injured because the general contractor fails to meet these responsibilities, the contractor could be held liable for any damages or injuries that occur.

Subcontractors

Subcontractors are responsible for ensuring their workers’ safety while on the job, just like general contractors. They must provide adequate training to their workers so they are familiar with the hazards they might encounter while working.

Subcontractors should also ensure that their workers use appropriate personal protective equipment and adhere to safety protocols. If a subcontractor fails to meet these safety obligations, resulting in an accident, they can be held liable.

Equipment Manufacturers

Sometimes, faulty or defective equipment might be the cause of a construction accident. In such cases, the equipment manufacturer can be held liable for any injuries or damages resulting from the incident. This is because equipment manufacturers have a legal duty to ensure that their products are safe for use.

They are responsible for designing, manufacturing, and distributing equipment that meets safety standards and is free from defects. If they produce and sell equipment that is inherently dangerous or defective, they can be held responsible for any accidents that occur as a result. Also, the manufacturer’s liability in such cases is not limited to the initial purchase of the equipment but extends to any foreseeable use of the equipment, including misuse or abuse.

Designers

Design professionals, such as architects and engineers, are usually responsible for ensuring that the buildings and structures they design are safe and functional and comply with all relevant building codes and regulations. Their work involves a complex process of analyzing, planning, and executing designs that meet the specific needs of a project while also taking into account a range of factors such as environmental impact, structural integrity, and cost-effectiveness.

However, the designer might be held accountable for the consequences if a design flaw leads to a construction accident. This means that they could face legal action and be required to compensate those who were injured or impacted by the accident. For example, if an architect designs a building that cannot safely support the required loads, leading to a collapse and injuries, they could be found liable for negligence or malpractice.

Damages You Can Recover for Injuries Sustained in a Blythewood, SC Construction Accident

Economic damages in a construction accident lawsuit refer to the measurable losses that a victim might incur. These damages are intended to restore the financial state of the victim to what it would have been had the accident not taken place. This could include medical expenses, lost earnings, and property damage. Economic damages can be easily calculated by taking into account the victim’s financial losses and future earning potential.

On the other hand, non-economic damages are not easily quantifiable. These damages refer to the non-monetary losses that a victim might experience as a result of the accident. This could include things like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Non-economic damages aim to compensate the victim for the intangible losses that cannot be easily measured or calculated. They are often awarded based on the severity of the injury, the impact on the victim’s life, and other subjective factors.

Our Blythewood, SC Construction Injury Lawyers Can Help

Call our construction injury lawyers at Burriss & Ridgeway today at (803) 855-1040 for a free case consultation.

$6 Million

The Plaintiff was injured as a result of a failing component of a commercial motor vehicle that fell from the vehicle into the roadway. The Plaintiff brought claims against the owner and operator of the tractor trailer as well as the manufacturer of the vehicle.

$4.1 Million

The Plaintiff was insured as a result of a refrigeration system that malfunctioned, spraying ammonia gas into the Plaintiff's face. As a result of this event, the Plaintiff sustained significant vision loss. The Plaintiff brought claims against his employer and the manufacturer of this system.

$2 Million

The Plaintiff was injured while riding his motorcycle when he collided with another vehicle. This event occurred in the city of Columbia and the Plaintiff sustained significant bodily injury resulting in extensive medical expenses and permanent injury.

$1.8 Million

The Plaintiff was injured when he was rear-ended by a tractor trailer on Interstate 20. The Plaintiff brought claims against the owner and driver of the tractor trailer for his injuries relate to his lower back.

$1.5 Million

The Plaintiff sustained significant injury when she was attacked by a dog while performing repairs on a rental property. The Plaintiff was at the rental property as part of her employment with a rental management agency. She was attacked by the animal and sustained permanent nerve damage in her legs.

$1.3 Million

The Plaintiff was killed as a result of a collision with a logging truck that had been improperly loaded by a timber harvester. The proceeds of the settlement were funded by both the timber harvester and the owner of the logging truck.

$1.5 Million

The Plaintiff underwent surgery to her neck as a result of injuries sustained when she was struck on the head by a piece of loading equipment at her job. The Plaintiff was employed by a national retailer and was engaged in stocking shelves when the piece of equipment failed. After settling her workers' compensation claim, the Plaintiff brought a claim against the manufacturer of this equipment.

$1.1 Million

The Plaintiff brought a claim against a local medical facility for a false positive HIV reading. As a result of this false positive, the Plaintiff lived for 4½ years believing that she had the virus which leads to what she feared was an eventual AIDS diagnosis.