Construction work is demanding and often dangerous. When accidents occur and injuries result, workers deserve full coverage for their medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Unfortunately, construction companies and their insurers often fight aggressively to avoid paying fair compensation. A Grand Junction construction accident lawyer can help level the playing field by holding negligent employers and third parties accountable while protecting your rights throughout the claims process.
At Veritas Injury Lawyers, our seasoned personal injury attorneys provide strategic, aggressive personal injury representation for clients across the Western Slope, including the Glenwood Springs, Montrose, and Aspen areas of Colorado. With decades of experience in the insurance industry, we can anticipate insurance companies’ moves to prepare for negotiation and litigation.
Construction Accident Causes & Liability
If you have been hurt, the last thing you need is an inadequate compensation offer from the insurance company. With construction accident injuries come medical bills and lost wages, perhaps for a lifetime. You need compensation that will cover these losses and allow you to keep providing for your family for as long as is necessary.
Our lawyers represent clients in Grand Junction who have suffered all kinds of construction accidents, including those involving:
- Crane or hoist accidents
- Electrocutions
- Falling debris
- Falls from heights
- Gas leaks, fires, and explosions
- Highway construction accidents
- Malfunctioning heavy machinery
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Scaffold and ladder falls
- Struck by or against accidents
- And more
Construction sites involve many parties and moving parts, so it can be tough to determine liability in these cases. This is why reaching out to an attorney as soon as you can after your accident is vital—we can conduct a thorough investigation of the accident scene and determine the cause. For example, if a machinery defect caused your accident we will go after the manufacturer. If the construction site wasn’t up to code, we may go after the contractor.
How Do Third-Party Claims Work After a Construction Accident?
While workers’ compensation provides important benefits regardless of who caused the injury, it does not always represent the only source of financial recovery. In some situations, an injured worker may also have a third-party personal injury claim against someone other than their employer.
Unlike a workers’ compensation claim, a third-party claim is based on negligence. To succeed, it is generally necessary to show that another person or company failed to use reasonable care and that this negligence contributed to the accident and resulting injuries. Because construction sites often involve multiple contractors, subcontractors, equipment suppliers, and vendors working together, determining whether a third-party claim exists requires a careful investigation of the accident. Meet with a construction accident attorney in Grand Junction today.
Who May Be Liable in a Third-Party Claim?
Construction projects rarely involve only one company. General contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, property owners, equipment rental companies, manufacturers, and outside vendors may all be working on the same job site. While your employer may provide workers’ compensation benefits, another company may bear legal responsibility if its negligence contributed to the accident.
For example, a subcontractor may leave debris in a walkway, creating a dangerous tripping hazard. A property owner may fail to correct known unsafe conditions. An equipment manufacturer may produce defective machinery that malfunctions during normal operation. An outside contractor may create hazardous electrical conditions or improperly install scaffolding. Each situation requires a detailed evaluation of the facts by a Grand Junction job site injury attorney to determine who may be legally responsible.
How Third-Party Claims Differ From Workers’ Compensation
One of the most significant differences between workers’ compensation and a third-party personal injury claim is the types of damages that may be available. Workers’ compensation benefits generally provide medical treatment and partial wage replacement without requiring proof of negligence. A third-party claim, however, allows an injured worker to pursue additional damages that workers’ compensation does not typically cover.
Depending on the circumstances, a successful third-party claim may include compensation for the full amount of:
- Lost income
- Future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Other damages recognized under state law
Because construction accident claims in Grand Junction often involve substantial losses, accurately documenting both the accident and the long-term impact of the injuries with the help of a lawyer is extremely important.
Investigating Third-Party Liability
Identifying third-party liability often requires an investigation that extends well beyond the initial accident report. Construction sites change rapidly, and evidence can disappear as work continues. Equipment may be repaired or replaced, hazardous conditions corrected, and witnesses reassigned to different projects. Acting promptly helps preserve evidence before those opportunities are lost.
At Veritas Injury Lawyers, our attorneys investigate construction accidents in Grand Junction by reviewing safety records, maintenance logs, contracts between companies, OSHA findings when applicable, witness statements, photographs, and other available evidence. Our experience on the insurance defense side gives us valuable insight into how insurance companies evaluate liability and defend construction accident claims. We use that knowledge to anticipate potential defenses and build the strongest claim possible on your behalf.
Pursuing Every Available Source of Compensation
Serious construction accidents often result in lengthy recoveries, permanent disabilities, and significant financial hardship. Limiting your recovery to workers’ compensation benefits alone may not fully address the impact the accident has had on your life when another party’s negligence contributed to your injuries.
Determining whether a third-party claim exists is one of the most important steps following a serious construction accident. At Veritas Injury Lawyers, we carefully evaluate every Grand Junction construction accident case to identify all potentially responsible parties and every available source of compensation. Our goal is to protect your rights, maximize your recovery, and provide the guidance you need while you focus on healing.
Contact a Grand Junction Construction Accident Attorney Today
After a construction accident, identifying every available source of compensation is just as important as documenting your injuries. Whether your claim involves workers’ compensation, a third-party negligence claim, or both, taking action early can help preserve evidence and protect your legal rights.
At Veritas Injury Lawyers, we combine our local knowledge with decades of insurance defense experience to build strong claims for injured construction workers. We will investigate your accident, identify all potentially responsible parties, and fight for the compensation you need to move forward. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Grand Junction construction accident lawyer to discuss your case and learn how we can help.
