While structural failures are rare in the modern-day United States, they can and do still happen, often with catastrophic results for dozens or even hundreds of people at once. To make matters even worse, figuring out who should be held accountable for a collapse after it happens can take years of investigative and forensic work—to say nothing of how challenging it can be to recover compensation from liable parties.
Fortunately, you have help available from capable and compassionate construction accident attorneys with experience handling situations much like yours in effective and proactive ways. At Shook & Stone, we are not afraid to tackle your unique case from every angle at once. A Las Vegas building collapse lawyer at our firm could guide you through the process of demanding financial recovery through personal injury litigation, workers’ comp coverage, or potentially both.
Who Is Liable After a Building Collapse?
The question of who bears civil fault for a structural failure of any kind often has multiple answers, since almost every modern construction project has hundreds of people employed by several distinct companies. In general, though, liability for injuries sustained in a building collapse depends on how and why the collapse happened and sometimes on the reason a particular injured person was in the structure when it collapsed.
For example, a collapse that can be traced back to a failure to follow architectural blueprints might impose civil liability on the company or companies directly involved in the collapsed building’s construction. In contrast, a fault in the building’s design would likely impose liability on the company or individual(s) responsible for making that design, rather than whoever was employed to execute it. In other situations, fault may lie with a building owner or tenant who failed to maintain their property in reasonably safe condition by promptly addressing regular wear and tear. Identifying exactly who should be held accountable for a particular injury is one of the most important services our skilled Las Vegas building collapse attorneys can provide.
Getting Paid Fairly for All Available Damages
It probably comes as little surprise to hear that building collapses very often result in debilitating and sometimes life-threatening injuries to people caught up in them. With that in mind, it can be especially important when filing suit over a building collapse—or while pursuing compensation in some other way—to account for expected long-term losses in addition to short-term ones, including:
- Personal property damage
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Lost overall enjoyment of life
- Lost work income or working ability
- Emotional and psychological distress
- Emergency medical bills and expected costs of future rehabilitative care
If you were hurt in a structural failure while working on a Las Vegas construction site or while you were working in some other industry, our seasoned lawyers might be able to help you recover through a workers’ compensation claim in addition to pursuing personal injury litigation.
Contact a Las Vegas Building Collapse Attorney Today
In the chaotic aftermath of an unexpected building collapse, it’s understandable to be overwhelmed and unsure about exactly what steps you should take to recover from your injuries and your ensuing losses. It’s worth emphasizing, though, that you may not have long to take legal action; thus, you should consider consulting with qualified legal counsel as soon as possible.
A conversation with a Las Vegas building collapse lawyer from Shook & Stone could provide answers to pressing questions and information about your recovery options. Call today for your free consultation.
