Construction sites are dangerous places. Of all the accidents that could happen at a construction site, slips and falls are the most common. Sometimes, people suffer nothing worse than embarrassment when they fall; other times, falls can cause severe injuries and even death.
When you get hurt in a Las Vegas construction site slip and fall accident, speak to a knowledgeable lawyer at Shook & Stone. Our firm’s seasoned construction injury attorneys have decades of experience helping injured workers collect compensation for their injuries. They can evaluate your legal options and help you pursue damages after a slip and fall.
Falls at Construction Sites Are Common
A construction site is a hazardous place to work or visit. Walkways are often cramped and uneven, people perform different jobs simultaneously in a confined space, and surfaces may be wet. Tools and materials might be left or stored in areas people must move through.
Many jobs at construction sites require workers to perform their tasks above ground level. The risk of suffering a serious injury in a slip and fall accident increases if a worker falls from a height.
Contractors and their workers are often pressured to complete jobs quickly and might not be as careful as they would be otherwise. Shook & Stone’s slip and fall attorneys are experts at evaluating construction site accidents in Las Vegas and determining whose carelessness or recklessness contributed to the incident. In many cases, an injured worker has the basis for a claim against a third party.
Bringing a Third-Party Claim for Damages
When you are injured on the job, workers’ compensation pays for your medical care and a partial wage while you cannot work. However, you are still out-of-pocket for the portion of your wage workers’ compensation does not cover, and receive no compensation for the pain, suffering, and inconvenience of the injury.
Although you cannot sue your employer, you could sue any third party whose negligence contributed to the slip and fall. Depending on the circumstances, there are usually many third parties who could bear responsibility, including:
- Safety inspectors
- The property owner
- The project manager
- Materials manufacturers
- Other contractors working at the site
Any person, company, government agency, or employee whose action or inaction could have prevented the incident is potentially liable for a construction site slip and fall accident in Las Vegas.
Once one of our experienced lawyers identifies the parties responsible, they could assert a claim for your losses. Damages could include:
- The portion of your wages workers’ compensation doesn’t cover
- Compensation for your pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life
- Any unreimbursed costs related to treating and accommodating the injury
If the injury prevents you from resuming your former job, damages could also include a sum reflecting your diminished earning capacity.
Immediate Legal Action Yields the Best Results
Legal time limits apply whenever you sue someone for injuries resulting from their negligence. Nevada Revised Statutes § 11-190(4)(e) requires an injured person to file a lawsuit within two years of their injury.
If the city could be a defendant in a lawsuit, you must provide official notice within six months of the incident. You might have a claim against the city if they own the property or contracted for the work. You also might have a claim if a city inspector failed to catch a condition that led to your accident.
It is wise to engage a qualified Las Vegas lawyer as soon as possible after you suffer a slip and fall injury on a construction site. Investigating construction accidents can be challenging or even impossible once significant time has passed. It is the nature of construction sites that conditions change quickly, so immediate investigation is likely to yield the most valuable evidence.
Consult a Las Vegas Attorney After a Construction Site Slip and Fall
If you were hurt in a slip and fall accident on a construction site, workers’ compensation might not be your only source of funds. In many cases, a third party could be liable.
Contact Shook & Stone immediately if you suffered injuries in a Las Vegas construction site slip and fall accident. Your initial consultation is free, so learn about your legal options and make an informed decision. Call today.
