Can a Bystander Sue if Injured in a Construction Accident?

Construction sites could be very dangerous, not only to an employee but to a bystander as well. Many construction companies try to take several precautions, however, thousands of bystanders are injured daily because they were at the wrong place at the wrong time. The majority of these accidents could be avoided if a person simply took the necessary precautions.

Construction accidents involve multiple elements that a construction accident attorney must have to prove. That’s why it is important to hire an experienced California construction accident attorney that is not only aware of California labor codes but also the federal employment standards in place for construction workers. Our attorneys have represented construction accident victims for years, and are fully prepared to take on your case. To determine if you have a valid construction accident case, contact our attorneys today for a free consultation.

During your initial free consultation, we will review the different circumstances of your case and determine if you have a valid claim against the defendant. We then determine what type of Damages you could potentially recover from the defendant.

How Often Do Accidents Occur in Construction?

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration:

• 1 and 10 construction site workers are injured every year
• Fall hazards are the leading cause of injury construction sites
• There are around 150,000 construction site accident injuries every year
• Those construction workers between the ages of 25 and 34 years old are most likely to be injured at a construction site
• Construction site injuries involve back and spine injuries
• Around 1,000 construction workers died on the job in a year
• 15% of workers compensation costs are spent on construction workers
• One in five deaths are among construction workers in the construction industry
• 7 out of every 100,000 construction workers suffer a fatal injury
• Falls account for 33% of all construction injuries
• Injury rates in construction are 71% higher than in other employment industries
• More than 25% of construction workers have reported that they have not come forward with the construction injuries they have suffered
• 60% of construction accidents occur during a construction employee’s first year at work
• 25% of construction workers worry they’re going to be injured
• 55% of construction workers believe that they should receive more training
• 67% of construction workers feel as though there should be more safety precautions in place
• The average cost of a construction injury was $42,000
• Construction companies save around $5 for every $1 invested in a safety program for their employees
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration penalties against construction companies range from $14,000 to $150,000
• 130,000 construction workers miss days from work due to an injury
• The total cost of construction injuries was around $11.5 billion

What Are Common Causes of Accidents in Construction?

There are a couple common ways in which bystanders could be injured at a construction site. These instances include:

• Falling objects: this is one of the most common instances where a bystander is injured at a construction site. This occurs when a bystander is walking by a construction site and a construction site is improperly controlled and unsupervised. For example, falling objects could include debris, cranes, scaffoldings, and tools. Construction companies have a duty to bystanders to prevent any incidents like this by properly maintaining all objects and making sure they’re all secured. Falling objects could result in very severe injuries such as death or traumatic brain injuries.
• Slip and fall: this occurs when a bystander trips on an object that a construction employee has left out. One of the most common objects that a bystander trips on is construction employees’ tools that have been left to the side. Slip and fall could also lead to traumatic brain injuries and broken bones. Construction companies have a duty to bystanders to securely place the objects away from where a bystander would be walking.
• Exposure to hazardous materials: this occurs when construction workers leave toxic materials out negligently and fail to properly put them away. Construction workers improperly dispose of toxic materials which could harm bystanders. Exposure to hazardous materials could result in damage to the lungs and face.
• Vehicle accidents: this occurs when there is a car accident that has occurred with one of the construction vehicles. Because construction vehicles are very heavy, they must be driven with specific caution. Construction vehicles can cause very severe damage when they hit a bystander. This could result in death or traumatic brain injuries.
• Noise pollution: recently, there has been a surge of instances where construction sites have been operating very loud machinery. Construction employees have not been taking proper precautions, and so this has resulted in many construction workers who now have to deal with hearing loss. Bystanders who may also pass by these construction sites may suffer hearing loss due to the construction employee’s failure to take precautions.

Who Are the Defendants in a Bystander Construction Accident?

All construction sites have to adhere to California and federal regulations. This includes maintaining a safe environment in order to prevent any accidents. There are certain parties that could potentially be liable in a construction site accident. These parties include:

• Architects
• Construction workers
• Construction Site designers
• Engineers
• Manufacturers of construction equipment
• Subcontractors
• Contractors
• Landowners

Since each case is different, there is a variety of different defendants that could be potentially liable. That is why we offer a free, no-risk consultation to determine who is liable for your construction injury accident case.

Contact Our Construction Accident Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one have been injured while you were a bystander at a construction site, contact our attorneys today to determine if you have a solid construction accident claim. Construction accident claims need strong evidence of negligence on the defendant’s part. Our attorneys will work to determine how the defendant was negligent, and how they caused your damages. We are available through phone, email, or in person. Our attorneys have decades of experience helping injured clients from California and Nevada. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Construction is a very important factor in our cities. For growing cities such as Los Angeles and Las Vegas, there needs to be constant construction done to keep up with the community. That is why, unfortunately, construction accidents are bound to happen. Bystanders can take certain precautions to prevent construction accidents. We advise bystanders to always avoid being around a construction site whenever possible. This includes walking around a construction site if possible or constantly being alert when passing the construction site.

Unfortunately, despite the many precautions that a bystander could take, accidents are still bound to happen. When they do, you are entitled to full compensation for your injuries. Our attorneys are on your side and available to take on your case.

***Disclaimer: This page is created by Heidari Law Group for educational purposes. This article provides a general understanding of the law. It does not provide specific advice. By using this site and reading through this page, there is no attorney-client relationship created between you and any member of Heidari Law. Further, due to the constant change of the law, some parts of the information above may no longer be good law.