Las Vegas Construction Injury Attorneys

Construction Accidents Lawyers in Las Vegas

Construction plays a major role in the Las Vegas economy, especially since the city attracts thousands of visitors each month. There are several hotels, restaurants, and bars being built constantly. Unfortunately, accidents on construction sites are a serious problem. If you or a loved one has been hurt while working at or being near a construction site in Las Vegas, here is what you need to know so that you can take legal and financial action to make sure you get the compensation you need.

Construction Injuries In Nevada

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were around 50 fatalities in Nevada that occurred at a construction site in a single year. The number of work-related fatalities in Nevada is steadily increasing each year as the state becomes more urbanized. As more construction is needed in Nevada, especially on the Las Vegas Strip, with newly renovated hotels and casinos, the risk of construction accident injuries is at an all-time high. 

Nevada experiences more transportation-related work fatalities than any other state in the United States. The private transportation warehousing industry has the highest number of fatalities in Nevada. The primary reason for this may be the urgency for all trucking companies to meet consumers’ demands. Because of this urgency, not every employee can receive proper training.

Our Las Vegas construction injury attorneys will fight to make sure you get the settlement or judgment you deserve. Construction accidents could result in very severe injuries, oftentimes even permanent physical disabilities that can make it impossible to return to work. One of the best things you can do if you are involved in a construction accident is to hire a top-rated Las Vegas construction accident attorney on your side.

Construction Accidents Statistics In Nevada

• Males account for 98% of construction-related fatalities in Nevada.
• White non-Hispanics account for 65% of fatalities from workplace injuries.
• 85% of work-related fatalities were from employees who had wages and salaries, rather than self-employed independent contractors.

If you or a loved one has been injured during construction, contact our construction accident injury attorneys today. Nevada law allows injured victims to collect compensation for construction-site injuries.

Who can be held liable for my construction accident lawsuit in Nevada?

There is a majority of potential defendants. Defendant is a legal term used to describe the party defending itself in a lawsuit brought by the victim, also known as the plaintiff. Examples of potential defendants include:

• Negligent employers: employers have a duty of care to ensure the construction site is safe for all employees, as well as any other foreseeable plaintiff, such as a passerby. Employers must consistently comply with Federal construction site regulations. Examples of Nevada construction site regulations include giving each employee protective equipment and fencing off the construction site.
• Third parties: examples include co-workers or other independent employees, such as the motor vehicle driver. To determine if any third parties could be held liable, it is important to categorize the employee as an employee rather than an independent contractor. To determine whether the third party that is negligent for your injuries is an independent contractor or an employee, contact our experienced employment attorneys in Las Vegas.
• Product manufacturers: if there is a defect in construction-site tools that causes injuries to employees or other foreseeable victims, the victim may have a claim against the product manufacturer for injuries resulting from the defect. This is brought as a product liability claim against the product manufacturer.
• After you have experienced an injury at a construction site, contact our top-rated construction accident attorneys to determine who the at-fault parties could be. Often, multiple parties contribute to an accident.

What are examples of construction site injuries?

• Falling from high ceilings or scaffolds
• Slips and falls due to construction site tools
• Struck by falling objects
• Fires
• Construction tool defects
• Crane accidents
• Gas leaks
• Heavy machinery
• Repetitive stress injuries
• Electrocutions
• Getting caught in a machine
• Respiratory problems from hazardous materials 
• Heat exhaustion

Common causes of construction accidents include:

• Defective equipment: Sometimes, equipment may not work as intended due to the manufacturer’s negligence.
• Fall hazards: More than a third of construction accidents resulting in fatalities involve falls. Falls from heights pose a significant risk to construction workers and can be caused by poor scaffolding, inadequate railings, and malfunctioning equipment.
• Dangerous construction practices: If a general contractor uses dangerous scaffolding practices, you may be able to file a claim against them.
• Negligence: If a subcontractor violates Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or state regulations, you may be able to file a claim against them.
• Electrocution: Nearly 10% of construction worker fatalities annually are caused by electrocution accidents, typically due to live wires. Lack of proper inspection and maintenance of live wires can lead to serious electrocution risks.
• Heavy trauma or blunt force: Many workers on site are hit by or against objects that cause serious injuries or even death. Loose materials and equipment are common causes of physical trauma. Insufficient safety equipment and policies can also lead to serious injury.

Las Vegas Construction Accident Injuries

Construction accident injuries almost always result in severe and catastrophic injuries. Examples of injuries that could be suffered as a result of construction accidents include:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Back injuries
• Wrongful death claims
• Head injuries
• Paralysis
• Permanent disability
• Temporary disability
• Lacerations
• Third-degree burns

How do you file a construction accident claim?

Depending on the circumstances of the construction accident, personal injury lawsuits are often filed against the party responsible for the workplace accident. However, Nevada has workers’ compensation laws that make it more difficult to file claims for damages sustained during construction work. This means that instead of filing personal injury claims, you have to explore other options.

Can I file a personal injury claim?

It is usually a good idea to check whether you can file a claim under your state laws. In Nevada, workers are typically not allowed to sue their employers. However, this does not mean that workers are not allowed to file lawsuits at all – third-party liability lawsuits can be filed with workers’ compensation claims.

Potential parties you can file a lawsuit against in conjunction with your usual workers’ compensation claim include property owners, contractors, manufacturers, and architects.

Can I file a wrongful death claim in Las Vegas?

According to construction accident law, if your loved one passed away as a result of the construction accident, you may have legal grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit to get compensated for the loss of your loved one. A wrongful death claim must be filed within two years of the death. 

There are several different types of damage you could receive, including:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical expenses 
• Punitive damages 
• Lost wages
• Loss of consortium
• Grief and sorrow
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement

What are punitive damages?

Punitive damages are a special sort of damage. In Nevada, you can only be awarded punitive damages if you can show that the defendant acted with fraud, malice, or oppression that ended up causing the injury.

Since there is often a sense of injustice in relation to construction accidents, a professional attorney can help you build a case that maximizes your chances of successfully recovering damages and potentially pursuing punitive damages.

What should I do if I have been involved in a construction accident in Las Vegas?

What you do after a construction accident is very important to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. It could be a very stressful event and cause many to scramble, looking around to see what to do next. If you are involved in a construction accident, there are specific steps you should take, which include:

1. Get medical assistance immediately: even if you believe that you have not suffered any injuries, you must get examined by a medical professional. Usually, traumatic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries will not be present until days or weeks after the construction accident. Medical records are also needed to seek compensation from the at-fault party.
2. If you are an employee, make sure you tell your employer about the accident. Your employer may provide you with a form to fill out information regarding the accident, such as the injuries suffered, where the injury occurred, and why the injury occurred. Usually, an incident report filed by your employer is very helpful when filing a lawsuit for workers’ compensation or holding your employer responsible for an unsafe work environment.
3. Gather as much evidence as possible in your favor. Examples of evidence that could potentially play in your favor include photos of the accident location, photos of the construction site machinery that may have caused the injury, and any other information from witnesses who saw the accident.
4. Contact our top-rated Las Vegas construction accident injury attorneys to see how you can file a claim for your injuries. The sooner you seek legal help, the sooner you could potentially recover from your injuries.

Do you need a construction accident lawyer to file a lawsuit?

A construction accident attorney can help you determine the details and gather supporting evidence for your case. Workers’ compensation and injury in the workplace cases can be difficult to file claims for, especially if you are going through a stressful time of handling emotional distress following the accident.

A construction accident attorney can help you see whether your claim is likely to succeed. Oftentimes, third-party liability claims are filed to seek justice and right a wrong, rather than solely to recover damages. An experienced lawyer can build your case for you and help you make informed legal decisions during this difficult time.

Building a case is an important part of successfully recovering financial compensation after an injury or wrongful death. A lawyer who specializes in accidents in Las Vegas can boost your chances of successfully obtaining a fair settlement.