Construction Accidents
The Joe Griffith Law Firm, LLC is committed to helping South
Carolina’s construction workers who have been injured on the job.
While Joe Griffith's goal is to help clients proactively avoid disputes, he is a
vigorous litigator when a fight is in the best interest of his
clients. Client satisfaction is his number one goal.
The rapidly changing construction industry is a high-risk business
in terms of worker safety, accidents and injuries. Construction
workers are frequently exposed to dangerous equipment, machinery and
work environments. In 2003, according to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, the largest number of fatal work injuries was in the
construction sector with a total of 1,126 deaths. Likewise, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics has also reported that the highest level
of nonfatal worker injuries, as measured on a lost-workday basis, is
again in the construction industry with a rate of 5.7 days per 100
workers.
Workers injured on construction sites may be able to sue the owner,
its agents and contractors, for all damages sustained by virtue of
any physical harm which has occurred to them. Such suits are
permitted on behalf of injured workers in addition to workers’
compensation benefits they may be entitled to receive. Unlike
workers’ compensation however, where an owner, agent or contractor
is statutorily liable to pay benefits, recovery can also be made for
past and future lost earnings, pain and suffering, past and future
medical expenses, loss of benefits, and other types of damages.
In South Carolina and many other states, there are special statutes
to protect workers involved in construction related accidents. These
statutes exist because no matter how stringent the regulations
concerning job safety, workers are at risk on a daily basis because
of the inherently dangerous nature of their jobs. This is
exemplified by situations involving:
- Scaffolding Accidents
- Roof related falls
- Falls from elevated work surfaces
- Workers hit by falling objects
- Trench collapses
- Electrocution
- Fire and explosions
- Machinery accidents
- Crane, forklift, truck and other vehicular accidents
- Equipment failure
- Failure to provide safety equipment
- Welding accidents
- Industrial gases
While your employer is responsible for your worker’s compensation
benefits, product defects and failures by an owner, agent or
contractor to conduct themselves in a non-negligent manner can lead
to legal liability for injuries to a worker or even a passerby.
If you have suffered a serious injury at a construction site you may
be entitled to recover significant damages, in addition to worker’s
compensation benefits, for your injuries. Joe Griffith Law Firm can help you recover
your worker’s compensation benefits, as well as pursue negligence or
products liability claims against persons or companies which have
caused the injuries. JGLF will investigate the facts, assess your
claim, determine which parties and insurance companies are to be
held responsible, organize all of the details of your case and
pursue it vigorously in settlement negotiations or at trial.
If you or a loved one has been injured while on a construction job,
please contact the Joe Griffith Law Firm, LLC. You can reach JGLF at
843-CALL-JOE (843-225-5563), or contact the firm via the
online form.
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