Lose a Loved One in a Fatal Construction Accident?
Construction Litigation
Whether a client is injured on a construction site or is suffering financially from a breached real estate development contract, we have the skills to litigate construction cases.
Speak to a Construction Attorney with Experience in Fatal Accident Cases
Over the past 40 years, the attorneys at Colson Hicks Eidson have established a reputation for success in representing large, complex cases, including construction accident and wrongful death claims. For example, we represented wrongful death suits of several workers killed when a parking garage at Miami-Dade Community College collapsed. This project, valued at $22.5 million, involved many different contractors, five of which received citations for safety code violations. After an extensive investigation, our construction accident attorney found that structural defects combined with damage from a previous crane accident caused the collapse, killing four workers and injuring many more.
When an employer, contractor or another entity acts negligently or fails to follow safety regulations on a construction site, the result is often hazardous conditions that can lead to large-scale, potentially fatal accidents. These kinds of construction accidents can be costly to investigate, and may involve multiple defendants. However, the attorneys at Colson Hicks Eidson have a record of success in complex, fatal construction accident cases. We work with leading experts to establish fault and help obtain compensation to families for their immense losses.
Who is at Fault for a Fatal Construction Accident?
Construction projects commonly involve multiple companies and contractors. Every company on a construction site has a responsibility to ensure safety for all workers by following regulations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). However, in the event of a fatal construction accident, it may not be clear exactly which party or parties were negligent without a thorough investigation by experts. Often, the families of wrongful death victims may recover compensation from multiple defendants in these types of claims.
We frequently find that the following entities may be at fault in these types of cases:
- General contractors
- Subcontractors
- Supervisors and managers
- Other construction workers
- Construction site owners
- Inspection companies
- Equipment manufacturers
- Building engineers and architects
Our personal injury lawyers have over 40 years of experience with providing legal representation to families needing to determine fault in construction accidents and to pursue wrongful death claims.
Can I File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Even if I Get Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
Many employers carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover the cost of injuries and damages that may affect their employees. Typically, workers comp laws bar survivors of fatal construction accidents from filing civil claims against the victim’s employer. Instead, wrongful death benefits are paid by the workers’ compensation insurance provider.
However, workers’ compensation is rarely enough to adequately compensate families for such losses of income, family support and emotional support. If more than one company contributed to the fatal construction accident, then you may be able to file a third party lawsuit to recover additional damages. Third parties can include tool companies with defective machinery as well as other contractors or companies working on the site. Often, third party lawsuits involve product liability and/or defective construction claims as well.
Additionally, most states will allow a civil wrongful death lawsuit if a wrongful death results from an employer’s intentional act. A few states also allow this kind of claim in cases where gross negligence causes fatal construction accidents. Therefore, it is extremely important to consult with a construction accident attorney after a loved one’s wrongful death before you sign any legal documents.
Free Attorney Advice for Fatal Construction Accidents
Our firm understands that no amount of monetary compensation can replace the pain and suffering you feel because of the loss of your loved one. However, it can help you pay for the economic and non-economic damages this loss caused you and your family. If you need aggressive representation for a wrongful death from a construction accident or any other similar legal issues, then reach out to Colson Hicks Eidson for a free consultation.