Portland Construction Accident Lawyer
All jobs entail some degree of risk. But construction has always been an especially risky and dangerous industry for the people who work on job sites. Indeed, construction is statistically speaking the deadliest occupation in the United States.
The sad thing is that most construction-related injuries and deaths are preventable. There are a number of federal, state, and local regulations in place designed to promote safe work sites. But far too many project owners, general contractors, and subcontractors cut corners in order to meet deadlines. And workers often end up paying the price.
If you have been seriously injured while working at a job site, the team at Rosenbaum Law, PC, can help. We are experienced Portland construction accident lawyers who can help you obtain full and fair compensation for your injuries. We can guide you through filing a workers’ compensation claim and taking legal action against third parties whose actions contributed to your accident.
Know Your Rights Following a Job Site Accident
According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the most common types of construction accidents are falls, being struck by an object, being caught in or between an object, and electrocution. Indeed, if you have ever spent any time on an active construction site, you can easily identify a number of potential hazards that can lead to one of these four injuries.
Your direct employer–the contractor or subcontractor that hired you–is typically required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ comp provides you with medical and wage replacement benefits in the event of a construction accident. The trade-off is that you cannot sue your direct employer so long as they comply with their workers’ compensation obligations.
If your construction accident was the result of someone else’s negligence, however, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit. Oregon has a strict Employer Liability Law (ELL) that applies to certain indirect employers, including another contractor or subcontractor on a construction site. Additionally, there are many third parties whose negligence may cause or contribute to a construction accident.
For example, if you were struck by a truck delivering supplies to a job site, you would have a cause of action against the driver and their employer independent of your rights under workers’ compensation. The same would be true if your injury was the result of a defective piece of equipment, such as a ladder failing and causing you to fall.
Contact Rosenbaum Law Group Today
Construction accidents often lead to fatal injuries. Even in non-fatal cases there may be permanent damage to the brain or spinal cord. So it is imperative that you act quickly to assert your legal rights following any accident on the job site. Our qualified Portland construction accident lawyers can review your case and advise you of your best options for obtaining compensation. Contact Rosenbaum Law, PC, today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team.
