Construction Injury Lawyers in Kansas City, MO, Will Help You Seek Justice After an Accident

Employment in the construction industry requires a unique skill set and perseverance to work in severe conditions. In Kansas City, the winters can be brutal, and summers can be downright suffocating. Even so, there is a year-round need for such work. Unfortunately, this work puts construction employees at constant risk of harm. In fact, even those who aren’t employed in this industry can be at risk simply by being around such a worksite. If you’ve been injured in a construction accident—regardless of your connection to the site—you may be entitled to compensation. A construction injury lawyer in Kansas City, MO, can help.

At Mohlman Gurney Injury Law, our dedicated personal injury lawyers fight to help injured workers and passersby recover compensation for their losses. Construction employers have a duty to protect their employees and anyone else who may encounter hazards related to the worksite. If you’ve been injured in a construction site accident—whether you were on the job or simply walking by—you can get a free case evaluation at Mohlman Gurney Injury Law. Even if you’re unsure whether you’re entitled to financial recovery, we can help answer all your questions and help you identify the best path forward.

The Dangers of Construction Site Accidents in Missouri

In 2019, there were over 100,000 construction worker injuries in Missouri. While this number dropped a bit in subsequent years, related deaths actually increased during that time. Unfortunately, “The Show-Me State” sees more than its fair share of construction accidents each year. These are often due to lax safety procedures, but in some cases, there really is no one at fault. In these instances, workers’ compensation is likely the appropriate route to receive financial reimbursement for injuries, lost wages, and other losses related to accidents on construction sites.

That’s because some jobs are inherently risky. As an example, consider the following professions—which are among the most dangerous in the construction industry:

High-rise and roofing work
Heavy equipment operation
Highway construction
Sewer and ductwork
Freight hauling
Demolition

In most cases, injured employees can seek compensation without having to go to court, thanks to workers’ compensation. Of course, going this route also removes the possibility that you could recover additional damages for your injuries. For instance, a personal injury lawsuit can seek compensation related to non-monetary losses and even punitive damages. These nuances will be discussed more in-depth in the below section, “Who Is Liable for a Construction Accident?” but the most important thing to remember is that you may have options. A

can help you understand those options.

What are the “Big Four” Accidents on Construction Sites?

Construction is one of the most dangerous industries to work in. The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lists construction as the profession with the highest amount of workplace deaths. This isn’t surprising when you consider the dangers faced while on the job. Workers must constantly deal with heavy machinery, dangerous heights, chemicals, live wires, and a host of other risks. There are certain hazards, however, that make up the bulk of injury victims on the job. OSHA refers to these as “Construction’s Fatal Four.” They are the leading causes of death in the industry and include:

Falls
Being struck by an object
Being caught inside/between objects
Electrocution

One out of every five worker fatalities occurs on construction sites, and60% of those deaths fall into these four categories. The particularly disheartening part is that most construction accidents can be prevented with careful oversight and safety procedures. We have seen many cases involving workers’ compensation claims for falls, electrocution injury lawsuits, and other unfortunate instances where even basic precautions by negligent parties could’ve prevented a construction accident outright. Unfortunately, knowing this after the fact cannot turn back the clock and erase your injury.

However, this knowledge can help pinpoint exactly where liability truly lies. An experienced Kansas City construction injury attorney can review accident reports, medical documents, contractor history, and a variety of other important issues related to your accident. With this and other relevant information, we have helped many construction accident victims receive the compensation they’re entitled to. Don’t hesitate to contact the personal injury lawyers at Mohlman Gurney Injury Law today for a free consultation to better understand your rights.

Who is Liable for a Construction Accident?

The recovery of damages following accidents on construction sites can vary dramatically based on unique situations. In most cases, workers’ compensation will cover employee injuries. However, a non-worker would have to go the traditional route of recovering personal injury damages through either an insurance company or a construction accident lawsuit. While these two situations would seem to cover every potential incident, this is far from the case. In fact, those performing work on a job site may have instances where workers’ comp isn’t available at all.

For instance, contract workers may be unable to recover medical expenses and other costs that add up during hospital claims since they’re often unable to file a workers’ comp claim. This is typically the case when an individual isn’t an actual employee of the company they’re performing work for. Fortunately, it may be possible to recover compensation if the employer creates an unsafe work environment or didn’t provide appropriate training. In such situations, contractors may have a valid personal injury claim.

Additionally, employers can sometimes be held accountable when cases involve actions that are considered “something extra” under the law. This is a vague standard, but it typically means that the employer engaged in “gross negligence or inherently dangerous behavior.” This only applies in exceptional cases, but when it does, it can result in exceptional damages. The key takeaway here is that construction site cases can be complex and nuanced. If you or someone you love was hurt in such an incident, speaking with a Kansas City construction injury lawyer can help.

What Damages Can I Receive by Taking Legal Action?

Anyone injured in Kansas City, Missouri, can bring a claim for damages under the state’s personal injury laws. This will obviously differ if workers’ compensation is appropriate in your situation, but if you’re entitled to additional damages, it may come in various forms. In fact, courts have been known to hand down extra punitive damages when a liable party engages in gross negligence or other reckless behavior.

As a victim of a construction site accident, though, you’ll typically always be entitled to the following compensatory damages:

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Future earnings
Pain and suffering

There are instances where your recovery may be decreased if you hold some fault for your injury. For instance, maybe you didn’t engage in proper safety procedures. Thanks to Missouri’s comparative negligence standards, you can still receive compensation. It will simply be reduced by the percentage of fault the courts believe you hold.

Even if you think you contributed to your own injury, it’s important to speak with a Kansas City construction injury attorney. Many of these workplace accidents lead to lasting injuries that could impact your ability to work now and in the future. A local legal professional can help you determine the best course of action.

Do I Need an Attorney for Construction Accidents?

There are many companies that choose to cut corners and reduce costs by eliminating safety checks or failing to upgrade sites to conform with existing safety codes. These cost-cutting measures are some of the top reasons why employees and others are subject to dangerous conditions and injuries. When you suffer such an injury, you may end up dealing with insurance companies and their attorneys.

In either of these situations, having an experienced Kansas City construction accident lawyer on your side can prove beneficial. At Mohlman Gurney Injury Law, our team of attorneys has decades of combined experience in settlement negotiations and litigation. Without legal representation, you’ll be up against skilled insurance and legal professionals all on your own. This simply isn’t an ideal scenario. Make sure you work with Missouri attorneys who care.

Let our Construction Injury Lawyers in Kansas City, MO, Fight for you

If you’ve been injured in a Kansas City construction accident, you may be entitled to compensation via workers’ compensation, an insurance claim settlement, or a personal injury lawsuit. Which is appropriate in your situation can vary based on a number of factors, but an experienced law firm can help you decide how to move forward. Even if you’ve been told that you can’t recover compensation from a lawsuit due to workers’ comp, this may not always be accurate. No two construction accidents are the same, and even if two individuals are injured in the exact same incident, their legal options to recover compensation can look very different.

At Mohlman Gurney Injury Law, our Kansas City personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping our clients receive fair compensation. We take on a limited number of cases so that each of our clients receives the attention they deserve. Regardless of whether you were a construction site worker or just happened to be nearby during an accident, you deserve to be reimbursed and made whole for the damages you suffered. Contact us today by calling (816) 648-6000 to schedule a free consultation. With our construction accident lawyers in Kansas City, MO, on your side, you’ll have an advocate fighting relentlessly until you’re fairly compensated.