Construction jobs can be hazardous for the employees working in the field. A lot can go wrong instantly, and the risk of serious injuries is always prevalent. We know that the extent of these injuries, which can be caused by heavy machinery or other equipment, can cost thousands, if not millions, of dollars in medical bills. This doesn’t include the time spent healing from those injuries or the hours that could have been spent with friends and family lost.

That’s where Gerber Injury Law can help. Arizona’s construction site accident attorneys are here to have your back if you or a loved one are in a construction accident injury. We work hard to recover your lost costs so that you can continue with your life.

Why Choose Gerber Injury Law?

Gerber Injury Law is a group that focuses on people. We know you by name, and we understand your case, and we work for the betterment of your situation. We take construction accidents seriously, as they are indeed serious accidents. Other reasons to choose Gerber Injury Law to represent you:

• We have recovered over $100 million in compensation for our clients.
• We treat you like people; you’re more than just clients to us.
• We will work hard to settle your case out of court, taking on individuals or insurance companies.
• When necessary, we will take your case to court.
• Our first consultation for your case is free.
• We’re located in almost half a dozen locations in Arizona for your convenience.

If you have a construction injury that occurred to you or your family, contact Gerber Injury Law so that we can start filing your personal injury claim today.

How Common Are Construction Site Accidents in Arizona?

According to the Industrial Commission of Arizona, across the country, over 137,000 construction workers are injured on the job every year. The National Safety Council reports that the construction industry accounted for the most deaths on the job in 2021. Construction may be a dangerous job, but accidents caused by negligence can be prevented.

Construction injuries take a huge toll on people’s lives. Gerber Injury Law is here if you or a loved one has been involved in a construction site accident. We’ve helped dozens of people affected by construction site accidents recover compensation, and we’ll work hard for you, too.

What Types of Accidents are Associated with Construction Sites?

Construction site accidents can be mild, severe, or anywhere in between. While some of these accidents may occur in any workplace, others are more specific to the construction industry due to the tools and machinery they use. Construction accidents can happen from the negligence of coworkers or companies. Some of the most common construction site accidents include:

Slips, Trips, and Falls

Slips, tripping, and falls are among the most common injuries on construction sites. In a recent study, they accounted for over a third of construction injuries. They can be especially dangerous when these incidents happen while workers work at height. Slips, trips, and falls can occur:

• When the area that construction workers are in is slick with water or oil
• If cords or other pieces of equipment are left in walkways or other dangerous areas
• If ladders or scaffolding is not properly secured

Injuries Due to Heavy Machinery

A very common type of accident on construction sites involves heavy machinery. Cranes, forklifts, trucks, and other equipment need to be in working order to keep construction workers and anyone near the job site safe. Accidents can happen when the machines need to be fixed, or their operators need to be more attentive. Some types of accidents with heavy machinery may include:

• Collisions between machines
• Forklifts or other heavy machinery rolling over
• Loads falling off forklifts or trucks
• Someone becoming trapped between two machines
• If the machinery malfunctions or is broken
• Operators of heavy machinery are distracted

Electrocutions

Electric shock injuries range from minor burns to life-threatening conditions. They can happen for any number of reasons, including: 

• Faulty or damaged wiring
• If the ground where electrical items are being worked on is wet
• If equipment like an extension cord is worn
• Damaged outlets

Explosions

Explosions may occur during construction for several reasons. Sometimes, like during demolitions, explosives are intentionally used — though they still pose dangers. At other times, explosions may happen due to the kind of construction work happening. These explosions may occur due to the following:

• Machinery breaking down
• Workers or machinery hitting a gas line when digging foundations or demolishing buildings
• Improper storage of flammable materials
• Flammable gasses ignite, even if stored properly
• The buildup of gasses in a confined area

Demolitions

While construction has its challenges and dangers, so does demolition. Because demolitions use explosives, they can be very dangerous. Some of the risks of demolition include:

• Breathing in the dust or toxic fumes after a demolition
• Flying or falling debris injuring people
• If the explosion doesn’t go as planned or happens early

Falling Tools or Equipment

When working on construction, there will often be people working on different levels. If tools or equipment falls from an upper level, they can cause serious injuries to those working below if that equipment strikes those people. This is especially dangerous for pedestrians who don’t wear the protective gear needed to work on a construction site.

Fires

Fires may occur from electrical malfunctions or explosions. They can also occur because of flammable materials that are improperly stored. Fires can begin suddenly and cause significant harm to those nearby.

Exposure to Toxic Materials or Chemicals

Construction workers may use a variety of chemicals in their daily job. Direct exposure to some of them can cause immediate severe effects; at other times, long-term exposure to these chemicals may cause heart and lung issues. Some examples of toxic chemicals or materials that workers may be exposed to include:

• Asbestos
• Dust or chemicals from an explosion or demolition
• Hazardous or flammable liquids and the gasses they produce

Overexertion

Construction is tough on the body, and the long hours and heavy lifting can overwork construction workers to the point where the job causes irreparable damage to them. An example might be heat stroke.

These are not the only injuries that can occur on a construction site. If you have questions about what may constitute a construction site injury or accident, contact the Arizona personal injuries lawyers at Gerber Injury Law so we can get you specific answers about your situation.

What Types of Injuries Happen In Construction Accidents?

Injuries in construction accidents can affect the entire body. Common injuries that construction workers experience can range from minor to catastrophic.

• Concussions are injuries to the head that are usually caused by hitting the head against something hard. Concussions might be able to be healed in a short amount of time, but they could also take months or years to recover from. They can affect movement and cause sensory issues.
• Injuries to the spinal cord or neck may result from collision accidents, crushing accidents, or falls. Spinal cord and neck injuries may include herniated discs, where part of the disc puts pressure on the nerves of the spine.
• Broken bones often mean that a construction worker must take time off to heal before returning to work. Broken leg and arm bones are especially debilitating.
• Compound fractures are bone breaks that are very complex to fix; they often include a bone shard that has broken through the skin. These sorts of breaks are very serious.
• Scrapes, bruises, cuts, lacerations, and abrasions can leave open wounds that not only can cause damage to skin, nerves, and internal organs but can lead the injured party open to an increased risk of infection.
• Whiplash can happen during truck, forklift, or other heavy machinery accidents, as a machine takes a sharp turn or suddenly stops. Though whiplash often heals, it can cause mobility issues for several weeks or months; in severe cases, nerves are crushed, causing long-lasting pain.
• Losing a limb may occur during an accident where that limb is crushed between two heavy pieces of equipment or machinery.
• Nerve damage from the above injuries may be long-lasting or permanent or need surgery to help recover.
• Burns, which may be a resulting injury from fires, explosions, or electrical shocks, may need skin grafts to help heal them if they are severe enough. They can also lead to scars.
• Eye injuries from falling debris can be especially hazardous. Injuries to the eyes may cause temporary or permanent loss of sight.
• Lung damage can be caused by breathing in toxic fumes, dust from explosions or demolitions, or electric shocks, among other injuries.
• Heart damage may be caused by electrocutions, blunt force trauma injuries, or from exposure to toxic chemicals, among other injuries.

If you don’t see your injury on this list but were injured in a construction accident, reach out to Gerber Injury Law today to discuss the specifics of your case.

What Types of Injuries Continue After Construction Site Accidents?

Construction accident injuries can linger long, and some may never fully heal. These sorts of injuries forever alter the victim of the accident and can make life after the accident difficult.

• Traumatic brain injuries can be long-lasting or permanent. While some brain injuries, like mild concussions, can heal with time and rest, others will alter mobility, mood, or other senses. Severe concussions or other TBIs can leave a lasting impact.
• Changes to mental health may occur after a construction accident. Depression or anxiety might appear or increase because of the accident or the injuries caused by the accident.
• Mobility issues may persist long after an accident. Broken bones may not heal properly, or traumatic brain injuries may cause difficulties walking or moving.
• Chronic pain can happen after any injury has healed, but the pain endures. It often appears in back injuries or injuries that involve nerve damage.

The result of construction site accidents can be long-lasting. That’s why the Arizona construction site injury lawyers at Gerber Injury Law are here to help you stay safe on the job.

What Makes an Unsafe Working Environment?

An unsafe working environment means a company hasn’t upheld its duty to make the area as safe as possible for its employees. Some of the things a company may do that create an unsafe working environment are:

• Not upholding OSHA safety standards
• Refuse to provide adequate or working safety equipment
• Refuse to provide enough safety equipment for all employees
• Refuse to provide maintenance for equipment, machinery, and tools
• Refuse to provide adequate training for employees or hire untrained workers
• Refuse to replace worn or broken equipment, machinery, and tools in a timely fashion
• Refuse to maintain safe working areas with proper safety guards for tools in place
• Avoid cleaning up water or oil spills
• Little or no signage as to the dangers of the construction site available for pedestrians or vehicles to read
• Not creating a safe demolition area
• Not providing suitable building materials
• Storing flammable liquids and gasses in insecure places or containers

Companies must take the necessary precautions on job sites to avoid severe injuries. If you were injured on a construction site because your company overlooked safety regulations, then Gerber Injury Law may be able to bring the claim against your employer.

Who is Liable for a Construction Site Accident Claim in Arizona?

Suppose you are a construction worker injured in a construction accident, and your company did not take proper precautions to protect you from the dangers of the job or did not uphold safety standards. In that case, you may be able to hold them liable for your injuries.

Suppose the injury was the result of equipment, tools, or machinery that were faulty or defective. In that case, an Arizona construction site accident attorney may help you file your claim against the manufacturer instead. You’ll want the professional knowledge of the Gerber Injury Law team to help you work through your case.

How Do Workers’ Compensation Benefits Play a Role in My Construction Site Accident Claim?

Workers’ compensation benefits help cover worker injuries from a job site. Every employer must have workers’ compensation for their employees. The issue is that worker’s compensation often does not consider the possible long-term effects of the injury, nor does it allow you to collect compensation due to emotional trauma from the accident.

You’ll want to speak with an Arizona construction site accident lawyer before you accept workers’ compensation benefits. If you, as an employee, applied for workers’ compensation benefits after an injury, you usually cannot bring a claim against your employer unless they were negligent or created an unsafe working environment.

Because there’s a limited window to apply for workers’ compensation benefits, you’ll want to speak with a personal injury lawyer in Arizona as soon as possible to determine whether or not you can or want to file a claim.

Statute of Limitations for Construction Site Accidents in Arizona

A statute of limitations narrows the timeline of how long you must file a claim. In Arizona, you have two years to file a personal injury claim. If you file after two years, it is unlikely that your claim will be reviewed.

While two years can seem like plenty of time, Gerber Injury Law encourages anyone injured in a construction accident to contact us immediately. We’ll need time to collect the proper materials and file your claim.

What If I was Injured On or Near a Construction Site, but I’m Not a Worker?

If you are a person who was injured on or near a construction site, the personal injury attorneys of Arizona can help you make your case. You might be injured on a construction sight, even if you’re not a construction worker, from:

• Carelessness or negligence on the job site that causes an accident
• Tools or other pieces of equipment falling from the job site
• Demolitions from job sites that don’t go as planned
• Equipment or machinery on a construction site that malfunctions
• Explosions from construction teams hitting a gas line
• Electrical malfunctions from construction work

If you’ve been injured near a construction site, you may be able to file a claim against the construction company or, if your injury occurred due to faulty equipment, against the manufacturing company. Contact Gerber Injury Law to see what your situation requires.

How Can Gerber Injury Law Help with My Construction Site Accident Claim?

The Arizona construction site accident lawyers are professionals. We’ve dealt with construction and insurance companies over our 20 years of experience, and we can help you get your construction accident injury claim on track. Gerber Injury Law will:

• Help you collect evidence, including medical records, witness testimonies, and other reports
• Help you distinguish the cost of long-term damages for financial claims that can help you with your future as you recover from your injuries
• Work with individuals, companies, and insurance companies to settle your claim
• Take your case to court if no settlement is reached

With our focus on personal injury law, we’re here to help you with your claim. The personal injury lawyers at Gerber Injury Law will be with you through this entire process of filing and negotiating your personal injury case.

What Sorts of Damages Can I Recover in a Construction Site Accident?

When thinking about your whole case, Gerber Injury Law considers the effects the accident had on you in the present and the effects it will have on your future. Your construction site accident injury may be able to recover:

• Bills acquired from medical procedures because of the accident, like surgeries, hospital time, and medications
• Financial losses, such as lost wages that you suffered because you could not work
• The cost of physical therapy or other long-term treatments that you need to help you heal from the accident
• Financial costs to cover future wages that you may not be able to earn due to your injuries
• Costs to cover pain, suffering, and emotional trauma from the accident
• Expenses to cover future assistance or other needs if you are permanently injured

Depending on the degree to which you were injured, how long it will take you to heal, and if any injuries are life-long, the compensation you may receive can vary widely. We’ve helped clients recover millions in lost damages, and Gerber Injury Law is prepared to take your case.

Steps to Take After a Construction Site Accident

Collecting as much information as possible after a construction site accident is important. You can start with your medical records from the hospital you visit after an accident. You’ll want to collect witness testimonies who saw the accident happen, as well as record the amount of pain or difficulties you’re experiencing from your injuries.

Contact Gerber Injury Law so we can help you file your claim. We’ll review your documents and include those in your case. Remember, you only have 24 months to file a personal injury claim, so you’ll want to start as soon as possible.

Contact Gerber Injury Law About Your Construction Injury Accident

Gerber Injury Law is here to help you if you are injured on a construction site. We know that these injuries take time and energy — as well as substantial costs — to recover from, and we’re here for you to help you in that journey.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, reach out to Gerber Injury Law today. Call our office at 623-486-8300 or contact us online. We’re ready to take on your case.