Construction sites are dangerous places to work. Construction workers are exposed to a variety of hazards, including falls, falling objects, heavy machinery, and electrical equipment. When construction workers are injured on the job, they may be entitled to compensation for their injuries.
At Shane Smith Law, we have over 100 years of combined experience and are committed to helping injured construction workers get the compensation they deserve. Our Charlotte construction accident lawyer understands the complexities of construction accident cases and knows how to achieve results.
If you have been injured in a construction accident, your Charlotte personal injury lawyer with our firm can help you understand your legal options and pursue the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
Why You Should Take Action Quickly After a Construction Injury
Waiting to speak with a lawyer after a construction accident can cost you more than just time. It may limit your access to medical care and make it more difficult to determine who caused the accident. Taking action early gives you a better chance to protect your rights and strengthen your case from the start.
Medical Care Should Be a Priority, But Legal Support Should Follow Immediately
If you were hurt on the job, getting to a doctor is the first and most important step. But after that, you should reach out to a Charlotte construction accident attorney with Shane Smith Law as soon as possible.
Early legal support helps make sure your care is properly documented, your injuries are reported the right way, and your employer or insurer does not take advantage of your situation.
Evidence Can Disappear in a Matter of Days
Construction sites are constantly changing. A loose guardrail, exposed wire, or broken ladder might be removed or replaced before anyone investigates. Having a legal team in place quickly allows us to capture photos, statements, and documents before that evidence is gone.
Insurance Adjusters Start Building Their Case Right Away
From the moment the injury is reported, the insurance company starts working on ways to limit your claim. Their team will take statements, review medical records, and look for ways to downplay your injuries.
The longer you wait to get legal support, the more control you give them over the narrative. We can step in early to make sure your side of the story is heard and supported by the facts.
For a free legal consultation with a construction accident lawyer serving Charlotte, call 980-246-2656
Common Types of Construction Accidents
A construction accident refers to an unexpected and undesirable event that occurs on a construction site, resulting in harm, injury, or damage. Construction accidents can happen due to various factors, including human error, equipment malfunction, inadequate safety measures, or environmental conditions. Here are some common types of construction accidents:
- Heavy Machinery Accidents: Involves accidents with large construction equipment like bulldozers, excavators, cranes, and forklifts.
- Electrical Accidents: Occur when workers come into contact with live electrical wires, faulty equipment, or unsafe electrical systems.
- Falls: One of the most common construction accidents, falls can happen from elevated surfaces such as ladders, scaffolding, roofs, or unguarded edges.
- Scaffolding Accidents: Related to collapses or falls from scaffolding structures, often due to inadequate installation or lack of proper safety measures.
- Crane Accidents: Involve incidents related to the operation or structural failure of cranes, leading to injuries or fatalities.
- Trench Collapses: Occur when the walls of an excavation trench collapse, trapping workers inside. This can lead to suffocation or crushing injuries.
- Fires and Explosions: Result from a variety of factors, including electrical faults, fuel leaks, or improper handling of flammable materials.
- Toxic Exposure: Involves exposure to hazardous substances or chemicals, either through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion.
- Struck-By Accidents: Workers may be struck by falling objects, moving equipment, or other construction materials, leading to injuries.
- Tool Accidents: Injuries resulting from the improper use or malfunction of hand tools or power tools.
Workers’ Compensation for On-the-Job Construction Accident Injuries
Most employers in North Carolina are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-93. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system that provides benefits to workers who are injured on the job. Workers’ compensation benefits are available regardless of who was at fault for the accident.
Injured workers are not required to prove that their employer was negligent in order to receive workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation benefits can cover the cost of medical treatment, including surgery, hospitalization, and rehabilitation.
Workers’ compensation can also provide wage replacement benefits to injured workers who are unable to return to work.
Charlotte Construction Accident Lawyer Near Me 980-246-2656
Who Is Liable in a Charlotte Construction Accident Case
Liability in a construction accident often involves more than one party. It is not always your employer who is responsible, and in many cases, it is not obvious who allowed unsafe conditions to develop.
Third Parties Often Contribute to Unsafe Job Conditions
Construction sites are full of moving parts, and that includes outside workers and service providers. Subcontractors, delivery drivers, equipment installers, and site managers all have a responsibility to keep the area safe.
If a third party fails to follow safety procedures or creates a hazard, your Charlotte premises liability lawyer may be able to hold them liable for your injuries.
Safety Violations and OSHA Citations
Some construction accidents happen because basic safety rules are ignored. Exposed wiring, lack of fall protection, and broken tools are all violations of OSHA standards.
When these hazards are allowed on a job site, it can point to negligence by general contractors, foremen, or even the company that supplied the faulty equipment.
Click to contact our Charlotte Personal Injury Lawyers today
The Statute of Limitations for Construction Accident Lawsuits in North Carolina
Every construction accident case comes with a legal deadline. How long you have to take action depends on the type of claim and how the injury happened. Here are some of the most common time limits that might apply to your case, along with the laws that set them:
- Personal Injury – Three years from the date of injury under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52.
- Wrongful Death – Two years from the date of death under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-53.
- Product Liability – Three years from the date of harm under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52.
- Breach of Warranty (Defective Materials) – Three years under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52.
- Occupational Exposure (Toxic Inhalation) – Depends on when symptoms appear and diagnosis is made under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-57.
- Workers’ Compensation Claim – Notify your employer within 30 days under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-22.
- Notice to Third–Party Insurer – This is best done as early as possible, even if no statute sets a deadline.
Even if your injuries seem minor at first, the clock starts running the day you were hurt. Missing a deadline can cost you the chance to recover damages, no matter how strong your case is.
Your Charlotte catastrophic injury lawyer will need to act quickly to preserve your claim and make sure everything is filed on time.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Your Construction Accident Lawyer in Charlotte, With Shane Smith Law, Can Help You Get Answers
Third-party personal injury lawsuits can be complex, and they often involve multiple parties. If you have been injured in a construction accident, it is important to have an experienced construction accident lawyer on your side.
At Shane Smith Law, your construction accident attorney in Charlotte, we have extensive experience handling construction accident cases, and we know how to get results. We can help you understand your legal options and pursue the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
Call or text 980-246-2656 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
