If you are injured in an accident while working on a construction site, you are entitled by Indiana law to receive workers’ compensation benefits to pay for medical bills and cover a portion of lost wages. The same law prevents you from pursuing damages for pain and suffering by taking legal action against your employer or anyone who works for them.
Often, however, construction accidents are caused by the negligence of a third party. In these cases, you may be able to file a third-party liability claim and receive compensation in addition to any workers’ compensation benefits you receive.
Construction projects frequently require the services of subcontractors, inspectors, specialist machine operators and other professionals. Combined with the hazardous nature of construction sites in general, there is a real possibility that a workplace accident could occur as a result of third-party negligence.
Construction workers may recognize some of the most common incidents of third-party negligence as almost daily occurrences. A general contractor’s failure to maintain safe conditions, falling hazards due to unsafe scaffolding or ladders and injuries caused by falling detritus, poorly-maintained or defective equipment and electrical hazards are all more prevalent than they should be.
If you are unfortunate enough to be seriously injured due to one of these factors or any other, you deserve to be compensated for the pain and suffering caused by another person’s negligence. With any construction accident, a dedicated personal injury lawyer can provide guidance on whether a claim against a third party is justified and assist you in seeking damages beyond workers’ compensation.