Posts

,

The Danger of Suffering Serious Injury in a Fall on a Mississippi Construction Site

There are a substantial number of serious injuries and even fatalities on construction sites every year that make construction a dangerous occupation.  There are almost 150,000 construction accidents resulting in injuries with many of the injuries being the results of falls in slip and fall and trip and fall accidents.  There are an enormous number of fall hazards on construction sites including equipment, uneven terrain, trenches, debris and many other tripping hazards.  The experienced trip and fall construction accident attorneys at the Mississippi law firm of Barrett Law understand that construction projects are confusing places with lots of moving parts and a wide variety of entities that can make the investigation of a construction project accident complicated.  We have successfully represented clients throughout Mississippi injured in falls on construction sites.

Litigation of a slip, trip and fall accident on a construction site is much different than a similar fall accident in a store or business.  Construction projects are a whirlwind of activity with a variety of sub-contractors, trades and heavy machinery as well as tools, cables and wires on the ground.  Because of the enormous number of slip, trip and fall risks on construction sites, construction workers and visitors are often injured in slip, trip and fall accidents.  A construction accident involving a slip and fall caused by the failure to properly use warnings or barriers to prevent injury or make the hazard safe may be the basis for a personal injury lawsuit.  However, construction project slip and fall accidents generally may only be the basis of a personal lawsuit if it is brought against an at-fault party other than your employer.  The Mississippi workers’ compensation system is the exclusive remedy against an employer for injuries on a construction site.

Falls on construction sites are a much more common cause of injury than many people realize.  They constitute the most common cause of fatal construction accidents.  Falls on construction sites also account for a third of all construction site related fatalities.  There are a broad range of hazards that may cause slip, trip and falls including the following:

  • Falls from scaffoldings
  • Slipping and falling of ladders
  • Broken pavement on sidewalks
  • Falls from stairs or ramps
  • Trenches or holes that are not marked
  • Spilled liquids like tar, water or grease that puddle

Passageways on construction sites provide an illustration of the variety of hazards that may cause slip, trip and fall accidents.  Dirt and debris may build or other obstructions may cause a construction worker or visitor to trip.  Sharp objects may also protrude into the passageway causing one to fall.

Our experienced Mississippi construction accident slip, trip and fall accident lawyers utilize construction industry experts and conduct a thorough investigation of construction accidents.  We also engage in meticulous discovery to obtain evidence of OSHA violations or other safety regulations.  We often identify multiple potential third party defendants for a personal injury lawsuit to supplement a workers’ compensation claim against an employer.  At Barrett Law, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi.  Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.

/by

Exposure to Hazardous Substances and Toxic Chemicals Common Danger on Mississippi Construction Sites

Chemical exposure accidents are common on construction related projects and can result in substantial debilitating injuries or even fatal construction accidents.  There are a multitude of dangerous chemicals that may cause harmful chemical exposure on a construction site.  Exposure to these dangerous chemicals may be caused by explosions, leaks or other sudden traumatic accidents.  Although there are safety regulations, including OSHA regulations that govern proper handling and safety standards involving hazardous chemicals on a construction site, sometimes these rules are disregarded and permanently debilitating injuries or occupational illnesses occur. At the Barrett Law, we have a long history of successfully representing those injured by negligent conduct, violations of safety standards and other unsafe practices that result in construction accidents including those caused by chemical exposure.  Our experienced Mississippi chemical exposure attorneys have handled many chemical exposure injuries including those caused by caustic chemicals under pressure, chemicals heated to extremely high temperatures and exposure to other hazardous substances like asbestos. An explosion that results in a leak of hazardous chemicals on a construction site may result in permanent catastrophic injury.  The force of the impact from the explosion may cause substantial injury or even wrongful death, and the exposure to hazardous chemicals often results in severe chemical burns or even asphyxiation.  Medical care for this type of serious injury can be extremely costly, and severe burn injuries can result in permanent disability.  The financial damage incurred may far exceed the available compensation through the worker’s compensation system. Our Mississippi catastrophic burn injury attorneys know the importance of carefully investigating the roles and relationships of the many entities on a construction site.  We work to identify all potential third party defendants so that we can find a viable defendant for a personal injury lawsuit, which offers far more extensive damages than a worker’s compensation claim.  Even if we bring a personal injury lawsuit against another entity like a sub-contractor using hazardous chemicals, this does not preclude also pursuing a worker’s compensation case against one’s employer.  This approach provides the best of both worlds because a worker’s compensation claim does not require any showing of fault to recover for lost wages and medical bills whereas a personal injury lawsuit may provide far broader damages including non-monetary damages like pain and suffering. Construction projects frequently provide inadequate ventilation and improper safety precautions to prevent exposure to airborne hazardous substances like asbestos.  Mesothelioma is a fatal condition that is exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos.  The construction trade is one of the leading work related environments for developing this fatal occupational illness.  If you have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace, it is essential that you seek legal advice because the symptoms of mesothelioma often do not appear until years after exposure to asbestos.  Our construction lawyers will conduct a careful investigation including interviewing other workers, reviewing company documents, analyzing the worksite and more to prove that you were exposed to asbestos. A construction accident involving an explosion or other chemical exposure may inflict life-changing injuries and adversely impact every aspect of one’s life.  We have seen many construction workers settle for what the worker’s compensation system provides only to find out later that it was woefully inadequate to meet their financial needs.  We develop innovative strategies that permit us to pursue personal injury lawsuits on behalf of construction accident victims to obtain the substantial recovery our clients need to obtain the best medical care, maintain the highest quality of life and provide for their family.  At Barrett Law, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi.  Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.

/by

Explosions an Ominous Mississippi Construction Accident Fatality Risk

Constructions sites are extremely hazardous and pose serious dangers to construction workers, visitors to construction sites and even those who pass construction sites.  While there are a multitude of dangers that lurk on a typical construction site, explosions pose a particularly serious risk of causing catastrophic injuries or fatalities.  Despite extensive state and federal regulation of construction sites, there are many explosive and flammable substances on a construction site that may result in potentially deadly explosions.  While many who visit construction sites or work in the construction trades may believe that fires and explosions on construction sites are fairly uncommon, it is estimated that eleven fires occur on U.S. construction sites on a daily basis.

Litigation of construction accidents is complicated by the rapidly changing environment on a construction site, the confusing and often murky relationships between businesses working on a construction project and the multitude of responsible parties that may be involved in a serious construction accident like an explosion.  Our Mississippi construction accident attorneys have been representing those injured by construction accident fires and explosions in Mississippi for over 75 years.

If you are a visitor on a construction site or someone passing by who suffers serious injury in a construction site explosion, you may have a right to seek substantial compensation for your injuries caused by those who negligently contributed to the construction site accident.  If you are an employee of the company responsible for the construction site explosion, then you may face a more complicated situation.  Worker’s compensation is typically the exclusive remedy against an employer for injuries to a construction worker against one’s employer.  However, we are often able to identify third parties on the construction project who may share responsibility for causing an explosion.  If we are able to establish that the negligence of a third party contributed to the construction project explosion that caused your injuries you may be able to bring a personal injury lawsuit against the third party.

There are an enormous number of potential causes of explosions and fires on construction sites throughout Mississippi, including the following:

  • Propane tanks
  • Exposed electrical wires
  • Gas mains
  • Solvents and other combustible materials
  • Malfunctioning equipment

The enormous physical and psychological impact of an explosion on its victims and their families can hardly be overstated.  Many times an explosion results in the tragic death of those within the vicinity of the blast.  Even those who survive an explosion often endure devastating injuries.  When a victim survives an explosion, they often face a prolonged recovery period of months or even years that may include surgery and other invasive medical procedures.  Many times explosion victims will suffer painful injuries that require a physically grueling course of rehabilitation, which causes enormous stress and anxiety.  It is also common for explosion victims to be permanently disabled so that they lose necessary family income.  Our experienced Mississippi construction accident explosion injury attorneys understand that you may face daunting physical, emotional and fiscal challenges.  We are prepared to remove the stress and anxiety associated with insurance issues and litigation hassles so that you can focus on your recovery.

A serious Mississippi construction accident like an explosion or fire can impose difficult hardships not just on the accident victim but on a victim’s family.  While a worker’s compensation claim may permit an employee to recover compensation for lost wages, medical expenses and limited disability, it may not provide the more extensive recovery that may be necessary when injury victim’s suffer serious injuries in an explosion.  We carefully investigate our client’s construction accidents to determine the best strategy for obtaining the fullest and fairest recovery.  At Barrett Law, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi.  Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.

/by

Heavy Machinery Accidents a Common Cause of Severe Injuries on Mississippi Construction Sites

The construction industry is the most dangerous of occupations with tens of thousands of people injured on construction sites annually, and another thousand killed in tragic mishaps while laboring on a construction project.  Construction site accidents in Mississippi often result in permanent debilitating injuries that may result in impairment of one’s mental functioning, mobility and livelihood.  When you suffer serious injury in a construction accident, you may be under enormous stress and financial challenges.  Although there are many types of hazards present on a Mississippi construction site, defective and dangerous machinery accidents are one of the most significant hazards on construction projects.

While most people that work with heavy machinery and equipment on construction sites know that careful operation and use of such equipment can reduce the risk of injuries related to heavy machinery, they also know that many accidents are caused by the negligence of others and defective or poorly maintained machinery.  Construction accidents involving defective machinery or inexperienced operators can be complex because they often involve multiple responsible parties.  If you are injured in a construction site machinery accident, you may be limited to worker’s compensation remedies against your employer.  Because the amount of recovery that is available in the worker’s compensation system is far more limited than a personal injury judgment, our experienced defective and dangerous machinery attorneys carefully investigate our clients’ construction accidents to identify third parties that may also be liable for your injury so that you may also be able to pursue damages in a personal injury lawsuit.

Our Mississippi defective and dangerous machinery accidents attorneys have successfully represented clients who have suffered injuries caused by machinery, equipment and tools on construction sites including the following:

  • Dump Trucks
  • Excavators
  • Power tools
  • Backhoes
  • Cranes
  • Backhoes
  • Aerial Lifts
  • Compactors

Because of the danger associated with heavy equipment on construction projects, it is essential that those using such equipment receive proper training and supervision.  When those operating heavy machinery receive insufficient training, the danger of a severe construction accident involving such equipment is unacceptably high and may result in catastrophic injuries or fatal construction accidents.  Injuries may also be caused by construction equipment that is defective or not properly maintained and serviced.  If you are injured by defective machinery, we may be able to pursue a product liability claim against the manufacturer of the defective equipment.  Any entities responsible for maintaining such heavy machinery on construction sites may also be liable for accidents that involve dangerous construction machinery that malfunctions.

Our experienced Mississippi construction machinery accident lawyers have over a century of experience carefully investigating accidents on construction sites before they change and critical evidence disappears or machinery is repaired.  We examine the circumstances of our clients’ dangerous or defective machinery accident to determine the factors and potential parties that may be liable for construction machinery injuries.  Our dedicated defective machinery attorneys also can advise you regarding your right to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against a third party in addition to a worker’s compensation claim against your employer.  At Barrett Law, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi.  Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.

/by

Mississippi Trench Collapse and Excavator Accidents

There is little dispute that the construction industry is the most dangerous occupation for serious accidents that result in debilitating injuries and fatalities.  While there are many dangers and hazards that pose a risk of serious injury or fatality on Mississippi construction sites.  Trenching and excavator accidents are among the most dangerous types of construction project hazards.  Trenching accidents can result in a horrific scenario where those in the trench are trapped and suffocated in cave-ins, trench collapses or sidewalk collapses.  Although OSHA promulgates specific regulations and safeguards that are designed to protect construction workers from trench collapse accidents, these regulations and safeguards are often ignored, frequently with tragic results.

Inexperienced or careless excavator operators, defectively designed or manufactured excavator equipment or lack of compliance with OSHA and other safety regulations may cause serious and even fatal trenching and excavator accidents.  A construction worker who is at the bottom of a trench can be extremely vulnerable when excavated soil accumulates too close to the edge of the trench compromising the strength of the trench wall.

When vibration from an excavator or backhoe is added to the equation, it can cause the sidewalls to collapse, and the soil that has accumulated next to the trench may cave in and cause body crush injuries or suffocation to anyone at the bottom of the trench.  When an excavator is operated too close to the edge of the trench, it can also cause the trench to collapse and/or the excavator to rollover.  When the excavator rolls over, it can crush the operator who is inside the excavator or those nearby working on the ground.  Another common type of excavator injury involves improperly secured buckets that fall from the excavator crushing those on the ground.

Although there are a wide range of trench collapse and excavator accidents that occur on construction sites, the most common types includes the following:

Unauthorized and Inexperienced Operators: if the operator of the excavator leaves the machinery unattended with the keys in the ignition, which is a common practice, an inexperienced person on the construction site may attempt to operate the excavator and cause a serious accident.

Excavator Collisions: An inattentive, inexperienced or careless excavator operator may collide with other heavy machinery being operated on the construction site, or pedestrians on the ground.  Distracted excavator drivers may remain unaware of potential driving hazards on the construction site or fail to notice construction workers in the path of the heavy machinery.  Operation of an excavator on a construction site requires an experienced driver because of the uneven and rough terrain that can make it easier for an excavator to be involved in a rollover accident.

Crush Injuries Caused by Improperly Secured Buckets: If the bucket of the excavator is not properly attached and secured it can fall and crush those on the ground.  Sometimes excavator operators who are rushing, inattentive or inexperienced fail to verify that the bucket is properly attached to the jib or that the quick hitch pins are properly secured in place.  Excavator crush accidents caused by falling buckets are particularly common with quick couplers, which the operator controls hydraulically from within the vehicle to facilitate quickly change the jib attachments.  This is an especially serious risk with older excavators that do not have manual safety pins.

Trench Collapse Accidents: The excavator operator may use the machinery too close to the edge of an improperly shored trench causing the trench to collapse and the excavator to rollover.  The operator of the excavator or anyone on the ground in the vicinity of the excavator may suffer catastrophic injuries.  An excavator should never be used close to a trench when someone is inside but a careless operator may fail to check and verify that it is safe.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data there were over 270 people killed in excavator and trench collapse accidents during a recent six year period.  We invite you to contact us if you have been involved in a trench collapse accident or excavator accident in Mississippi.  At Barrett Law, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi.  Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.

/by

Cranes Can Cause Life-Altering Injuries on Mississippi Construction Sites

While there are a multitude of potential hazards on construction sites, cranes are among the largest and most dangerous pieces of heavy machinery.  Construction accidents involving a collapsing crane or other crane related injury are more common than many people realize.  There are as many as sixty people that die each year in crane accidents on construction sites throughout the country.  Crane accidents can result in catastrophic injuries and wrongful death from a wide variety of hazards including falling loads, crane collapse incidents, electrocutions from contact with power lines, falls from the cab or platform and entrapment accidents.

The wide variety of types of crane accidents means those in and around cranes on construction sites must be vigilant regarding this multitude of risks.  The most common causes of crane accidents include operating cranes on uneven terrain or slippery ground as well as overloading the crane.  When a crane is used to lift an object that exceeds the weight capacity rating for the crane, it can result in devastating injuries.  These types of accidents can result in severe injuries including spinal cord injuries resulting in paraplegia or quadriplegia, traumatic brain injuries that may rob a victim of his or her cognitive abilities and other permanent debilitating injuries that require life-long supportive care.

Construction site injuries like crane injuries are complicated because worker’s compensation provides the exclusive remedy against an employer.  If the injuries suffered are severe, this compensation can leave a victim woefully under compensated.  Sometimes the manufacturer of the crane, the sub-contractor that owns the excavation equipment or other third parties may be liable for crane accident damages.  Our experienced Mississippi crane accident attorneys at Barrett Law always carefully investigate this possibility because personal injury damages against an entity or individual other than your employer can be far more lucrative than a worker’s compensation claim.

It is important to understand the urgency involved in seeking legal advice when you are injured in a construction accident.  The environment on a construction site is dynamic and ever evolving so the sooner you seek legal representation the quicker experts can examine the equipment and accident scene.  Sometimes defective or poorly maintained equipment is repaired destroying critical evidence.  In other situations, dangerous uneven terrain may be leveled, which also can create challenges in providing evidence of negligence.

At Barrett Law, our experienced Mississippi crane accident attorneys represent injury victims throughout Mississippi.  If you are injured by negligently operated or maintained heavy equipment on a construction site, our experienced Mississippi crane accident injury attorneys may be able to help you obtain compensation in both a worker’s compensation and personal injury claim.   Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.

 

/by