Kansas City construction accident lawyers

Construction Site Accident Lawyers in Kansas and Missouri

More than 30 years of experience fighting for injured construction site workers

New homes, hotels, office buildings, and bridges (such as the Rock Island Bridge Project) are continually being built throughout Kansas City. Construction companies are regularly repairing, widening, and improving roads. Carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and many other types of contractors contribute to this work. The Kansas City Business Journal has an interactive map of current construction projects.

It’s essential that the workers who complete these construction projects and nearby people (pedestrians and drivers) stay safe from accidents, injuries, and fatalities. At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we represent employees, independent contractors, and non-construction workers when accidents happen at construction sites.

Our Kansas and Missouri construction site accident lawyers file personal injury lawsuits, product liability lawsuits, and claims for workers’ compensation benefits. We work with liability experts to show why construction companies are negligent and with your doctors to show the full scope and severity of your injuries. Call us today if you’ve been in a construction accident.

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Practice Areas

What different kinds of construction site accidents do you handle?

At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we handle all types of building site construction and roadway site construction accidents, including the following:

  • Falls from heights. These include falls from ladders, scaffolding, roofs, and higher floors. Safety measures include personal protective equipment, such as harnesses.
  • Struck-by accidents. These include being struck by items that fall or machines that move. Barriers and warning signs can help protect workers and the public.
  • Electrical accidents. Electrical currents can be fatal. Protective measures include electrical grounding and insulated tools.
  • Caught in between accidents. These construction accidents refer to workers who are crushed or pinned by machines, equipment, or walls.
  • Slips, trips, and falls. Workers may fall due to cables, debris, wet surfaces, tools, and other causes.
  • Fires and explosions. Dangerous chemicals should be properly stored. Flammable objects should be identified. Fires and explosions can kill or severely injure multiple victims.
  • Exposure to dangerous chemicals. Workers can suffer respiratory and skin disorders due to breathing in or coming into contact with lead, asbestos, and other hazardous materials.
  • Vehicle accidents. Many construction sites use trucks, bulldozers, cranes, and other moving vehicles or machines. The owners of the sites need to ensure that workers, pedestrians, and drivers don’t come into contact with these vehicles and machines.
  • Machinery accidents. Forklifts, cranes, and many other machines can cause serious injuries and deaths if they are not properly used or if the machines are defective.
  • Burn injuries. These include thermal, chemical, and electrical burns.
  • Defective tools, machines, and equipment. Manufacturers may be liable for defective products. Construction companies may be liable for failing to inspect their machines, equipment, and tools.

Other types of construction accidents include trench collapses.

Why do construction site accidents happen in Missouri and Kansas?

Our Kansas City construction accident lawyers work with industry professionals to understand why construction accidents happen and to hold the responsible people accountable. Common causes include:

  • Failing to conduct routine inspections
  • Failing to provide the proper safety equipment and training
  • Not complying with federal, state, and local building requirements
  • Not complying with industry standards
  • Not ensuring that workers receive proper rest breaks
  • Not providing proper warnings
  • Failing to close off the construction site to non-workers
  • Failing to properly direct vehicle traffic away from the construction site
  • Many other causes, depending on the type of construction project

What safety regulations govern construction?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has many compliance requirements, including specific safety requirements for:

Missouri and Kansas have numerous state and local building codes and safety regulations.

Each type of construction industry should have its own safety standards.

What happens if construction companies violate OSHA safety regulations?

Our Kansas City OSHA violation attorneys hold construction businesses accountable when OSHA violations or other safety violations contribute to injuries or deaths by filing appropriate claims against those responsible. We seek personal injury compensation, wrongful death compensation, and workers’ compensation benefits.

What injuries happen at construction sites?

Our Kansas City personal injury lawyers handle all types of serious injuries (including catastrophic, permanent, and chronic injuries) that occur at construction sites. Common construction site injuries (to workers and non-workers) include the following:

What are the different kinds of construction accident lawsuits in Missouri and Kansas?

At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we file different types of claims, depending on whether you were a worker (and, if so, the type of worker) or a non-worker.

Generally, employees file workers’ compensation claims. They may be able to file a third-party claim, such as when their injuries are due to a defective product. If a construction site accident is fatal, the workers’ family can seek workers’ compensation death benefits, according to Missouri or Kansas law.

Independent contractors and non-workers may be able to file a personal injury claim against construction site companies and any other responsible defendants, depending on workers’ compensation exclusivity and statutory-employer rules. If a construction site accident is deadly, the family can file a wrongful death claim against the responsible defendants.

We can explain if a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. You may qualify as an employee even if your employer says that you’re an independent contractor if your employer controls your work schedule and job duties, and other factors support employee status.

Workers’ compensation

Employees who suffer injuries due to a construction accident in Kansas or Missouri can seek workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits include:

  • Medical expenses. Your employer should pay for reasonable and necessary medical expenses you need to maximize your health and to keep your health stable once you’ve reached the point of maximum medical improvement. Reasonable medical expenses include emergency transportation, emergency care, hospitalizations, physician visits, rehabilitative therapy, assistive technology and devices, and medications.
  • Temporary disability benefits.Employees can seek payment for a percentage of their lost wages while they are medically unable to work, subject to Missouri or Kansas law. The percentages and caps in Missouri and Kansas differ. Our Kansas City work injury lawyers can explain the amount of benefits you can receive.
  • Permanent disability benefits.Once a worker reaches the point of maximum medical improvement, an evaluation is made as to whether the worker has a qualifying permanent disability and the severity of the disability. Based on these analyses, the worker may receive additional compensation.
  • Vocational benefits.Some workers may qualify to receive education or training expenses so they can work in a new job, depending on relevant state law.

Workers’ compensation benefits do not include pain and suffering. However, since there is no need to prove fault/negligence in a workers’ compensation case, these benefits are often an option even when a personal injury case wouldn’t be possible.

Personal injury

Workers and non-workers who qualify can file a personal injury lawsuit against construction companies and other responsible defendants (such as the owner of the property, contractors, subcontractors, architects, and engineers).

You must prove that a defendant’s negligence or fault is the cause of your injuries or the death of a loved one. Personal injury damages include your past and future damages, including:

  • Medical expenses by every medical provider
  • All provable lost income (not just a percentage)
  • Your daily physical pain and emotional suffering
  • Any property damage
  • The inability to enjoy life’s pleasures
  • The inability to use a part of your body
  • Scars and disfigurement compensation
  • Loss of marital companionship

We also seek wrongful death damages if a construction accident is fatal.

Third-party claims

Employees, independent contractors, and non-workers (and their families) can all file product liability claims if a defective product causes injuries or death. Our Kansas City construction accident lawyers file strict liability claims, breach of warranty claims, and negligence claims if defective machines, equipment, or tools cause harm.

Products may be defective due to faulty design, poor workmanship, a failure to provide warnings, or unclear instructions.

Generally, the damages in a product liability claim are the same as those in a personal injury claim.

Who do your lawyers hold responsible for construction accidents in Kansas City?

The defendants may include:

  • The construction site owner
  • The owner of the property where the construction is taking place
  • General contractors
  • Subcontractors
  • Architects
  • Engineers
  • Governmental agencies, where state law permits

Why do construction accident victims choose Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys?

Our work injury lawyers understand the complex challenges in handling workers’ compensation claims and appeals of denials. We work with independent doctors, vocational experts, and other experts to verify the seriousness of your injuries and your ability to work. If you have a personal injury claim, we work with the police, investigators, and other liability professionals.

Our team anticipates and works to counter the arguments the insurance companies are likely to make to try to deny or limit your claim.

Our Missouri and Kansas lawyers are ready to handle your claim in the following counties, among others:

  • Jackson County
  • Platte County
  • Clay County
  • Cass County
  • Johnson County
  • Wyandotte County

We provide aggressive representation while communicating with our clients regularly and preparing our clients for each step of the claims process.

What should victims do when construction accidents happen?

The main steps you should take are:

  • If you’re injured at a construction site in Missouri or Kansas, you should promptly notify a supervisor or manager at the site, especially if you are an employee.
  • You should seek prompt medical care to help obtain a better medical recovery and to support your legal claim.
  • You should contact our experienced construction accident lawyers.

Other steps, depending on injuries and safety concerns, include:

  • Taking photos of the accident site and your injuries
  • Getting the contact information for any witnesses

You should not discuss your case with anyone who works for the defendants, such as their insurance companies, investigators, or attorneys. It’s best to speak with us first.

Kansas City construction site accident FAQs

How long do I have to file a construction accident claim?

Don’t wait. Contact our Kansas City construction accident attorney as soon as possible to help preserve your legal rights.

If you’re an employee, you must notify your employer promptly.

Many personal injury claims must be filed within five years in Missouri and two years in Kansas, though some claims may be subject to different deadlines.

Generally, workers’ compensation claims in Missouri and Kansas are subject to specific statutory filing deadlines, although certain circumstances may affect those deadlines.

Why should I hire a construction accident lawyer?

Don’t handle your claim on your own. Construction accident cases are very complicated. There are many time limits, procedural requirements, and evidence requirements. The insurance companies for the defendants will often contest your right to benefits. You will likely not receive all the compensation you deserve.

At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we can answer your questions, explain your rights, review your medical care, file the proper claims, and fight for a fair outcome in your case.

What evidence helps prove a construction injury case?

The main types of evidence are:

  • Liability evidence. In personal injury cases, we work with investigators, product safety experts, industry safety experts, and others to help show how your construction accident happened and who is responsible.
  • Medical evidence. We can review your medical diagnosis, necessary treatments, and all the ways your injuries are affecting your life with your doctors and our network of doctors.
  • Evidence of other damages. We can work to show your lost income, property damage, and all other financial and non-economic damages.

Can subcontractors be held responsible for injuries?

This is a complex question. It depends on whether you’re an employee, an independent contractor, or a non-worker.

Generally, employees may be able to file a claim against a subcontractor that is not their employer if the subcontractor is legally responsible for the construction accident.

Independent contractors and non-workers may be able to file their personal injury claim against any responsible third-parties, including subcontractors.

Where do your Kansas City construction site accident lawyers meet clients?

We meet construction accident victims and families at our Kansas City office located at 510 Walnut Street, Suite 100, near City Hall.

We also meet clients at the following offices by appointment.

Our lawyers can consult with clients by phone or via online video platforms. If your injuries prevent you from traveling, we’re often able to make alternate arrangements to meet with you.

Contact our respected construction accident lawyers today

At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we’ll answer your questions, explain your rights, and fight for all the compensation you deserve.

Please call us or contact us today for a free consultation. We handle construction accident cases on a contingency fee basis.

KC construction accident lawyers