Indianapolis Construction Site Accident Attorneys

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Construction Site Accident Attorneys in Indianapolis

Construction Site Accident Attorneys in IndianapolisThe Indianapolis construction site accident attorneys at Klezmer Maudlin have helped more than 31,000 injured workers in Indianapolis and throughout the state of Indiana get the compensation they need and deserve. We have over 100 years of combined experience fighting for workers’ rights and want to put our experience and legal expertise to work helping you.

If you have been seriously injured while you were working on an Indianapolis construction site, you most likely have many new challenges to deal with. Construction site injuries are often very serious and even life-changing. In addition, dealing with medical appointments and procedures, physical limitations and your financial situation can be very stressful for you and your whole family.

One thing you shouldn’t have to worry about, however, is how to pay for your medical treatments. In Indiana, the Workers Compensation system covers most employees who are injured while on the job. Workers Compensation benefits will pay for your medical care and provide weekly payments equal to a substantial part of your lost wages while you are unable to return to work.

Workers Compensation benefits are available no matter who was at fault for your accident, but if someone else caused or at least partially caused your injury, and they are not your employer or someone who works for your employer, you may also be able to file a lawsuit against them for compensatory damages. A personal injury claim against a negligent third party, such as someone who was working with you on the construction site but was employed by a different subcontractor, or a company, such as a manufacturer who made a defective crane, can help you obtain substantial compensation beyond that provided for Workers Compensation for your pain, suffering, mental anguish and other damages recoverable under Indiana law.

If you are having any problems applying for Workers Compensation benefits, if your benefits have been denied or are less than what you believe they should be, or if you want to find out if you can file a lawsuit, contact us for a free consultation.

Indianapolis Construction Site Accident Statistics

Construction site employment is booming in Indianapolis. In September 2021, there were approximately 62,700 construction workers employed in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson metropolitan area, according to a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s an increase of 10,800 more construction site workers in the Indianapolis area than the year before.

With so many people working on Indianapolis construction sites, there are, unfortunately, many workers getting injured or killed on the job. Construction sites have many hazards. Nationally, one out of five of all workers who are killed in work-related accidents are construction workers, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor. Statewide, the Indiana Department of Labor reports that 19 out of every thousand construction workers suffered a non-fatal injury in 2020.

The lawyers at Klezmer Maudlin have handled more than 31,000 Indiana Workers Compensation claims. Our Indianapolis construction site accident attorneys have helped construction workers who have suffered from a wide range of injuries get the compensation they and their families need. If you or a family member has been injured while on the job at a construction site, please contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and what we can do to help you get the benefits and compensation you need.

Falls at Construction Sites Can Be Life-changing Events For Workers and Their Families.

In many falls, workers suffer catastrophic brain injury or spinal injury. In too many cases, the worker cannot survive the harm that he or she suffers. If you are dealing with the consequences of a construction fall, we can provide the highly experienced and compassionate legal representation that you need during this challenging time. We want to make a difference for you.

Since we founded our law firm, we have helped more than 30,000 workers (including those harmed in construction accidents) in Indianapolis, Evansville and throughout Indiana explore and pursue workers compensation benefits and many other forms of relief available to them.

In fact, Thomson West selected attorneys Randal M. Klezmer and Nathan B. Maudlin to write a guide that is used by lawyers across the state: The Indiana Workers Compensation Law and Practice Manual.

Contact us to discuss your case. We can learn more about how your construction fall occurred, and craft a legal strategy that is tailored to meet your unique needs and goals.

Who Faces the Risk of a Fall Injury at Construction Sites?

Unfortunately, if you are a construction worker in Indiana, you have likely faced the risk of a fall every day on the job. As the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports, falls are a leading cause of injury and death in the construction industry.

When you are at a construction site, falls can occur in many different ways, including:

  • falls from roofs, scaffolding, ladders or other heights
  • falls from cranes, forklifts, bulldozers and other machines
  • falls due to slippery or uneven surfaces, snow, ice, or objects left in walkways
  • falls into trenches and other excavation areas
  • falls through exposed holes and other openings in floors and walls

Many construction workers, regretfully, face an increased risk of falls because their employers—or others at a job site—fail to follow state and federal safety regulations, or provide workers with faulty equipment.

OSHA, for instance, requires the use of “fall prevention” measures when workers operate at heights of six feet or higher above a lower level. These measures include providing:

In many cases, a worker may suffer a greater injury in a fall due to an employer’s failure to provide proper protective equipment such as head gear, or “hard hats.”

If you or a family member has suffered a construction fall injury, we can investigate your case to determine whether it was purely an “accident” or an incident that could have been prevented—all too often, the latter is the case.

What Injuries Can Result From Construction Site Falls?

The reality is that many workers who suffer falls in Indiana and across the country—especially roofers, framers and others working from heights—do not survive their injuries. During one recent year, OSHA reports, falls accounted for:

  • 359 of 899 deaths in the construction industry, or
  • 40 percent of all construction-related fatalities.

Even though a construction worker may survive a fall, at Klezmer Maudlin, PC we know how the workers life may never be the same due to his or her injuries—especially those which involve damage to the head and brain.

As the Brain Injury Association of America explains, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can permanently alter the way a person thinks, feels, behaves and moves.

If a construction worker suffers a severe form of TBI, it can lead to extensive medical costs for treatment and ongoing therapy. In fact, a Research America report estimated that, on average, a TBI victim faces $85,000 in lifetime medical care—although, in many cases, the costs can reach several million dollars.

You also must factor in the loss of income, diminished future earning ability, and the burden that an injury may place on family members who must serve as full- or part-time caregivers.

Even a mild form of TBI such as a concussion can lead to long-term problems for a person. If you fall at a construction site, it is always important to pay close attention to possible signs of a concussion and to seek medical treatment without delay.

In addition to head and brain injuries, construction workers can suffer many other types of serious injuries in a fall, including:

  • spinal injury (from slipped or herniated discs to paralysis)
  • fractures (especially in the hips, arms, legs and ankles)
  • soft tissue damage (including torn ligaments)

Often, a worker may have a pre-existing condition that is aggravated by a fall.

The attorneys of Klezmer Maudlin, PC can review your medical records to determine the full extent of physical, emotional and financial harm you have suffered in a fall.

We also will give your case the personal attention you deserve and identify the unique ways in which a fall has kept you from enjoying life as you did before the fall.

Can You File a Workers Compensation Claim For a Construction Fall Injury?

In most cases, if you suffer a personal injury or your loved one dies in a construction fall accident in Indiana, you would be eligible to file a claim for workers compensation benefits.

These benefits can include:

  • Medical benefits—Your employer, or its workers compensation insurer, should pay for all necessary medical costs related to your fall injury, including emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation and ongoing therapy.
  • Lost wage benefits—If you are unable to work due to your injury, you can receive weekly payments that cover two-thirds of your pre-injury weekly wage (for up to 500 weeks after the injury). If your injury allows you to work—but in a light-duty role—you could receive two-thirds of the difference between your wages now and what you earned before (for up to 300 weeks).
  • Permanent impairment benefits—If you lose or lose use of a body part or function due to a construction fall, you could receive benefits that are aimed at compensating you for that loss. These benefits often are paid in a lump sum.
  • Death benefits—If you are a dependent of a worker who died in a construction fall, you could be eligible to receive two-thirds of the average weekly wages that your loved one earned before the incident, as well as up to $7,500 in funeral expenses.

With our experience in handling workers compensation claims in Indianapolis, Evansville and throughout Indiana, Klezmer Maudlin, PC can help you explore all workers compensation benefits available to you. We can also help you appeal the denial of your benefits claim.

Can You File a Third-party Claim After a Construction Fall?

If you receive Indiana workers compensation benefits after a construction fall, you cannot bring a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against an employer. Workers compensation benefits will be your “exclusive remedy” against your employer.

On the one hand, you can receive these benefits without having to prove fault. However, workers compensation benefits often provide limited relief.

If the fall injury resulted from the negligence of a non-employer or co-worker, you could be eligible to pursue a personal injury or wrongful death claim against that “third party.”

Examples of third parties who could be held liable for a construction site fall are:

  • the owner of the construction site
  • a general contractor or subcontractor
  • the manufacturer of a defective piece of equipment (such as scaffolding).

In a third-party liability claim, you must prove fault (unlike a workers compensation claim). However, you could recover a significantly higher amount of compensation for your losses, including compensation for all of your lost wages, as well as pain and suffering damages.

If you are receiving workers compensation benefits and obtain a settlement from a negligent third party, your workers compensation insurer would likely seek to recover what it already provided to you. This is often done through a lien.

At Klezmer Maudlin, PC, we have represented numerous clients in third-party liability claims, including victims of construction falls. We can assess your case, determine if such a claim is available to you and aggressively pursue the maximum amount for you and your family.

How Can a Lawyer Help with your Construction Fall Injury Claim?

Like many Indiana workers who are injured in construction falls, you may be facing obstacles as you pursue workers compensation benefits and other relief. We believe it is important to work with a law firm that can use its skill and experience to help you overcome those obstacles.

When Klezmer Maudlin, PC takes on your case, we will conduct a thorough investigation of your fall accident to determine your eligibility for workers compensation benefits, as well as your right to pursue a third-party liability claim.

We can help you to:

  • file your claim for benefits
  • appeal your denied claim
  • file a lawsuit in the appropriate state or federal court
  • resolve any liens attached to your verdict or settlement so that you receive the amount owed efficiently

In many cases, we can work through mediation and obtain a settlement of a workers compensation claim and/or personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, which avoids the need for a hearing or trial.

At Klezmer Maudlin, PC, we never charge an upfront fee for our services. Additionally, with limited exceptions, we also will collect our out-of-pocket expenses from the money you recover—not from you.

Common Types of Construction Site Hazards That Cause Serious Injuries

According to OSHA, the four most dangerous types of construction site accidents are caused by falling, being struck by a vehicle or machinery, being caught in a trench or excavation, and being electrocuted. If you have been seriously injured by any of these or any other type of construction site accident, you may have a difficult period of recovery and need extensive medical care and rehabilitation. The Indianapolis construction site accident attorneys at Klezmer Maudlin can help you with the financial aspects of your recovery so you can focus your time and energy on healing from your injuries.

Indianapolis Construction Site Falls

Falls are the most common cause of fatal injuries for construction site workers and a common cause of non-fatal injuries. Falls from high places can happen when there are:

  • Holes in floors
  • Openings in walls
  • Unprotected sides
  • Problems with scaffolding
  • Problems with ladders
  • Unguarded protruding steel rebars

Workers can also fall while walking if they slip on wet or slippery surfaces, trip over objects left in aisles or paths, or if they walk on rough or uneven surfaces.

Indianapolis Construction Site Struck-By Accidents

Another common cause of serious and fatal construction site injuries are accidents where a worker is struck by a heavy object. These accidents include being struck by:

  • Trucks, cranes, backhoes, cars, and other heavy vehicles and equipment
  • Heavy objects that are falling or flying through the air
  • Concrete or masonry walls while being constructed

Indianapolis Construction Site Trenching and Excavation Accidents

Construction workers engaging in trenching and excavation may be seriously injured by:

  • Trenches caving in
  • Being struck while excavating by heavy equipment, a vehicle on a public road, or falling loads
  • Electrical hazards from power lines

Indianapolis Construction Site Electrical Dangers

Construction workers can be electrocuted by:

  • Contacting power lines
  • Lack of ground-fault protection
  • Defective or improperly used equipment
  • Defective or improperly used extension cords

Other Indianapolis Construction Site Hazards

Other causes of construction site injuries and illnesses include:

  • Tool and equipment accidents
  • Exposure to toxic substances
  • Exposure to noise
  • Fires
  • Defective, insufficient, or improperly used personal protective equipment

While many accidents happen in an instant, some workplace illnesses and conditions develop over time. For example, long-term exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer, which often doesn’t appear until many years after exposure. Exposure to noise can also cause problems over the long run. According to the CDC, half of all construction workers have been exposed to a dangerous level of noise, according to the CDC, and 14% have hearing difficulties.

Help From Experienced Indianapolis Construction Site Accident Lawyers

Randal Klezmer Attorney
Randal Klezmer, Construction Accident Attorney

The law firm of Klezmer Maudlin has been dedicated to helping injured workers in Indianapolis and throughout Indiana for more than 25 years. We have extensive knowledge of Indiana Workers Compensation law. In fact, we wrote the Thomson Reuters book on Indiana Workers Compensation law that attorneys throughout the state use as a practice guide and a trusted source of information.

Our Indianapolis personal injury lawyers are dedicated to fighting for justice for injured workers. We stand up for the rights of workers against employers and insurance companies and ensure that our clients get all the benefits and compensation they are entitled to receive. When it comes to workers compensation we wrote the book. We get great satisfaction from making a difference for workers, their families, and our communities.

We can help you if you:

  • Run into problems with your Workers Compensation claim
  • Are turned down for Workers Compensation benefits
  • Are receiving Workers Compensation benefits but feel something is wrong (for example, if the insurance company is sending you to different doctors to try to avoid paying for expensive care)
  • Are receiving your Workers Compensation benefits late
  • Are not getting proper treatment for your injuries
  • Need an experienced Indiana Workers Compensation attorney to represent you in a Workers Compensation appeal
  • Want to know if you can file a personal injury lawsuit against a third-party for damages

Contact us at 317-597-6293 or fill out the on our website for a free consultation where we will answer your questions and evaluate your case. We will get back to you quickly, usually within 24 hours. We don’t charge any fees or costs unless you win your case and receive benefits or an award.

Klezmer Maudlin Indianapolis Office Location

8520 Center Run Dr
Indianapolis, IN 46250
317-597-6293