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Maryland Construction Accident Lawyer

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Construction accidents are the third most likely cause of work-related injury, after accidents caused by mining and agriculture. Some common causes of construction accidents include falls from scaffolding or other heights, motor vehicle accidents, carbon monoxide poisoning due to faulty gas mechanisms, forklift accidents, electrocution, machinery accidents, and injury due to falling objects. Others may include negligence of other site workers, mistakes and negligence caused by those under the influence of alcohol or drugs, defective machinery, or inappropriate behavior of other site workers.

Construction accident reports must be filed immediately following the injury. A construction accident lawyer should be retained after a construction accident report is filed. Construction accident attorneys can be found through the Maryland Bar Association. The Maryland statute of limitations requires that a suit be filed within three years.

The attorney will gather a list of several possible third-party defendants in order to ensure a better chance at winning a settlement. Any or all of several parties can be held accountable for a construction accident. Depending on the size and sophistication of the construction project, there can be a number of companies and individuals involved at a construction site, including the site's landowner, design and engineering professionals, contractors (including general, "prime," and "sub"-contractors), construction managers, and equipment and material suppliers. While many construction projects are based on general contract relationships (where a general contractor retained by the site owner enters into agreements with sub-contractors as needs require), larger projects are increasingly being handled by "construction management" organizations.

The type of system in place at a construction site where an injury occurs will be an important consideration in assessing the potential liability of the various individuals involved in the project, especially the site owner's liability. The person(s) liable could be your employer, another worker at the site, a contractor, or the manufacturer depending on your case. A lawyer would be able to determine who can be held responsible based upon the facts provided and the circumstances surrounding the accident. To determine who may be liable for injuries resulting from a construction accident, the attorney will take a close look at the duties and legal responsibilities of individuals involved in the construction project.

In Maryland and most other states, an injured worker is barred from suing the employer for negligence. That means that if the worker or the employer is 100% at fault, remedies will be limited to workers' compensation benefits. In other cases, there are instances where a general contractor has tried to claim that the employee of a subcontractor is actually acting as an employee of the general contractor in order to limit the damages under the worker's compensation laws to the construction worker. There is a narrow exception where the conduct of the employer is so outrageous as to be considered intentional or wanton and reckless. However, if a third party such as the employee of another supplier or contractor contributed to the accident, the injured party may still file suit on a third-party claim.

If you've been injured in a construction-site accident in Maryland, you should contact a construction accident lawyer as soon as possible. The lawyer can determine whether you have a workers' compensation case, or a potential personal injury lawsuit against a third-party. Accidents may result in hefty medical expenses or even death. If you have suffered an injury due to a construction accident or have lost a loved one due to a construction site accident, contact a Maryland construction accident lawyer attorney and receive the compensation you deserve.