As Las Vegas’s construction projects resume work and the construction workforce climbs again — recently surpassing 60,000 active workers — Southern Nevada’s development dreams inch closer and closer to reality. Unfortunately, this also comes with an increased risk of construction accidents. Considering there were only 30,000 construction workers back in 2012, it’s easy to understand why this danger is now more prevalent.

Our team of attorneys has worked for decades to help people injured on construction sites in the Las Vegas metro area. We have helped clients who sustained injuries on the job secure workers’ compensation benefits, and we’ve successfully handled personal injury claims for pedestrians and other non-workers injured on or near construction sites. If you have been injured due to a construction accident, Murphy & Murphy Law Offices will fight for you to receive the compensation that you deserve.

How Do Construction Accidents Happen in the Las Vegas Area?

Though construction-related deaths among workers are rare in the Las Vegas metro area — as well as in the state of Nevada as a whole — the immense fluctuations in employment and the number of available projects can lead to improper workplace safety. In addition, current estimates state that Las Vegas is several thousand workers short of the workforce it will need to complete all current projects on time. The rush to fill this employment gap may prompt construction industry contractors to hire less-skilled workers to make up the difference. This disregard for workplace practices combined with insufficient training can lead to construction accidents.

Much as throughout the United States, there are four types of accidents, dubbed the “Fatal Four,” that make up almost two-thirds of all fatal construction accidents. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that falling is the most frequent cause of serious injuries and deaths on construction sites. Falling from heights, slipping on slick surfaces, and stumbling over uneven floors caused just under four out of every ten of construction worker deaths during a recent year. Improperly nailed sheetrock, puddles being allowed to form, and insufficiently tightened scaffolding all create the potential for a construction-related injury.

The other three members of the Fatal Four are motor vehicle collisions, contact with falling or moving objects, and becoming trapped. Auto accidents constitute about 25% of dangerous injuries and fatalities among both pedestrians and construction workers. Between 15 and 20% of workers are wounded after an impact by an object in motion, and another three out of every twenty deaths stem from severe heat, electrocution, toxic substances, and similarly hazardous causes.

What’s the Cause of These Accidents?

Unfortunately, contractors and subcontractors do not always respect the safety standards for construction sites. Far too many injuries stem from violations of these standards, and broken bones are far from the only outcome. Suffering a brain injury or something similarly severe — or even dying on the job — are potential risks of the occupation. These dangers can result from issues such as a lack of communication, failure to provide proper ventilation, inadequate insulation or organization of live wires, and neglect in the maintenance of scaffolding.

Anyone who is injured while on a construction site, whether they’re a pedestrian or a worker, can consult our Las Vegas construction accident lawyer for guidance regarding their legal options. Employees have workers’ compensation rights that can cover their medical expenses and more following an injury, and non-employees can file a personal injury lawsuit if the insurance company isn’t ready to make a fair offer. These cases can be quite complex, though, so you’ll need an experienced construction accident lawyer on your side.

Contact Murphy & Murphy Law Offices today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case and help you understand your best approach to recover compensation.

Construction Site Workers’ Comp Claim vs Personal Injury Claim

Whether you’re employed by the construction company when injured on or near a worksite won’t affect potential medical expenses, lost wages, or the lasting damage caused by the injury. What will be affected by this distinction, however, is the approach necessary to recover financial damages. A workers’ compensation claim can provide injured employees with what they or their families need to get by. Unfortunately, a denied claim can leave an individual facing serious difficulties.

Workers’ compensation insurance allows employees to receive benefits without ever going to court. If fair compensation isn’t provided, though, a courtroom may be exactly where the case ends up. This is similar to when non-workers are injured on or near construction sites. They’re not guaranteed medical treatment and other expenses like workers’ comp theoretically offers, so they have to seek compensation through liable companies or their insurers. If you’re in such a situation, it’s important to contact a construction accident lawyer today to safeguard your rights.

Regardless of whether someone was on the job when an accident occurred, the potential to encounter problems with insurance companies is ever-present. You might need an experienced law firm on your side to receive workers’ compensation benefits or a fair settlement. And if the company or insurer doesn’t treat a victim fairly, a construction accident attorney may be able to hold them accountable.

When to Contact a Construction Accident Injury Attorney in Las Vegas

If you sustain construction accident injuries, you may wonder whether you should contact an attorney at all. Perhaps your workers’ compensation claim has been approved, or maybe the company’s insurance provider reached out and offered you a settlement. The right time to contact a construction accident lawyer in Las Vegas, though, is prior to either of these things happening. Once you agree to something through the insurer, you may remove your ability to secure additional compensation.

The fact is that insurers want you to take as little money as possible. This is true whether you’re a worker with repetitive motion injuries or surviving family members with a wrongful death claim. Even if you think you’re receiving a fair offer, it doesn’t hurt to reach out to a personal injury attorney from California & Nevada— and the time to do so is right away. This will ensure you know exactly what to expect and how much your case may be worth.

This is not an attempt to get the money you’re not owed. After all, traumatic brain injuries can have serious consequences that aren’t known for years. And if you’re a construction worker, how do you know you won’t experience additional lost wages when a leg injury “flares up” a few years from now? The important thing to remember is that it doesn’t hurt to speak with a lawyer — especially if they offer a free consultation like the legal professionals at Murphy & Murphy Law Offices.

Don’t let construction companies walk over you. Contact us today, and we’ll fight every cent you’re owed.

How Much Does Experience Matter?

Even though employment in the field of construction has still not returned to its pre-Recession levels, personal injury law firms in Las Vegas — as well as the greater Clark County — still have significant experience with construction accident cases. Whether their clients have loved ones who perished on construction sites or the clients themselves were injured, our Las Vegas construction accident lawyer is closely acquainted with the ins and outs of these types of personal injury cases.

Pedestrians who sustained injuries while walking on or near a construction site might worry that — because they were not employees of the construction company — their claims may not be valid. Perhaps they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, or maybe they blame themselves for being careless. The situation is similar for construction workers, who can become anxious that they may lose their jobs by pursuing legal action. In reality, there is no reason to second-guess asking experienced construction accident lawyers in Las Vegas for help.

An attorney with experience in construction accident law — especially where workers’ compensation and negligence are concerned — will be well equipped to represent you and your interests in court.

Contact An Experienced Las Vegas Construction Accident Lawyer

You may find it daunting to file a legal claim following an injury on a construction site, but you must remember that your health is of paramount importance. If anything proves to be a threat to your health — such as an unsafe condition on a construction site — you have every right to seek justice. As soon as you have recovered from your most severe injuries, your first step should be to reach out to an experienced Las Vegas construction accident lawyer.

Provide your attorney with as much information and as many documents related to the accident as possible, and be sure to do this during your initial consultation to save time. Every detail has the potential to be crucial to your case, so it is important to remain open, honest, and willing to follow all your attorney’s instructions and recommendations. If you have any lingering questions about what to expect as you begin legal proceedings, dedicated construction accident lawyer Craig Murphy would be glad to assist you at every step of your case.

Contact us today at Murphy & Murphy Law Offices by calling today at (702) 369-9696 to learn how our personal injury lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve.