Oklahoma City Construction Accident Lawyer

Construction and industrial work are quite dangerous since workers perform strenuous physical labor, work at great heights, and/or handle heavy machinery. Although there are safety standards in place to protect these workers from harm, tens of thousands of workplace injuries and over 1,000 fatal incidents occur annually. Simple accidents are the cause of many injuries, while others are caused by negligence or carelessness of another party and could’ve been prevented.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction or industrial accident in Oklahoma, our legal team at the Law Offices of Stipe & Belote can help you obtain the financial compensation necessary to help you make the best possible recovery from injury. With decades of collective legal experience and tens of millions of dollars recovered for our clients, we can investigate your accident, collect evidence, negotiate with insurance adjusters, and help you get the compensation and justice you deserve.

Contact us today and schedule a free case review.

Common Types of Construction Accidents

Known as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) “Fatal Four” causes of construction accidents—falls, being struck by an object, electrocutions, and getting caught in-between—these types of incidents account for nearly 65 percent of all construction industry injuries and fatalities each year.

The following is a breakdown of each common type of construction accident:

1. Falls – Considered the leading cause of construction industry deaths, falls result in 362 fatalities annually. Common causes of falls include floor holes, unprotected sides, wall openings, improper scaffold construction, and improperly positioned ladders.
2. Struck-by – Falling objects, vehicles, and even attempting to build walls cause struck-by injuries. Most of these injuries—approximately 75 percent—are caused by heavy machinery and equipment such as cranes and trucks.
3. Electrocutions – Common causes of electrocution injuries and fatalities are coming into contact with power lines, improper use of equipment (human error), and problems with ground-fault protection.
4. Caught in-between – Also known as an excavation or trenching injury, caught in-between injuries result in exposure to harmful chemicals and oxygen deprivation. Common causes include lack of trench or protective system inspections, no protective system, unsafe access or exit, and unsafe spoil-pile placement.

Recovery Options for Injured Construction & Industrial Workers

There are two main ways construction workers can recover financial compensation to pay for medical expenses and lost income: a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury lawsuit. There are several factors injured workers must take into consideration to determine which type of claim to file.

In most cases, injured construction workers will be eligible for workers’ compensation. When an employee suffers a workplace injury, he/she is automatically entitled to compensation to pay for medical expenses and lost income, even if the employer wasn’t negligent when the accident occurred. However, workers’ compensation doesn’t include noneconomic damages like pain and suffering or emotional distress.

On the other hand, if a construction worker was injured by someone not associated with his/her employer or faulty machinery, he/she can file a personal injury lawsuit against the third party or machinery manufacturer. A personal injury award includes both economic and noneconomic damages, which means higher compensation compared to workers’ comp.

Schedule a Free Consultation Today

Our Oklahoma construction accident attorney can review your case and determine your available legal options to seek the maximum award for your work injuries. We provide our effective and personalized legal solutions on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t have to pay us any upfront costs or fees throughout the legal process until we win your case.

For more information about construction accidents in Oklahoma, call (888) 842-1374 today.