Columbia Fatal Construction Accidents
Construction work is inherently dangerous, and the risk of life-threatening injuries is severe. Employees on these job sites use heavy machinery and dangerous equipment every day. Employees also face the risk of debris falling on them. While construction workers and their employers must closely follow safety guidelines, accidents are often unavoidable.
You can obtain compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit when you lose a loved one in a Columbia fatal construction accident. In Missouri, family members can pursue compensation on behalf of those who died because of someone else’s negligence. Wrongful death laws are complicated, so consulting a trusted construction accident lawyer is vital. Call the Law Offices of Chris Miller for help.
How Do Construction Accidents Occur?
Construction workers face many hazards on job sites that contribute to job-related deaths across the country. OSHA reports one in five work-related deaths is due to a fatal construction accident. In Columbia, deadly construction accidents can happen due to electrocutions, falling debris, accidents with equipment, or falling from heights.
The leading cause of death for construction workers is falling from heights like buildings, scaffolding, ladders, or roofs. When construction workers do not use scaffolding correctly, they fall, slip, or get hit by heavy objects. Some incidents happen when a worker gets struck by a vehicle, machine, or falling object. For example, cranes can hit an employee and cause devastating injuries. While construction work has inherent risks, employers must take precautions to protect workers from fatal injuries.
Construction Wrongful Death Lawsuits
When someone dies in a construction accident, their family members could recover damages on their behalf. In Missouri, the deceased person’s spouse, children, parents, siblings, or executor could file a wrongful death claim following a construction incident. In a wrongful death lawsuit, surviving family members seek compensation in the same way the employee would have through a personal injury claim had they survived. In a wrongful death lawsuit for a fatal construction injury, family members could recover the cost of the funeral and burial, medical care related to the injury, loss of companionship or consortium, and any other related losses to the death of their loved one.
Like many states, Missouri has a statute of limitations that applies to wrongful death lawsuits. Generally, family members or estate representatives have three years from the construction worker’s death to file a civil lawsuit. Failure to meet this deadline could forfeit the right to financial recovery. Discuss filing a construction wrongful death lawsuit with an experienced personal injury attorney.
Speak to an Attorney in Columbia Today to Discuss Fatal Construction Accidents
As Columbia fatal construction accident lawyers, we frequently represent the family members of workers who lost their life on construction sites in wrongful death lawsuits. In many cases, fatal construction accidents are due to a breach of safety protocol, lack of training, or human error. Our experienced litigators will investigate the cause of the accident to determine who is legally responsible. Depending on the circumstances, the deceased construction worker’s employer could be responsible. Other times, contractors or equipment manufacturers are to blame.
Missouri’s wrongful death laws can be complicated, so discussing the case with a Columbia construction wrongful death attorney is beneficial. Contact our legal team members at the Law Offices of Chris Miller when you have questions about pursuing compensation on behalf of your loved one.