(Transcript)

Welcome to our series of frequently asked questions. I’m Jim Adler, The Texas Hammer. Today, we’re tackling a serious topic: construction machinery accidents. Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in America, and construction machinery is one reason why. We’ll talk about common construction machinery accidents, the injuries they cause and what an injured person can do about them.

Machines are an important part of construction work. With modern machinery, construction jobs can be done much sooner. But like all machines, construction machines can be dangerous. They’re heavy, they’re powerful, and they’re often designed for tasks like cutting or digging that can be dangerous.

Because of this, construction machinery accidents are among the most common kinds of accidents at a construction site. Cranes can collapse, and machines can roll over. Machines can lose their grip on heavy objects. Operators can lose control of their machines. In fact, construction equipment operators have some of the most dangerous jobs in the construction industry. Operating heavy equipment and working with power tools are two of the most dangerous jobs in construction—along with roofing, painting, electrician work, demolition, structural iron and steel work, high-rise construction and natural resource extraction.

The great force that construction machinery generates can endanger the operator of the machine, but it can also endanger workers who happen to be nearby. A construction site is a team, with many people working closely to achieve the same goals. Those people can get seriously hurt in an accident. Heavy construction machinery moves more quickly and carries more weight than a human being could. Sometimes, it has sharp parts. People who get in the way can suffer broken bones, head and spinal injuries, severe burns, and even death. Sewer and ditch digging construction workers can find themselves inside a duct or tunnel that can collapse. These injuries are almost guaranteed to take the victims out of work for a long time, and in some cases, they could lead to a permanent disability or even death.

Unfortunately, these kinds of accidents are often caused by bad decisions from human beings. After all, machines can’t be operated and maintained without people. Human judgment is also required to make sure a machine is being operated safely. Construction employers may cut corners with safety, skipping maintenance or employee training about how to use dangerous equipment. Individual operators may fail to follow basic safety rules or stick to load limits. All of this exposes employees to danger.

To make matters worse, construction accidents almost always mean dealing with an insurance company. That’s because you may be able to make a claim on your employer’s workers’ compensation, and you may also be able to sue another business or contractor that’s at fault or an equipment manufacturer for your injury. Either way, the money comes from an insurance company. And because serious injuries can be very expensive, the insurance company might pull some sneaky tricks to avoid paying. If an insurance company pressures you to sign or record something, don’t do it before you talk to an experienced injury lawyer.

We’ve been in business for more than 40 years, so we’ve seen all the most common tricks from insurance companies. If you’re claiming workers’ compensation, we can help you fight back against insurance companies that deny your claim or employers that punish you for making a claim to begin with.  Additionally if there is what’s called a 3^rd party claim or if there’s no workers’ compensation available, we can help you sue. You can claim the cost of all your medical bills, your lost wages while you can’t work, pain and suffering, any permanent disability and more. If more than one business was involved in your accident, we may be able to help you get both kinds of compensation.

Construction accidents are very serious, but they don’t have to be the end of the story. If you’re ready to talk to someone about your case and your legal options, Jim Adler & Associates would like to hear from you. For a free case evaluation, fill out our contact form at jimadler.com or call us toll-free at 1-800-567-7575.