Construction Accident Lawyer
Construction Accident Attorneys in NC, SC & GA
Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in America. According to OSHA, approximately 1,000 construction workers die on the job each year, and hundreds of thousands more suffer serious injuries. The hazards are well-known — falls from heights, struck-by incidents, electrocution, caught-in/between accidents, and exposure to hazardous materials. Yet many construction companies prioritize speed and profit over worker safety, resulting in preventable injuries and deaths.
At Dr. Ted Injury Law, our construction accident attorneys represent injured construction workers throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. While workers' compensation benefits may be available, construction accident victims often have additional legal options including third-party liability claims against general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, and equipment manufacturers that can provide significantly greater compensation.
OSHA's Fatal Four
OSHA identifies four types of accidents that account for the majority of construction worker deaths:
- Falls — Falls from scaffolding, ladders, roofs, and other elevated surfaces are the leading cause of construction fatalities. OSHA requires fall protection for workers at heights of six feet or more.
- Struck-by incidents — Workers struck by falling objects, swinging loads, vehicles, and equipment.
- Electrocution — Contact with overhead power lines, faulty wiring, and ungrounded equipment.
- Caught-in/between — Workers caught in or compressed by equipment, machinery, or collapsing structures, including trench cave-ins.
Common Construction Injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries from falls and struck-by incidents
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and crush injuries
- Amputations from heavy machinery
- Burns from electrical contact, chemicals, or explosions
- Hearing loss from prolonged noise exposure
- Respiratory diseases from dust, asbestos, or chemical exposure
- Eye injuries from flying debris
Third-Party Liability in Construction Accidents
Workers' compensation is typically the exclusive remedy against your employer, but construction sites involve multiple parties. You may have third-party claims against:
- General contractors — For failing to maintain safe site conditions.
- Subcontractors — For creating hazards that injure workers from other trades.
- Property owners — For known hazards on the property.
- Equipment manufacturers — For defective tools, machinery, or safety equipment.
- Architects and engineers — For design defects that create unsafe conditions.
OSHA Violations as Evidence
OSHA safety standards are extensive and cover virtually every aspect of construction site safety. Violations of OSHA standards can serve as powerful evidence of negligence in a construction accident case. Common violations include inadequate fall protection, missing guardrails, scaffold deficiencies, trench protection failures, and hazard communication failures.
State Laws
North Carolina
Workers' compensation covers most construction workers. Third-party claims against non-employers are governed by general negligence law. Contributory negligence applies to third-party claims. The statute of limitations for third-party claims is 3 years.
South Carolina
Workers' compensation applies. Third-party claims use comparative negligence. The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Georgia
Workers' compensation applies. Third-party claims use comparative negligence. The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Contact Us
If you have been injured on a construction site, contact Dr. Ted Injury Law for a free consultation. We evaluate both workers' compensation and third-party claims to maximize your recovery.
Related Case Results
Our client was driving home from work on Interstate 85 near Charlotte when an 18-wheeler whose driver had exceeded federal hours-of-service limits ran a red light at a highway interchange, causing a devastating multi-vehicle collision. Our client suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, and required months of intensive rehabilitation. Through exhaustive investigation, we uncovered falsified driver logs and a pattern of safety violations by the trucking company. After a two-week trial, the jury returned a verdict of $12.5 million, one of the largest trucking accident verdicts in North Carolina history.
A 42-year-old mother of three went to a Charlotte-area hospital for a routine gallbladder removal. Due to the surgeon's negligence, her bile duct was severed during the procedure, leading to a life-threatening infection, multiple corrective surgeries, and permanent digestive complications. Our team retained leading surgical experts who testified that the surgeon deviated from the standard of care. The case was resolved through mediation for $9.2 million, providing our client with the resources to cover her ongoing medical needs and compensate her family for the profound impact on their lives.
A commercial truck driver lost control of his vehicle on a steep descent near Asheville when the truck's brakes failed due to inadequate maintenance. The truck struck our client's vehicle head-on, killing the 38-year-old father of two. Our investigation revealed that the trucking company had repeatedly deferred required brake inspections and that the driver had reported brake issues weeks before the accident. We settled with the trucking company and the maintenance provider for a combined $8.7 million for the surviving family.
A construction worker at a high-rise project in downtown Charlotte fell 40 feet when his safety harness, manufactured by a major equipment company, failed due to a defective buckle mechanism. He suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury resulting in permanent paralysis from the waist down. We pursued claims against both the equipment manufacturer and the general contractor, ultimately recovering $7.8 million through settlement. The case led to a voluntary recall of the defective harness model.