Every year, victims of New Mexico construction accidents suffer devastating injuries. New Mexico construction workers are exposed to physical hazards, chemical hazards, and potential explosions during their workday. When construction workers work on their job site, they have a right to be reasonably safe. When construction workers are injured in an accident because of their employer’s negligence, or equipment malfunctions, they may be entitled to compensation for their injuries.
If you or your loved one have sustained a serious or life-threatening injury in a construction accident, you may be entitled to compensation under New Mexico law. At Hunt Law, our experienced New Mexico legal team has a proven track record of securing compensation for personal injury victims throughout New Mexico. Contact our law firm today to schedule your consultation and learn how we can advocate for your rights.
Construction Equipment Accidents
Construction job sites often require the use of heavy machinery and dangerous tools. There are dozens of different types of construction accidents that can cause serious injuries and even death. Many construction accidents happen due to equipment failure or negligent equipment operators. Every year, we see news articles about crane accidents. When cranes, hoists, heavy machinery, forklifts, or elevators fail, the results can be deadly. In some cases, the machines themselves are defective, or maintenance crews have negligently maintained them. In other cases, construction workers who are not appropriately trained to misuse the equipment and cause an accident.
Accidents Related to the Construction Job Site
Property owners and construction companies have a legal duty to ensure that construction job sites are reasonably safe for workers. There is an inherent risk that comes with working with heavy machinery. However, management should ensure that there are safety precautions taken at the job site. Slip and fall accidents are a common type of construction accident. Employers should ensure that construction workers clean up any debris or broken items on the floor that could cause people to slip and fall.
When the job site involves faulty or unsteady floors, construction companies must use safe scaffolds and require employees to use harnesses. In a recent construction accident, a longtime construction worker fell through a deep drainage hole on a construction site. The hole lacked adequate signage, and the construction worker died from his injuries. In another case, a crane operator failed to secure heavy beams. One of the beams fell on and paralyzed a teenager in New York City.
Construction Accidents Related to a Lack of Safety Equipment
Construction companies have a duty under federal and state laws to ensure that their employees wear the proper safety equipment for the job. Sadly, many construction workers suffer from vision and hearing loss because they haven’t worn proper ear and eye protection. Additionally, construction companies need to place warning signs when necessary. When a construction crew is working on a busy New Mexico highway, management should place warning signs around the job site to make drivers aware that they need to slow down to avoid a collision. Managers should also ensure that their employees wear reflective vests to make them more visible to oncoming traffic.
Construction Accidents Caused by Falling Objects
Falling objects are a serious safety risk on construction sites. A falling object can cause significant injuries, even if it is a small item, like a piece of wood. The higher the item falls, the more likely it is to cause serious injuries, and when the object has sharp edges, it could create a severe puncture wound.
New Mexico construction companies have a legal duty to keep their job sites safe and prevent workers and pedestrians from becoming injured by dangerous falling objects. Companies should protect their workers by maintaining tool belts and tools secure at all times, maintaining scaffolding free from debris, and securing objects to cranes in a safe way. They also have a duty to inspect their job sites for safety regularly. When they failed to do so, the victims may have a right to compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
A Construction Accident Can Cause Serious Injuries and Death
Due to the dangerous nature of construction sites, many construction accidents can result in severe personal injuries or even death. Construction workers are often required to climb to great heights, work on dangerous roadsides, and handle powerful machinery. Some of the most common injuries that occur at construction sites include:
- Electrocution
- Severe burns
- Eye injuries, including blindness and vision impairment
- Broken bones
- Ankle and knee injuries
- Back, neck, and shoulder injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, including paraplegia and quadriplegia
- Medical conditions caused by toxic chemical exposure
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries
Obtaining Compensation for a Construction Accident Injury
Construction workers who become injured on the job site likely qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. Nearly all New Mexico employers must purchase Workers’ Compensation Insurance for their employees. These workers’ compensation policies provide benefits for employees who become injured for any reason while at work. Workers’ compensation benefits cover injuries even when your employer’s negligence wasn’t the cause of your injury.
As long as you are not intoxicated or violating your company’s policy when the accident occurred, you will be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits will pay for all of your medical costs and your lost wages if you have become temporarily or permanently disabled due to your injuries.
When someone other than your employer caused your construction accident, you may be able to bring a lawsuit against that person or company. For example, if a defective machine caused your injuries, you may have a right to bring a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the machine or damages. Successful personal injury plaintiffs are entitled to compensation for their medical expenses, lost time at work, and pain and suffering.
Contact Our Construction Accident Attorney Today
Contacting an experienced lawyer is extremely important after suffering injuries in a construction accident. Contact Hunt Law today to schedule your initial consultation and learn how we can advocate for you.