Reno Construction Accident Lawyers
Northern Nevada is expanding at an amazing rate with construction projects evident throughout the region, including Reno, Sparks, Carson City, and the ever-expanding Tahoe Reno Industrial Center in Storey County. Unfortunately, construction accidents are common occurrences all over the world, and Reno and the surrounding areas are no different.
If you’ve been in a construction accident in Reno or Northern Nevada, you do not have to go it alone. Benson & Bingham Accident Injury Lawyers, LLC, are passionate about helping our clients get the compensation they deserve after a construction accident, so they may recover as quickly as possible. If you need help dealing with a work injury contact our Reno construction accident lawyers for a free case evaluation.
Your Construction Accident Lawyers in Reno, Spark & Carson City
At Benson & Bingham Accident Injury Lawyers, LLC, we are here to help. We work hard on every case to ensure our clients go home satisfied with the effort and passion we deliver. If you need help dealing with a complicated case, reach out to our law firm: We will do everything we can to make sure you get the compensation you deserve and the help you need to get back on your feet.
Our firm has won large construction settlements in the last several years, starting at $550,000 in a casino construction accident. We cannot promise a result in your case, but we will fight hard to get you the most money we can. Call us now to see what we can do for you.
Construction Accidents Result in Legal Claims for Compensation
In recent years, a huge influx of people has come to live in the Reno area. This has prompted the construction of many new homes and apartment buildings to house new residents. Many of these projects are to improve streets, sewage systems, playgrounds, traffic signals, and other public works.
Whenever there is construction going on, there is large equipment, including cranes, trucks, and tools for drilling, building, etc. With so many dangerous items on-site, accidents are bound to happen. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that around 77,490 construction accidents happen in a given year.
There are many types of accidents that happen on construction sites, including:
- Slips and falls – If conditions are icy or wet or there is a lot of debris around the ground, falls are common.
- Being crushed between objects – Construction workers are often busy and distracted, and with so many pieces of equipment moving around on-site, accidentally getting crushed between objects is common.
- Machine injuries – Machines can cause scrapes, cuts, breaks, and worse when they come into contact with a human body rather than construction material.
- Falls from heights – A lot of construction work takes place above ground level and falls from a height are a common accident.
- Being hit by falling objects – Even if a worker doesn’t fall, they may walk under something that is falling from above. Any piece of equipment or debris that falls and hits a worker (or a passerby) can cause serious damage.
- Overexertion – Construction is taxing work, and sometimes lifting heavy objects or working with unmanageable machines causes muscle strains and tears. In addition, workers can suffer from heatstroke from spending too long in the sun.
- Electrocution – In any construction project, electricity is involved, leading to a high risk of a worker touching an exposed wire or another electrified object.
- Vehicle accidents – Many vehicles roam a construction site, and workers can easily be hit by one whether they are walking or driving.
- Explosions or fires – With all the exposed wires, gas tanks, and other materials on a construction site, fires and explosions are much more common than in other workplaces.
Common Injuries on Construction Sites
Some of the most common injuries resulting from the accidents above include:
- Broken bones;
- Muscle strains or tears;
- Head trauma;
- Electrocution;
- Burns; and
- Back injuries.
Some injuries are much more serious than others. No matter how you were injured in a construction accident, make sure you get the healthcare you need to recover. Many injuries that are not properly cared for right off the bat result in serious complications in the future. Ensuring your health is taken care of is the most important thing you can do after an accident.
A Typical Reno Construction Injury Claim
Construction companies must offer worker’s compensation for their employees. With worker’s compensation, you can file an insurance claim and receive money to help pay for medical expenses and a percentage of lost wages. However, workers’ compensation is often not enough if you have severe injuries after your construction accident.
In this case, you might also file a personal injury claim against someone other than your employer who was responsible for your accident. If you are an independent contractor who was working on a construction site or a bystander injured when walking or driving by a construction site, call us to determine who negligently caused the accident.
Here’s what you must establish to prove that someone caused your injuries:
- You were seriously injured on a construction site.
- The defendant knew of some danger on the property.
- The defendant failed to warn you of the danger.
- This failure led to circumstances resulting in your injury.
If you can prove these elements of negligence, you will generally have a valid claim against whomever caused your injuries.
Common responsible parties include:
- The construction company for failing to keep the workplace safe.
- The city of Reno for failing to repair unsafe conditions if it was responsible for maintenance.
- Third parties who negligently drove or operated machinery on the construction site that led to the accident.
How We Help Get Reno Construction Accident Settlements
Construction accident settlements vary based on many factors, including whether you’re filing a workers’ compensation claim or a third-party liability claim.
With a workers’ comp claim, you can usually seek damages for:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income
- Loss of earning capacity
With a third-party liability claim, you can also pursue:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
Settlements vary widely and a particular outcome is never guaranteed, so call us before making a final decision on how much to accept in your case.
Reno Construction Accident FAQs
If you were in a construction accident, you probably have questions about how these cases work. If so, you’ve come to the right place! Check out our page below for answers to our clients’ most common questions. And if you need further help, don’t hesitate to reach out to Benson & Bingham Accident Injury Lawyers, LLC for further guidance.
Q: What should I do right after a Reno construction accident?
A: After an accident, there are a few steps you need to take:
- Get medical care immediately. The most important thing is to make sure you are okay and will recover as quickly as possible.
- Take pictures. If you can, take photos of the accident scene and any relevant damage or injuries. These photos will help if you pursue a claim and help prove the extent of your damages.
- Report the accident. If you are an employee, you will have to file what is known as a C-1 claim to ensure that you get workers’ compensation. If you are not an employee, there are other forms you will have to fill out. Always keep a copy of these reports for your own use.
- Contact our Reno construction accident lawyers. Get in touch with us as soon as you can so we can help you determine the next steps to filing a claim.
Once you take these steps, you are well on your way to recovery.
Q: What if I was just a bystander when I got hurt at a construction site in Reno? Can I still file a claim?
A: If you were injured at a construction site as a bystander, you can still file a claim. In most cases, you will file a claim against the construction company, but you may also file one against the city or a specific person who caused your injury. Regardless, you have a good chance of winning a case if you can prove that the other party was negligent.
Q: What if I lost a loved one in a Reno construction accident?
A: Similar to a construction accident injury claim, Nevada law also allows survivors of the deceased to pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim.
Typically, any heirs to the estate of the deceased may bring a claim; most often, this means a surviving spouse or child of the deceased, though other family members may also qualify.
Our Reno construction accident attorneys know how to file and fight wrongful death actions, and can help you and your family understand your options in this difficult time.
Q: How do I prove someone was negligent in a Reno construction accident claim?
A: According to Nevada law, to pursue a claim for your construction site injury, you must prove:
- That the defendant (the person who caused the injury) owed you a duty of care (i.e., should have protected you from the injury you received).
- That the defendant breached that duty of care.
- That the defendant’s breach caused the accident and resulted in your injury.
Q: What if I was a subcontractor at a construction site? Can I still file a claim against the construction company?
A: It depends on the circumstances of the case. If you were injured as a direct result of someone else’s negligence or the malfunction of machinery that should have been taken care of by the company or manager, you can likely file a claim. However, these cases can be complicated. You should talk to an attorney if you are unsure about your ability to file a claim.
Q: Will I have to file a Reno workers’ compensation claim?
A: In Nevada, employers must provide workers’ compensation insurance to their employees. This insurance protects employers from most lawsuits that would require them to pay additional damages. However, depending on who was actually at fault in your case and what your employment status is, you may not have to file a workers’ compensation claim, and may instead file a personal injury claim, which generally covers more in damages. Discuss your case with a lawyer to determine what route you can go.
Q: What damages can I claim in a third-party construction accident case?
A: You can claim all the typical damages that are available in a personal injury claim.
These include:
- Medical expenses;
- Loss of income;
- Loss of earning capacity;
- Emotional distress;
- Loss of consortium (i.e., loss of or damage to an intimate relationship resulting from the accident);
- Pain and suffering;
- Scarring and disfigurement; and
- Long-term medical treatment expenses.
Q: How long will a construction accident claim take?
A: The time a construction accident takes to conclude depends on the circumstances. In many cases, construction accidents settle within a few months if your lawyer helps you negotiate a good settlement. In other cases, the claim may have to be decided in court and could take much longer.
How Our Reno Construction Accident Attorneys Can Help You
If you were injured by a construction accident in Reno or Northern Nevada, the lawyers at Benson & Bingham Accident Injury Lawyers, LLC are here to help. We have successfully negotiated millions of dollars of winnings for our clients.
We work hard to help our clients see the results they deserve. While we can’t guarantee an outcome, we promise everyone who comes to us that we will do our best to settle the case in their favor. We are determined to see justice done and help people like you get back on their feet after an accident.
Since 2003, we have fought successfully for victims of personal injury accidents. If you need help recovering from an injury that wasn’t your fault, get in touch with us today. We are ready to help, so call our Reno office now at (775) 600-6000 or send us a message to get a free case review from our team.
Benson & Bingham (Reno Office) 1320 E Plumb Lane Ste A Reno, NV 89502 Phone:775-600-6000
Free Consultation
