Construction workers face more on-the-job injury and fatality risks than workers in any other professional field. In fact, one out of every five workplace fatalities involves a construction worker. Handling dangerous chemicals and substances; using heavy and dangerous tools and machinery; and laboring one day in confined spaces deep underground and ten stories above ground the next, construction workers must work hard, learn fast and be adaptable to get the job done.

The Virginia counties of Culpeper, Loudoun, Fauquier and Madison have experienced tremendous growth in recent years, and construction workers deserve much of the credit for it. After all, lawyers, banks and businesses can put down the money and draw up the plans for new roads, homes, buildings and shopping malls, but without construction workers out there doing the hard labor every day, none of it would happen. The least these hard working men and women deserve is the security of working within the highest possible standards of safety. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen.

Today, injured construction workers need good legal representation more than ever. As contractors and large construction companies compete for a stake in the construction boom that has come to our region, they are always cost-conscious in their bids to developers.

Keeping a project under budget is often accomplished at the cost of safety to construction workers. Evidence of the lack of reasonable care for labor may come in different ways. A contractor may skimp on required safety equipment for workers – such as hard hats, goggles, gloves, respiratory equipment, harnesses or other safety equipment. The contractor might also hire less experienced, cheaper labor to do the work, or hire less workers than are required to keep the work site compliant with safety standards. Or a contractor may use older and less efficient tools and equipment that have a greater likelihood of harming construction workers.

During our 35 years of practice, the attorneys of Dulaney Lauer & Thomas have actively defended the rights of injured construction workers and their families. We’ve assisted construction workers in maximizing their workers compensation benefits, and whenever possible, pursued litigation against negligent parties whose disregard for safety contributed to our clients’ injuries. Some of our cases have included suits involving:

Multi-Employer Construction Sites: Construction sites are often occupied by workers from several different companies handling different tasks of the construction. Under these sometimes chaotic conditions, maintaining safe working conditions for the various employees at the site requires teamwork, leadership and cooperation from those in charge of the site. Miscommunication or lack of preparation can cause a construction worker (or innocent passersby) serious injury.

If you are injured on a multi-employer construction site, it is critical to determine what company was responsible for the lack of safety measures that contributed to your injury. If the negligent party worked for someone other than your employer, a good attorney can investigate the degree of negligence involved and pursue compensation for your injury. In many cases, this compensation will be substantially more than what you would receive through Virginia’s workers compensation program. And having an attorney investigate your injury never puts your right to workers compensation at risk, whether or not you decide to pursue a lawsuit.

Electrical Accidents: We’ve assisted construction workers who’ve suffered electrocution, shock and severe burns through contact with power lines; lack of ground-fault protection; missing or discontinuous path to ground; equipment not used in the manner prescribed; and improper use of extension or power cords.

Falls: We’ve helped clients who’ve suffered mild and traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and severe fractures as a result of falls. Unprotected sides, wall openings, floor holes, improper scaffold construction, unguarded protruding steel rebars, and misuse of portable ladders are the most common causes of injury-causing falls on construction sites.

"Struck By" Accidents: Bulldozers, backhoes, dump trucks, front-end loaders, cranes, hoists and other construction equipment are meant to destroy buildings, not people. But those accidentally struck by construction vehicles suffer terrible injuries. Being struck by falling debris, flying objects, or collapsing concrete and masonry walls are also serious safety concerns on construction sites.

Trenching and Excavation Accidents: In addition to injuries caused by cave-ins, asphyxiation and exposure to toxic fumes are hazards to construction workers, as are electrocution and explosions due to contact with underground, unmarked utilities.

For more information about our firm’s experience with construction accident injury cases, contact the law office of Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas today.

Have you been fired from your construction job for reporting a safety violation?

Virginia is an employment-at-will state. This means employers can fire an employee for just about any reason, or for no reason at all. One of the few exceptions to this rule occurs when a worker files a safety complaint in a workplace. On construction sites, where safety at all times is a life and death matter, it is vital that construction workers be able to report safety violations without fear of losing their jobs. Your employer cannot terminate you for this. If you’ve found yourself in this situation, contact us today.

Library for Construction Accidents & Injuries:

Construction Accident Reveals Danger to Workers
Description: The dangers for construction workers on Virginia’s roadways are numerous: speeding cars, inattentive drivers, intoxicated drivers, and of course dangers from the work itself. There could be problems with equipment like scaffolds, ladders, excavation and heavy equipment, and injuries like burns, explosions, poisoning and electrocution are not uncommon. A recent construction accident in Virginia highlights the dangers facing workers, who are often reluctant to report injuries or seek help.

Frequent Questions for Construction Accidents & Injuries:

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Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas, LLP
98 Alexandria Pike
Suite 11
Warrenton, VA 20186

Phone: 888-907-2631

DULANEY, LAUER &
THOMAS, LLP

Warrenton Office
98 Alexandria Pike
Suite 11
Warrenton, VA 20186
Toll Free: 888.907.2631
Local: 540.349.2631
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Culpeper Office
209 N. West Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
Toll Free: 800.741.1012
Local: 540.825.6046
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