Lafayette Construction Accident Lawyer

Lafayette Construction Accident Attorney

Construction sites can be dangerous places. That’s why there are so many safety regulations. If these regulations aren’t taken seriously, people can get hurt. When injuries do happen, the victims have the right to certain kinds of compensation. To learn more about what strategy might work well for your situation, work with a Lafayette construction accident lawyer.

Strength Both in and Out of the Courtroom

Lafayette’s strong unemployment rate of 3.8% in January 2025 means that many individuals have a desire to work and contribute to the local economy. At Sanchez Burke, we always put the people we help at the forefront of our work.

We’ve worked with many people who have been injury victims and understand the tough spot they’re in. We have over 60 years of experience helping clients settle negotiations or work through a trial. Our personal injury clients trust us to put their interests first.

Common Causes of Construction Accidents

There are several hazards present at construction sites. If they’re not taken seriously, they can lead to intense injuries. There are lots of ways people can get injured, but some of the most frequent forms of injuries include:

• Falling from heights. There are lots of tasks that have to be done on a building before the stairs are officially constructed. This leads to temporary solutions like scaffolding and ladders. They usually require safety measures like guardrails or harnesses, but if those aren’t used, the injuries from falling off an elevated surface can be severe.
• Struck by objects. Hard hats are used on a site for a reason. Someone working on a structure with a hammer that drops can hit a person working below it. Forklifts that run into others can cause even greater damage. Hard hats are still necessary, but they might not prevent all injuries after getting struck.
• Electrocutions. While working on wiring for a building, there are often a lot of exposed wires and power lines. If someone runs into or contacts one of these lines, it can lead to severe burns or even nerve damage. Not every construction worker is exposed to these electric components, but those who do work with these components are at great risk.
• Pinned against objects. Machinery takes a lot of guidance to operate correctly. These machines can crush or pin people. They can also pull people into the machine, which can lead to serious injuries or even death. Once the accident is noticed, workers have to act quickly to prevent the victim from suffocating.
• Equipment failure. Regardless of how safe a site is, it is always possible for equipment to fail in a way that injures workers. The odds of this can be increased if safety inspections are not regularly conducted. If this was the cause of a worker’s injuries, it might be possible to file a personal injury claim against the manufacturer or a third-party vendor.

As of February 2025, there are over 10,000 individuals employed in the construction industry in Lafayette. This means that many people are at risk of getting injured every year due to construction-related accidents.

Who Can File a Claim?

Construction workers who are hurt at the site of a construction project can sometimes recover financially. If the workers are official employees of a construction company, they can file a workers’ compensation claim. This can cover some medical expenses and lost wages, even if the worker partially contributed to the accident.

Workers’ compensation is not meant to fully cover wages or compensate the employee for pain and suffering. It generally covers the majority of lost wages, which in Lafayette is around $39,861 on average.

Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation is only available for employees, which means that independent contractors are not eligible. It might still be possible to file a claim against another party separate from the employer, like the owner of the property or other contractors, if they helped create dangerous conditions. They might also be able to challenge their contractor status. If they are an employee, they might be able to receive benefits.

In some cases, workers die due to construction zone accidents. These might lead to wrongful death claims that can be filed by the family members of the victim. Unlike a workers’ comp claim, the funds from a wrongful death claim are meant to cover the final medical expenses and burial costs associated with the death.

FAQs About Lafayette, LA Construction Accident Laws

How Does Workers’ Comp Affect a Construction Accident Claim?

Workers’ comp affects a construction accident claim because it helps most construction workers after an accident by providing them with compensation. Even if you cannot prove fault, you can still receive money for injuries and missing work. However, this income is not meant to cover the pain and suffering you experienced due to the accident. This might be fulfilled through a personal injury claim.

What Is an Example of a Construction Accident?

An example of a construction accident includes lots of different types of injuries. One of the most common involves scaffolding or falling from a high place, which leads to lots of injuries. If the scaffolding isn’t set up properly, the fall can lead to bone breaks or even spine damage. Other common accidents include getting hit by debris or getting an electrical shock while working on wiring.

What Are the Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filing a Construction Accident Case?

The common mistakes to avoid when filing a construction accident case include failing to report the injury immediately. If you take too long to do this, an insurance company can claim that you didn’t get injured while at work. At the same time, filing a claim without evidence can also weaken the claim. It’s recommended to ask an attorney before accepting a settlement for a construction accident to verify that it’s worth it.

Can Independent Contractors Still Receive Compensation After a Construction Accident?

Independent contractors cannot receive workers’ compensation after a construction accident. However, there might be other options available to them depending on the context of the accident. If the accident was caused by a third party, making working conditions unsafe for the contractor, they might be able to file a personal injury claim against them. Sometimes, employers misclassify workers as contractors to remove their eligibility for benefits.

Positively Affect Your Case

It can be tempting to wait for issues to be resolved after an accident, but this does nothing but put your claim in jeopardy. Insurance companies and employers rely on workers not knowing their rights and delaying filing claims to avoid paying them. Many people have more options than they realize. Schedule a consultation with Sanchez Burke if you’re considering filing a claim against a third party.