Hammond Construction Accident Lawyer

Anyone who visits downtown Hammond will find a city under construction. As part of its master plan to expand its population and attract business, Hammond is building two new train stations along the South Shore Line, with many other multi-million-dollar projects also underway to revitalize the city’s infrastructure.

As important as construction workers are to Hammond’s future, the fact remains that they have some of the most dangerous working conditions of any profession. The construction industry has the highest rate of fatal injuries in the private employment sector. The Indiana Department of Labor reports that 31 construction workers were killed on job sites in the state in 2020 alone, representing nearly one-fifth of all Indiana workplace deaths that year. Even non-fatal construction accidents can seriously impact the lives of building tradespeople, accounting for 8.5 percent of the total days of lost work nationwide.

If you have suffered a construction-related injury in the Hammond area, reach out to the dedicated Hammond construction accident attorneys at Hensley Legal Group, where we have been fighting for injured Hoosiers for more than 25 years. The hardworking men and women of the construction industry have given so much to Indiana, and we vow to give back to them whenever disaster strikes.

Schedule a free consultation with a Hammond construction accident lawyer today by calling (317) 472-3333, chatting with us online, or completing the form below.

What Causes Construction Accidents?

Accidents on construction sites can happen for many reasons, though the top four causes of deadly construction accidents are:

Falls – Over one-third of construction fatalities involve falling from heights.
Getting Struck by an Object – A sudden blow is a factor in about 11.1 percent of construction deaths.
Electrocutions – Victims die from electric shock in 8.5 percent of fatal incidents on average.
Being Caught In or Between – Approximately 5.5 percent of construction workers killed are trapped in crush accidents.

More than half of construction-related deaths fit into one of these categories. Other Indiana construction accidents may be caused by:

Equipment failure
Forklift, crane, and vehicle accidents
Trench cave-ins
Scaffold and building collapses
Chemical exposure
Explosions

While accidental injuries can occur anywhere, certain construction site defects can make them more likely, such as:

Inadequate protection from falling objects
Lax shielding of power sources
Minimal fall prevention safeguards
Open trenches
Trip hazards
Poorly maintained or defective tools and equipment

Unsafe conditions like these could indicate negligence, which is a core component of any viable construction accident claim.

Who Gets Hurt in Construction Accidents?

Building trades professionals are the most frequent victims of construction accidents, though outside parties may also suffer construction-related injuries. Improper work and equipment malfunctions can damage neighboring structures, start fires, and adversely impact residents of the surrounding area. Additionally, objects and debris falling from high-rise buildings or passing construction vehicles could harm innocent bystanders.

Our Hammond construction accident attorneys are always available to analyze the facts leading up to your injuries and discuss your options under Indiana law.

Who Is Responsible for a Construction Accident?

Large construction projects require the labor of many workers performing different tasks simultaneously. The duties of these workers may vary, but any project in Indiana has a legal responsibility to provide them with the necessary tools and equipment to avoid preventable injuries.

The Construction Safety Division of the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration mandates the inspection of job sites throughout the state to ensure regulatory compliance. To pass inspection, Indiana construction employers and contractors must:

Assess construction sites for dangers
Implement comprehensive safety plans
Provide protective equipment to prevent falls and other accidents
Educate workers on the appropriate use of tools and machinery

Failure to implement these measures can significantly increase the risk of catastrophic injury. A skilled construction accident lawyer can be essential in identifying the causes of a construction accident so that workers can recover the compensation they need.

What Should You Do After a Construction Accident?

To better protect yourself in the event of a construction accident, always remember to:

Get medical attention – Delays in treatment may hurt your chances of recovering from your injuries and put your potential civil case at risk, so get medical attention right away.
Inform your employer – Tell your employer, foreman, or supervisor about your accident as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the easier it may be for an insurance company to cast doubt on the causal relationship between the event and your injuries or even whether the event took place.
Obtain witness information – Eyewitnesses can provide independent confirmation of what happened and how, so try to identify everyone who may have been present.
Take pictures and videos – Visual evidence can be invaluable in assessing liability. Take photos or shoot videos of on-site hazards, structural damage, and any tools or vehicles involved. Sudden change is the rule on construction sites, not the exception, so it is crucial to document defective conditions before they are repaired.
Avoid speaking with the insurance company – You may be surprised how quickly insurance company representatives contact you, but you should avoid speaking with them or giving any statements about the accident. Even an innocent comment might be used against you, especially if you are not fully aware of your rights.
Consult an attorney – To learn more about these rights, consult an experienced Hammond construction accident attorney who will answer your questions, advise you of the remedies available, and let you know what to expect if you pursue a case.

What Our Construction Accident Attorneys Can Do for You

Unexpected injuries can be devastating, especially when they impact the ability of victims to earn a living. And when wrongfully injured people try to seek the compensation they need to support their loved ones, they often encounter opposition from the at-fault parties and their insurance companies. This is especially true with construction accidents, which are at heart of some of the most challenging cases in personal injury litigation.

To overcome these obstacles, you need attorneys who have comprehensive knowledge of the applicable laws and construction industry practice. You also need attorneys who will stand by you at every turn, who will treat you like a member of the family, not a dollar amount on a balance sheet. In short, you need the Hammond construction accident attorneys at Hensley Legal Group.

Since 1998, we have prided ourselves on making sure that everyday Hoosiers enjoy the same protections under the law as the most powerful and influential members of society. We won’t let the strongarm tactics of huge corporations and insurance giants stand between you and justice.

If you retain our firm, we will initiate an exhaustive investigation to uncover any violations of the law or negligent acts that may have contributed to your injuries. We will also identify and pursue everyone at fault within the time permitted by law, known as the Statute of Limitations.

This can be difficult to do in a construction accident case because of the number of parties who may be involved. In addition to the owner of the building and/or property, a construction project typically has a general contractor overseeing it, various contractors working for the general contractor, and even subcontractors assisting them, each with different legal and contractual obligations. Fortunately, our construction accident lawyers are highly experienced at determining whether a breach of these obligations caused you harm and taking appropriate action in response.

After assembling a rock-solid case against all possible defendants, we will negotiate with their insurance carriers and attorneys to secure a settlement that fully compensates you for your losses, including:

Medical bills
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Mental and emotional trauma
Punitive damages
Wrongful death accident damages

If we do not receive an offer that reflects the true value of your claim, we are more than willing to go to trial to obtain a verdict or judgment that does. While no two construction accidents are the same, we will always strive to maximize the value of your case.

You Pay Nothing If We Don’t Win

If you are worried about spending more money at a time when you can least afford it, you should know that we work on a contingency basis. You will never have to pay us anything unless our Hammond construction accident lawyers win your case for you.

Your well-being is Hensley’s top priority. Let us do the heavy lifting on your construction accident case so you can put all your effort into restoring your health.

Contact a Hammond Construction Accident Lawyer

If your life has been shattered by a construction accident in the Hammond area, Hensley Legal Group will help pick up the pieces. We are committed to defending Indiana residents who have been harmed by the negligence of others.

An accomplished personal injury lawyer is available now to provide a free case review. Just call us at (317) 472-3333, chat with us online, or complete the form below.