Indiana Construction Slip and Fall Lawyers

Indiana owes a debt of gratitude to the construction industry for creating an infrastructure capable of sustaining over six million permanent residents.  Yet despite everything that construction workers have done for the state, they continue to toil under some of the most dangerous conditions in the private employment sector, and there may be no greater danger on any construction site than a serious slip and fall.

Falling is responsible for over a third of American construction deaths, though even the survivors of construction slip and falls could incur devastating injuries.  To make matters worse, you could face stiff resistance from insurers if you attempt to get fairly compensated for a slip and fall on an Indiana construction site, though you can tip the odds in your favor by reaching out to the Indiana construction accident lawyers at Hensley Legal Group. 

Schedule a free consultation with a knowledgeable Indiana construction slip and fall attorney by calling or texting us at (317) 472-3333, chatting with us online, or filling out our contact form today.  

Tips for Preventing Construction Slip and Falls  

Given how dire the consequences of construction slip and falls can be, it is critical to avoid them if possible, which is why the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published these tips for preventing slip and falls on construction sites:  

• Personal fall arrest equipment should be worn. 

• Floor openings should be covered and secured, with the floor opening covers labeled. 

• Ladders and scaffolds should be used in the prescribed manner. 

• Perimeter protection should be installed and kept in working order.  

While these directives were specifically tailored for the building trades, OSHA has also issued general anti-fall guidelines that might benefit any kind of worker.  The guidelines were designed to address three distinct elements that may factor into slip and fall accidents: 

• Slips, defined as “a loss of balance caused by too little friction between your feet and the surface you walk or work on”; 

• Trips, which “occur whenever your foot hits an object and you are moving with enough momentum to be thrown off balance”; and  

• Falls, which may happen when “you move too far off your center of balance.” 

To curb slips, OSHA suggests that: 

• Careful walking skills should be practiced, utilizing short steps with the feet pointed slightly outward to preserve one’s center of balance on slick surfaces.  

• Grease should not be allowed to accumulate. 

• Spills should be reported and/or cleaned up. 

• Extra caution should be exercised on smooth flooring and loose carpeting. 

To curtail trips: 

• Loads that hinder visibility should not be carried. 

• The environment should be “clean and tidy,” with supplies and materials stored appropriately. 

• Equipment should be arranged so that it does not interfere with pedestrian traffic. 

• Heavily traveled areas should be well lit, particularly at night. 

• Walkways should be properly maintained, with authorities alerted about potential hazards.  

Finally, to limit falls: 

• Stairs should be used when they are an alternative to jumping from elevated positions. 

• Loose or broken stairs and handrails should be repaired or replaced. 

• Shoes with non-slip soles should be worn. 

If the state’s construction workers can consistently observe these guidelines along with the dictates of common sense, the rate of Indiana construction slip and falls might decline considerably. 

Who Is at Fault for an Indiana Construction Slip and Fall? 

We hope that these recommendations prove useful, but sometimes an Indiana construction slip and fall is inevitable, though you might be eligible to pursue a personal injury claim when someone else is at fault. 

Nevertheless, it should be noted that it may not be immediately obvious who is at fault for an Indiana construction slip and fall because of the inherent complexities of construction work.  Even a modest construction project is an elaborate undertaking, with numerous professionals performing separate tasks simultaneously to achieve a larger goal, and it only takes one false move for disaster to strike. 

Since lives could literally be at stake, construction projects in Indiana require approval from the Construction Safety Division of the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration, an agency tasked with construction worker advocacy.  To pass inspection, construction employers must:

• Assess worksites for sources of harm. 

• Instruct workers on the correct usage of tools and machines. 

• Implement comprehensive safety protocols. 

• Distribute equipment to prohibit construction slip and falls and other accidents. 

Ignoring these obligations could be a sign of negligence, and the individuals and entities whose negligence brings about a fall might be held liable.  The defendants for an Indiana construction slip and fall case might include the: 

• Property owner 

• Project developer 

• General contractor in charge of construction 

• Contractors 

• Subcontractors 

• Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of malfunctioning equipment 

• Government agency with authority over a space under construction  

In certain instances, multiple parties could share blame for the same accident, and you could be forever barred from obtaining full compensation if you don’t go after all of them.  Fortunately, our Indiana construction slip and fall lawyers have the deep familiarity with construction laws and regulations necessary to establish a valid case against everybody who hurt you. 

What to Do After an Indiana Construction Slip and Fall  

Moreover, you may be able to strengthen that case if you remember to do the following after an Indiana construction slip and fall: 

• Report the accident – Promptly notifying your boss, foreman, or supervisor about your accident could ensure that the details will not be disputed at a later date. 

• Get treatment – Similarly, you should get treatment in a timely fashion, as delays in care could be detrimental to your health and cast doubt on the relationship between your injuries and the construction slip and fall. 

• Take pictures and shoot videos – Sudden change is not the exception on construction sites, but the rule, so take pictures and shoot videos of defects that led to your slip and fall before they can be remedied.   

• Get witness information – Write down the names and numbers of anyone present who could independently confirm what took place. 

• Stay away from insurance companies – Insurance companies with applicable coverage might try to get in touch, though you may want to stay away from them because anything you say could be used against you.  Instead… 

• Speak to an attorney – A seasoned Indiana construction slip and fall lawyer can answer your questions and explain what you can expect if you initiate a claim. 

How an Indiana Construction Slip and Fall Attorney Can Help 

Nobody is ever truly prepared for a catastrophic fall, which could soon leave you struggling just to make ends meet, much less meet the new demands on your finances. 

You attorneys with the compassion to support you during this difficult period and the wisdom to guide you through it, like the Indiana construction accident attorneys at Hensley Legal Group. 

If you hire Hensley, we will launch a thorough investigation into your construction slip and fall and everyone who might have contributed to it, then work tirelessly to amass the evidence to construct your claim. 

Upon putting together a rock-solid case, our Indiana construction slip and fall lawyers will endeavor to negotiate a settlement that reflects the totality of your losses, such as:  

• Medical expenses 

• Lost wages 

• Pain and suffering 

• Psychological trauma 

• Diminished quality of living 

• Mobility restrictions 

• Loss of consortium 

• Punitive and wrongful death damages (if relevant) 

And if we do not receive an offer that is worthy of your claim, we are more than willing to go to trial for a verdict that is, unlike many of our competitors, who rarely, if ever, venture into a courtroom. 

We imagine that you may be reluctant to agree to additional expenditures at this moment, but our firm works on a contingency basis, so you won’t have to pay us anything until our Indiana construction slip and fall attorneys win your case. 

That fall may have knocked you down for the count, but you can trust Hensley to pick you back up again. 

Turn to Our Indiana Construction Slip and Fall Lawyers 

Hensley Legal Group has been getting justice for the badly injured for more than 25 years.  If you are still reeling from effects of a major fall on a construction site, turn to our Indiana construction slip and fall lawyers to discover your legal options. 

For a no-cost case review with a dedicated Indiana construction slip and fall attorney, simply call or text us at (317) 472-3333, chat with us online, or fill out our contact form now.