You can file a workers' compensation claim to cover your medical expenses and lost wages after a construction collapse. Get in touch with a construction accident attorney before giving any statements to insurance companies or signing documents so they can help you :
This guide will walk you through the legal actions to take after a construction collapse, help you understand your rights to compensation, and explain how an experienced construction accident attorney can help protect your interests.
Injured in a Construction Collapse?
Your employer had a legal duty to keep you safe. If they failed, you deserve full compensation. Get a free case review today
Your actions in the hours and days following a collapse are critical for both your health and legal case. First, ensure you get thorough medical care.
Critical: Avoid discussing fault, giving recorded statements to insurance companies or sign any documents before speaking with a lawyer. These could potentially harm your case and insurance adjusters may use your words to minimize your claim.
Your lawyer becomes your advocate while you recover. Here’s how your lawyer will help your case:
Legal Protection | How It Helps You |
Case and scene investigation | Preserves crucial evidence before it disappears |
Consult with relevant experts, such as structural engineers | Engineers determine the exact collapse causes |
Identify all potentially liable parties | Ensures all responsible parties are held accountable, opening the possibility to additional compensation |
Communication with insurance companies | This prevents adjusters from minimizing your claim |
Manage legal deadlines | Ensures you don't lose your rights to compensation |
Calculate the full value of damages | Secures fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses |
Settlement negotiation | Fights for maximum payment for all damages |
Prepare for trial if necessary | Builds a strong case to present in court if a settlement isn't reached |
File necessary legal documentation | Ensures all required documents are properly completed and submitted on time |
Provide legal guidance and updates | Keeps you informed on case progress and makes complex legal processes easier to understand |
If you're a New York-based construction worker, take note of these deadlines you must meet:
Missing these deadlines can block your right to compensation.
You may qualify for several types of compensation, such as:
NOTE: You don't need to prove fault to receive these benefits.
2. Third-Party Claims
When third parties contributed to the collapse, you may claim additional compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. These may include:
NOTE: You'll need to prove negligence by the third party to receive these benefits.
Multiple parties often share responsibility, in which your lawyer will investigate each party's role in the collapse.
Common Liable Parties | Their Safety Obligations |
General Contractors | Enforce safety standards, and coordinate work safely |
Property Owners | Maintain structures, obtain proper permits |
Equipment Manufacturers | Provide safe, properly tested materials |
Engineers/Architects | Design structurally sound buildings |
Construction Managers | Follow safety protocols, respond to warnings |
The July 2024 Boise airport hangar collapse shows what happens when companies ignore safety rules. Three workers died and eight others suffered injuries because contractors failed to use proper bracing and ignored clear warning signs.
The investigation post-collapse found the company left critical connecting bolts loose and continued adding weight to an unstable structure. OSHA cited both the building contractor for willful safety violations ($198,586 in penalties) and the crane company for serious violations ($10,163 in penalties).
Need Help With Your Construction Collapse Case?
Our construction accident attorneys can help prove safety violations and secure maximum compensation.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction collapse, you need experienced legal representation to protect your rights and pursue full compensation.
At the Porter Law Group, Our construction accident attorneys understand the complex regulations governing construction safety and have successfully represented numerous work-accident victims.
Don't let evidence disappear or deadlines pass. Contact us today for a free consultation about your construction collapse case:
Our experienced construction accident lawyers will handle every aspect of your claim while you focus on recovery. We'll evaluate your situation, explain your legal options, and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
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