Construction is booming in Las Vegas. Hotel and casino renovations are ever-present. Residential home building is on the rise as more people move to town. But with the rise in construction comes a rise in injuries that can turn your life upside down in an instant—and send you looking for a good construction site accident lawyer in Las Vegas.
You might be dealing with severe pain, mounting medical bills, and lost wages. If you’re a visitor, you may feel overwhelmed trying to navigate unfamiliar legal waters, especially if you live out of town or even out of the country. As a worker, you could run into red tape with your employer, workers’ compensation, or other insurance providers. You need a Las Vegas construction accident lawyer to help you get the compensation you deserve.
When to Hire a Las Vegas Construction Zone Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been hurt in a construction accident, you might be wondering if you have a case or if you even need a lawyer. It’s normal to feel unsure, but here’s the bottom line: if you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, not your own fault, you should talk to a Las Vegas construction accident law firm.
A lawyer can help you understand your rights, deal with insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you deserve. At Blackburn Wirth, we offer free consultations, so there’s nothing holding you back. Our injury attorneys can look at what happened and let you know if you have a good claim. Don’t try to handle this alone—let us put our expertise to work for you.
Common Types of Construction Site Accidents
Construction sites are full of potential hazards. Our experienced Las Vegas construction zone accident attorneys most often see the following injuries.
Falls from Heights
Falls are one of the most frequent and dangerous construction zone accidents. Construction workers can fall from scaffolding, ladders, roofs, or unprotected edges. These falls often lead to serious injuries like broken bones, spinal cord damage, or traumatic brain injuries. Even with safety equipment, falls can still happen due to faulty gear or improper setup. The risk is especially great in Las Vegas, where high-rise projects are common.
Falling Objects
Falling objects are always a risk at construction sites, and it’s a danger that also extends to passersby. Tools, building materials, or debris can fall from heights, causing serious injuries to anyone below. Hard hats offer some protection for workers, but tourists walking near construction zones are still vulnerable.
In a bustling city like Las Vegas, where construction often takes place near busy pedestrian areas, the risk of being hit by falling objects is a real concern. Injuries from falling objects can range from minor cuts and bruises to severe head trauma with permanent disability or even wrongful death.
Equipment-Related Injuries
Heavy machinery and power tools are essential on construction sites, but they can also be dangerous. Workers might get injured by forklifts, cranes, or excavators. Malfunctioning tools can cause cuts, burns, or crushing injuries. Sometimes, accidents happen due to lack of training, poor maintenance, or defective equipment that falls under product liability law.
In busy construction zones like those in Las Vegas, the risk of equipment-related injuries can increase due to tight schedules and crowded work areas. Unfortunately, employers sometimes put their employees at risk to make a deadline. Your Las Vegas construction accident lawyer will fight for you in these compensation claim cases.
Collapsing Structures
It isn’t just equipment that can malfunction. Partially built structures, scaffolding, or trenches can collapse, causing severe crush injuries, suffocation, or even death. In Las Vegas’s desert climate, unstable soil conditions can also increase the risk of trench collapses. Shoring and safety protocols help prevent these dangerous conditions, and your Las Vegas construction site accident attorney will investigate whether the construction company followed proper procedure.
Electric Shocks
With exposed wiring and high-voltage equipment, electrocution is a real risk on construction sites. Workers can suffer severe burns, nerve damage, or even fatal injuries from electric shocks. These accidents often occur due to lack of proper safety procedures or faulty electrical systems. Plus, the intense Las Vegas heat increases sweating, which can mean workers are more easily shocked because sweat conducts electricity.
Hazardous Material Exposure
Construction workers may be exposed to toxic substances that can cause injury over time, like asbestos, lead, or harmful chemicals. This exposure can lead to serious long-term health issues, including respiratory problems and cancer. In older Las Vegas buildings that are being renovated, the risk of exposure to materials like asbestos and mold can be especially high.
Sometimes, the effects of your exposure won’t show up until years later. An experienced Las Vegas construction accident lawyer will be able to help you trace the source of your exposure and file a claim that complies with the statute of limitations in your case.
Who Is Liable for Injuries That Happen on Construction Sites?
In Nevada, construction accidents usually fall under premises liability laws, which require property owners to fix hazards promptly and warn visitors and employees about potential dangers.
However, multiple parties could also be responsible for a construction accident. The general contractor, subcontractors, or property owner might be liable if they failed to maintain a safe site. If faulty equipment caused your injury, the manufacturer could be responsible. In some cases, another third party like architects or engineers might be liable if a design flaw led to an accident. Determining who is responsible for your injury can be complex, which is why you need an experienced Las Vegas construction accident attorney on your side.
In addition to understanding liability, it’s important to know about Nevada’s comparative fault law. Under this law, your compensation can be reduced based on your percentage of fault in the accident. For example, if you’re found to be 30% at fault for your injury, your compensation would be reduced by 30%. If you’re found to be more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover any damages. A skilled personal injury attorney who can argue effectively about fault and liability can make a big difference in your case.
Important Steps to Take After a Construction Zone Accident
If you’ve been injured in a construction accident, take these steps to protect both your health and your legal rights:
- Get medical help right away, even if you think your injuries are minor. You might not notice some injuries right away, like internal bleeding or concussions. Medical attention also creates an official record of your injuries.
- If you’re a worker, report the accident to your supervisor or the site manager to create an official record of the incident. Be sure to get a copy of any accident reports filed.
- Document the accident scene with photos or videos. Capture any hazardous conditions, faulty equipment, or lack of safety measures. This evidence can help build your case.
- Get contact information from any witnesses. Their statements can support your account of what happened and help establish liability.
- Keep all medical records and receipts related to your injury, including hospital bills, medication costs, and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury, like if you needed to take rideshares to your appointments.
- Don’t give any statements to insurance companies. Insurance adjusters may try to get you to say something that could hurt your compensation claim.
- Contact an experienced construction accident attorney in Las Vegas as soon as possible. An injury lawyer can protect your rights, handle communications with insurance companies, and start building your case right away.
Get the Compensation You Deserve with Blackburn Wirth Injury Team
An experienced construction site accident attorney in Las Vegas can make a big difference in your case. At Blackburn Wirth, we know how to navigate Nevada’s complex liability laws and gather evidence, like safety reports and witness statements. We’ll make sure to file your claim within the state’s two-year time limit, and we can negotiate with insurance companies—or even take them to court—to get you fair compensation.
When you hire one of our expert Las Vegas construction accident lawyers, you can expect personal attention and clear communication throughout your case. We’ll handle all the legal work, so you can focus on your recovery. Plus, we work on a contingency basis, so you don’t pay us unless we win your case.
Ready to learn more about your legal options? Call Blackburn Wirth today at 702-472-7000 or contact us online for a free case evaluation. Let’s talk about your accident and how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
FAQs for Las Vegas Construction Accident Attorneys
Can I receive compensation if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Yes, you can still receive compensation even if you were partly at fault. Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you can recover damages as long as you’re less than 50% responsible. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found 15% at fault, you’d get 85% of the total damages awarded.
How long do I have to file a construction accident claim?
In Nevada, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of your injury. If your injury isn’t immediately apparent, for example in cases of exposure to hazardous chemicals or particles, you may have two years from when you discover your injury. Your Las Vegas construction accident lawyer can help you determine when you need to file. However, it’s always best not to wait. If you miss the deadline, you might lose your right to compensation.
How much does it cost to hire a Las Vegas construction site accident lawyer?
Like many construction site accident lawyers in Las Vegas, Blackburn Wirth offers free consultation and works on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay us anything upfront. We’ll agree on a percentage of your settlement or court award ahead of time, and we only get paid if we win your case. This means anyone can afford quality legal representation.
Are injuries from construction accidents covered by Nevada’s workers’ compensation law?
Yes, if you’re an employee injured on a construction job, your medical expenses are typically covered by workers’ compensation. Workers’ comp is a type of insurance that provides medical benefits and wage replacement, regardless of who was at fault. However, workers’ comp benefits are often limited, and you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit in addition to your workers’ comp claim. An experienced Las Vegas construction accident attorney can help you understand all your options for compensation.
