Construction sites are usually bustling and chaotic. There may be dangers around every corner due to the numerous contractors and other parties frequently engaged in finishing a project. It’s not just an issue for the Construction Company or subcontractors. You have the right to pursue financial compensation if you were hurt while working in construction or while visiting a site. Therefore, you need to understand the parties liable for construction site accidents.
Here are some parties that might be liable for a construction site accident.
1. Property Owner
A property owner can have liability for an accident at their site. They might be liable if they knew that the work was unsafe and they did nothing to warn employees of the danger. In New York State, the law requires the site owner to post warning signs of potentially dangerous construction hazards or hazardous work environments. These signs must be visible to all employees on the premises and give information about what is dangerous and what the employee should do to avoid harm. A lack of these signs can be considered negligence in New York since it can lead to accidents that can severely hurt you. Consult with New York construction accident attorneys to know what you can do to recover from such accidents.
2. General Contractor
If a contractor is in charge of the work, they may be liable if they fail to follow proper safety procedures. The contractor may have put in inadequate barriers or equipment to protect the employees. If an employee was injured because the contractor took shortcuts, what the contractor put in place was inadequate, or failed to protect them, then the general contractor can be held liable. In most cases, it is required that construction firms carry insurance such as Insurance for Contractors in Ontario and carry a general liability policy. The insurance company can pursue compensation for damages from the negligent party as well as cover the victim’s medical bills related to their injuries from their policy.
3. Engineers and Architects
Engineers and architects have been held liable for construction accidents in the past. If an engineer or architect designed unsafe equipment or unsafe site access while in charge of it, they can be held liable. This is because they are tasked with providing a safe working environment for their employees.
4. Equipment Manufacturers
Equipment manufacturers can also be found liable for injuries. The equipment must be properly built and function as intended, or there will be a liability for injuries. For example, if a lift malfunctions, it may cause an employee to fall and injure him or herself. Or if the scaffolding collapses, which is also the fault of the equipment manufacturer because they were in charge of transportation and designed the scaffolding to hold up a certain amount of weight.
5. Sub-Contractor
If you are injured at a job site, there is a possibility that you may have a claim against the subcontractor on account of failure to uphold safety standards at the worksite. If a subcontractor is found to have been negligent at the worksite, there can be a duty on their part to share information about the safety hazards at their worksite and instructions on how to avoid them.
Final Thoughts
There are multiple parties that can be held liable for any construction accident. An attorney could help you sort out some of the issues for your case and answer any questions about who might be liable for your injuries if you were involved in a construction accident. You may also need to know what type of insurance is or can be required on your behalf or when there is a duty to wear personal protective equipment.
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