Construction Worker Injury Attorneys Serving All of Colorado
At Burg Simpson, our Denver construction worker injury lawyers help people from all trades seek the fair and full compensation they are entitled to following an on-the-job injury. If you have been injured on a construction site, you do not have to navigate the workers’ compensation or legal landscape alone. Working with our experienced construction injury attorneys is a reliable way to ensure your rights are protected, your needs are met, and the correct type of action is taken for your claim.
Fatal and Serious Injury on Construction Sites in Colorado
Construction sites are among the most hazardous work environments in the United States. Consistently falling within the top five most dangerous professions, thousands of workers are killed while working in the building trades every year. However, death is not the only risk faced by construction workers.
Nonfatal injuries are extremely common in the construction sector, affecting hundreds of thousands of workers every year. Tragically, these injuries not only impact the health and well-being of those who are injured but also pose severe financial challenges for workers and their families, particularly when they result in an inability to continue working—even for a short period.
As a construction worker in Colorado, when you are injured in a job-related accident, you do not need to prove that anyone was at fault for your injury. However, depending on the circumstances of your accident, it may be in your best interests to do so. This is one of the many aspects of your claim that the Denver construction worker injury attorneys at Burg Simpson can help you understand. We are here to provide straightforward advice on the claims process, your options, and your rights—both under workers’ comp and personal injury law—to help you choose the best path forward.
Consult With Our Denver Construction Worker Injury Lawyers for FREE
The Denver construction worker injury attorneys at Burg Simpson are here to assess your claim free of both cost and obligation. Call us today at 303-792-5595 to schedule your FREE and confidential consultation to learn more. We serve injured workers from all fields of construction throughout Colorado.
Top Causes of Construction Accidents
Colorado—with its varied landscape and weather conditions—presents unique hazards to those working in the field of construction. Risks faced by construction workers throughout the nation, including falls, being struck by objects, electrocutions, and machinery-related incidents, can be exacerbated by high altitudes and unexpected weather changes, increasing the chances of serious or fatal injury for workers in our state. This makes a thorough investigation into the causes of construction accidents all the more important.
Burg Simpson has extensive experience investigating the cause of construction injuries in Colorado, including accidents involving:
- Defective Ladders and Scaffolds
- Heavy Machinery Accidents
- Construction Vehicle Accidents
- Electrical Burns
- Repetitive Strain and Pressure Injuries
Our Denver construction worker injury lawyers have decades of experience uncovering the root cause of workplace accidents. We are committed to advocating for fair compensation for our clients and improved safety standards across the industry. Reach out today and schedule your FREE case review to learn more.
A Closer Look at OSHA’s Fatal Four
The Fatal Four, also known as the Focus Four, are responsible for more than half of the fatalities at construction sites in Colorado. These are:
- Falls: Falls occur from elevated areas such as roofs, scaffolding, and ladders. These incidents often result from inadequate fall protection, which is notably the most frequently cited OSHA violation in the construction sector. The risk of falls is made worse by factors like unsecured safety nets, poorly constructed scaffolding, and lack of personal fall arrest systems.
- Struck by Objects: This category includes accidents where workers are hit by moving objects, such as vehicles, falling tools, or dislodged materials. These incidents account for a significant percentage of worksite deaths. The danger increases in areas with active machinery and unsecured loads, emphasizing the need for stringent site management and protective gear.
- Electrocutions: Electrocution risks are alarmingly high in construction, with a notable percentage of workers dying each year from electrical incidents. Contact with power lines, misuse of equipment, and exposure to live wires—often due to inadequate lockout/tagout procedures—are common causes.
- Caught-In/Between Objects: Getting trapped or crushed by equipment, collapsing structures, or materials is a significant hazard. These accidents can occur in trenches, during equipment operation, or as a result of structural collapses. Ensuring proper trench supports, machinery maintenance, and demolition protocols are essential to prevent these deadly accidents.
While these four types of accidents are the most deadly on construction sites, they are far from the only types of accidents that can result in serious or fatal harm. Having a construction worker injury attorney who understands all the risks faced by people in the building trades helps to ensure no contributing factors are overlooked. This is an essential aspect of determining liability, a key factor in whether your case is pursued as a workers’ comp claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
The Role of Liability in Colorado Construction Accidents
In Colorado, establishing liability in construction accidents involves navigating a maze of state-specific laws and regulations. The process can be made even more complex as multiple parties—each with varying degrees of responsibility—may play a role in construction site accidents. These include:
- Property Owners
- General and Subcontractors
- Equipment Manufacturers
- Government Bodies
- Design Professionals
Because liability is often shared among different parties, it is essential to examine site safety protocols, equipment maintenance records, employee training programs, compliance with safety standards, and other potentially contributing factors. Our Denver construction worker injury lawyers work to dissect complex scenarios, identify all liable parties, and pursue the appropriate legal avenues for compensation.
Workers’ Compensation vs. a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Choosing between a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury lawsuit is reliant on the specifics of the case. This is where an experienced lawyer becomes invaluable.
Not every claim qualifies for or necessitates legal action. However, those that do should not be approached alone. Moreover, even the seemingly simple process of applying for workers’ compensation can be fraught with difficulties, making it important to discuss your claim with experienced legal counsel before seeking compensation no matter which course your claim may take.
Workers’ Compensation in Colorado
In Colorado, workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. This means it is designed to provide benefits to employees who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses regardless of who is at fault. Filing a workers’ compensation claim does not require establishing liability. It does, however, require that injured workers are employees. Many construction jobs are subbed out to independent contractors who do not qualify for workers’ comp. Fortunately, Colorado has a very specific definition of what does and does not constitute an independent contractor.
Workers’ comp covers all necessary medical expenses, including travel to appointments, until an injured worker has achieved “maximum medical improvement.” It also provides cash reimbursement for a portion of lost wages, which may include:
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD): If an injured worker is entirely unable to work for a period, they may receive TTD benefits to partially replace lost wages.
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): When an injured worker can perform limited or part-time duties at a lower wage, TPD benefits may supplement their income.
- Permanent Total Disability (PTD): For workers who suffer injuries leaving them permanently unable to perform any work, PTD benefits provide long-term financial support.
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): This compensates workers for permanent injuries that partially limit their ability to work.
- Death Benefits: These are provided to the dependents of a worker who dies from a job-related injury or illness.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
A personal injury lawsuit may arise when it can be clearly established that someone besides the injured worker was responsible for the accident. Unlike workers’ compensation, personal injury lawsuits allow injured workers to sue for damages beyond wages and medical expenses, often resulting in substantially more compensation than would be possible through a workers’ comp claim.
Potential damages that can be sought through legal action include:
- Economic damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and other financial impacts of the injury.
- Noneconomic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and similarly intangible impacts of the injury.
At Burg Simpson, we handle personal injury claims on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay for our services after a verdict or settlement has been made in your favor. Your initial consultation is FREE as well, enabling you to explore the options available without fear of incurring expenses.
Our Denver Construction Worker Injury Attorneys Are Here to Help
At Burg Simpson, our construction worker injury lawyers take time to carefully investigate construction accidents. We work to identify all liable parties and underlying causes, enabling us to guide our clients toward the most effective course of action.
If you have been injured on the job, our lawyers will work to help you:
- Receive fair compensation for your injuries
- Have access to quality medical care
- Understand your legal rights within Colorado workers’ compensation laws
- Get reimbursement for legitimate expenses you have incurred during your injury
- Apply for additional Social Security benefits
- Explore the potential for personal injury lawsuits
Compassionate, award-winning, and proven both in and out of the courtroom, the attorneys at Burg Simpson are here to listen to your experiences, examine the full extent of your injuries, and assist in seeking the compensation you are entitled to through the most appropriate channel. We have been working on these types of complex cases for more than 45 years, giving us a comprehensive knowledge of the ins and outs of Colorado’s workers’ compensation and personal injury laws.
Contact Us Today for a FREE Consultation
To schedule your FREE consultation with one of the Denver construction worker injury attorneys at Burg Simpson, contact us online or call 303-792-5595 today. Our firm represents injured construction workers from the rapidly growing communities in Northern Colorado, the Front Range, the Western Slope, and throughout the state.
