Construction Site Accidents – Non-employer Negligence

Non-employer negligence is somewhat similar to that of third-party negligence, but has a broader definition. In construction site accidents that involve non-employer negligence, plaintiffs can look towards co-workers, sub-contractors, property owners and/or manufacturers of defective products as potential defendants in their personal injury lawsuit. Regardless of who is at fault, the key to a successful case is proving negligence on part of the defendant.

Accidents involving non-employer negligence can also include negligence of co-workers that lead to injuries or even death. Common accidents include; negligence by untrained or unlicensed operators of heavy equipment, ignoring safety guidelines and, in more severe cases, willful negligence. In these cases a civil suit or even a wrongful death suit can be filed against the negligent co-worker.

Depending on the extent of the injuries sustained in the construction site accident, the plaintiff can narrow or widen the field of their lawsuit to obtain the largest possible settlement. Many defendants carry substantial insurance coverage, due to the dangerous nature of the construction industry and thus workers may be able to settle cases without actually going to trial. An experienced lawyer will see which party or parties are responsible for the accident and pursue these defendants appropriately.