Ohio Construction Accident Lawyers

Construction Accident Lawyers in Ohio

An injured construction worker lying on the concrete after a fall from a ladder, illustrating a workplace construction accident.

Every year in the U.S., around 1,000 construction workers are killed on the job, and in Ohio, as many as 29 lives are lost annually in construction-related accidents. At Attorney Michael Wright, our Ohio personal injury lawyers have seen firsthand how these incidents upend victims and their families. As one of Ohio’s leading personal injury firms, we aggressively pursue both workers’ compensation claims and third-party lawsuits for people hurt on construction sites. We always put injured workers first, fighting to secure the full compensation they need to cover medical care, rehabilitation, and lost income. If you or someone you love was seriously hurt in a construction accident, let a Dayton construction accident lawyer at Attorney Michael Wright stand up for you. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation evaluation of your Ohio construction accident case.

What to Do Immediately After a Construction Site Accident in Dayton

The steps you take after an injury on a construction site are critical for your health and for any future legal claims. Your first priorities should be:

  1. Report Your Injury: Notify your supervisor or foreman about the accident and your injury immediately, or as soon as you are physically able. Ensure an official accident report is filed.
  2. Seek Medical Attention: Do not delay medical treatment. Go to an emergency room or see a doctor right away, even if you think the injury is minor. This creates a crucial medical record.
  3. Document the Scene: If possible, have a coworker take pictures of the hazard that caused your injury, the equipment involved, and the surrounding area before anything is moved or cleaned up.
  4. Get Witness Information: Get the names and phone numbers of any coworkers or other individuals who saw the accident.
  5. Contact an Attorney: Before giving a formal recorded statement to any insurance company (even for workers’ comp), speak with a Dayton construction accident attorney to understand all of your legal rights.

The Dangers of Construction Work in Ohio

The personal injury attorneys at Attorney Michael Wright have assisted hundreds of Ohioans injured in construction site accidents in obtaining the benefits and compensation they deserve. Below are a few statistics related to construction accidents:

  • According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly 150,000 construction-site injuries occur nationwide annually.
  • OSHA reports that 1 in 10 construction workers suffers an injury annually.
  • Falls account for most of these accidents, while heavy equipment contact is another leading cause.
  • Common serious injuries include neck, head, and spinal cord trauma, burns, amputations, and tragically, fatalities.

Securing compensation through an Ohio construction accident claim can help you move forward with medical treatment, long-term care, and lost wages. Recovery in these accidents can take months or even years. 

Types of Construction Accident Cases We Handle in Dayton

Our personal injury attorneys in Dayton work with accident reconstruction and medical experts to identify every party responsible and calculate the full value of your claim. We have extensive experience in construction accidents such as:

  • Electrical and burn injuries
  • Equipment accidents
  • Excavation accidents and trench cave-ins
  • Falls and scaffolding accidents
  • Vehicle Accidents on Duty
  • Crane Accidents
  • Forklift Accident

Understanding Your Legal Options: Workers' Comp vs. a Third-Party Lawsuit

In Ohio, an injury on a construction site can lead to two different types of legal claims, and it is critical to understand the difference.

Ohio Workers’ Compensation Benefits

As an injured employee, your primary source of recovery is through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). These benefits are “no-fault,” meaning you do not have to prove your employer was negligent to receive them. Workers’ comp typically covers your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages. However, you generally cannot sue your direct employer for a workplace injury, and workers’ comp does not provide any compensation for your pain and suffering.

Filing a Third-Party Negligence Claim

While you can’t sue your employer, you can file a separate personal injury lawsuit against a negligent “third party” who is not your employer but contributed to your injury. This is the only way to recover full compensation for all your losses, including pain and suffering. Potential third parties include general contractors, subcontractors from other companies, property owners, or the manufacturer of defective equipment.

What Are The Most Common Construction Accidents?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the government agency tasked with ensuring safe working conditions. OSHA has identified the four most common causes of death on construction sites, which they call the “Fatal Four.” These accidents are a primary focus of safety regulations and litigation because they are so common and devastating. They include:

  • Falls, which are the leading cause of death for construction workers, typically occur from scaffolding, ladders, or roofs.
  • Struck-By Object accidents, involving falling tools, building materials, or moving heavy equipment.
  • Electrocutions, from contact with overhead power lines, exposed wires, or faulty equipment.
  • Caught-In/Between accidents, which occur when a worker is trapped, crushed, or pinned between heavy machinery, structures, or collapsing materials.

Why Should you Hire a Construction Accident Lawyer?

After a serious construction injury, you are facing a complex legal system and powerful insurance companies. Our legal team steps in immediately to level the playing field and manage every aspect of your case so you can focus on healing. We build your claim by taking decisive action:

  1. Thorough Investigation: We gather evidence, photos, OSHA logs, and eyewitness testimony to pinpoint causes and liable parties.
  2. Workers’ Comp Support: We guide you through the workers’ compensation process to secure your benefits.
  3. Third-Party Claims: When negligence extends beyond your employer, we file lawsuits against property owners, equipment manufacturers, and others.
  4. Tough Negotiation: We refuse to let insurers strong-arm you into an unfair settlement.
  5. Ready for Trial: If a fair resolution isn’t possible, we take your case to court.

Contact a Construction Accident Lawyer Today for a Free Consultation

Ohio law gives you just two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit—including claims for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Don’t wait. Call us now at (937) 222-7477, or fill out the online form for your free, no-obligation case review. At Attorney Michael Wright, you’ll get the caring, personalized representation you deserve.

Answering Your Ohio Construction Accident Questions

OSHA data identifies roofing as the highest-risk occupation on construction sites. Roofers experience the greatest rates of work-related injuries and deaths, largely because of fall hazards and, at times, insufficient safety protections.

When a motorist, due to speeding, distraction, or other negligence, strikes a road construction worker, the injured worker has the right to seek compensation. This can cover medical treatment costs, lost wages during recovery, and compensation for pain and suffering.

Generally, no. The Ohio Workers’ Compensation system is considered the “exclusive remedy” for on-the-job injuries, meaning you cannot file a personal injury lawsuit against your direct employer for negligence. Your primary claim against your employer is for workers’ comp benefits.

You can file a “third-party” lawsuit against any negligent party on the worksite who is not your direct employer or a co-worker. This can include the general contractor, a different subcontractor who created a hazard, the property owner, or the manufacturer of a defective tool or piece of machinery.

For a third-party personal injury lawsuit, Ohio’s statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury. Contact a construction accident attorney well before this deadline, as investigating a complex construction accident and identifying all liable third parties takes a significant amount of time.

Attorney Michael Wright