Construction sites are some of the most dangerous workplaces in Utah. Everything can change in seconds: your health, your income, and your family’s financial stability when you fall from scaffolding, a crane malfunctions, or a trench collapses.
You have real legal options if you or a loved one was injured on a construction site. At Hernandez Injury Law, we investigate what happened, identify all potentially responsible parties, and pursue compensation available under Utah law. There are no fees unless we can recover compensation.
How can we Help?
If you sustain an injury on a construction site, the actions you take immediately can significantly impact your recovery and your claim. Here are the key points to consider:
All injuries, regardless of how minor they may appear, require prompt medical attention. There are some serious injuries that may not have any immediate indicators.
Inform your employer or the site supervisor and ensure that documentation of the injury is provided in writing.
Take pictures of all the factors involved, including conditions, equipment, hazards and injuries, when they can be seen.
Do not have damaged equipment repaired or removed until it has been examined.
Gaps in treatment can work against you in the claims process.
Insurance adjusters are likely to reach out to you soon after the accident, and your initial information can have a big impact on your claim.
You don’t work with a case manager or paralegal at Hernandez Injury Law. You will be working with an experienced personal injury lawyer, Roberto Hernandez. He remains personally involved from initial consultation to case resolution, so you always know where you stand.
Construction accident claims are complicated. They can involve several parties, conflicting insurance policies, and employers who are quick to safeguard themselves. We understand how insurance companies evaluate and defend construction injury claims and are prepared to advocate for you if a fair settlement is not offered.
We handle every stage of the claim, from investigation through settlement negotiations and litigation when necessary, so you can focus on your recovery.
If you have been injured on a construction site, there are several important things you should know. These include:
In a typical situation, several entities operate concurrently on a jobsite, including general contractors, subcontractors, equipment vendors, property owners, maintenance crews, and more. More than one of these parties may be liable in the event of an accident. Potentially liable parties in a Utah construction injury claim can include:
Many injured construction workers believe that filing a workers’ compensation claim is their only option. While workers’ compensation will cover benefits whether the employee is at fault or not, it will not cover pain and suffering and may not fully account for the loss of earning capacity.
If another party contributed to the accident, you may have a third-party personal injury claim in addition to workers’ compensation benefits.
In my experience, construction projects often involve multiple companies working on the same jobsite at the same time. Determining who is responsible for a safety violation or dangerous condition often requires a detailed investigation.
It’s not always easy to know who is responsible for a hazardous condition or a safety violation. Evidence can change quickly as projects progress, equipment is repaired, and employees move to other job sites.
This is why the investigation into serious construction accidents must be conducted as soon as possible.
Many things can cause construction accidents, but they all have one thing in common: they are often preventable. Here are 5 of the most common types we see in Utah construction injury cases:
Falls from roofs, scaffolding, and ladders are among the leading causes of serious construction injuries. Missing guardrails, unsafe scaffolding, and inadequate fall protection frequently contribute to these accidents.
Tools, materials, and equipment falling from elevated work areas can cause head injuries, fractures, and other serious harm. These accidents often occur when proper safety measures are not in place.
Forklifts, cranes, and power tools can cause severe injuries when they are poorly maintained, defective, or operated by untrained workers. Liability may extend to employers, contractors, or equipment manufacturers.
Contact with live wires, exposed electrical systems, or improperly secured equipment can result in burns, nerve damage, and other serious injuries. Many incidents stem from inadequate safety procedures.
Workers can suffer catastrophic injuries when struck by moving equipment or trapped between vehicles, machinery, or structures. Poor site safety and operator error are common contributing factors.
Injuries sustained in construction accidents can be life-changing. They affect not only your physical well-being but also your working capacity, connections with family and friends, and financial security.
can result from falls, falling objects, or equipment impacts. TBIs range from concussions to severe brain damage. Even minor cases can result in lasting cognitive issues, mood swings and problems functioning in challenging situations.
are among the most serious consequences of construction accidents. They may lead to partial or total paralysis depending on the location and the severity of the paralysis. There are significant expenses for lifelong medical care, adaptive equipment and adapted living space.
can be easier to deal with, but if it is a complicated break, particularly in the hands, back or legs, it could take months of recovery before a worker can resume physical work, and it may be impossible.
are caused when a worker is trapped between heavy equipment or collapsing structures. Damage to the internal organs, nerve damage, and even loss of limbs can be caused. If you recover, it is for a long time and is very painful.
caused by electrical accidents or fires can result in numerous surgeries and scarring. Severe burns are also a serious risk of infection and frequently result in longer periods of lost work.
whether they occur at the scene of the accident or become necessary during surgery afterward, can be permanently disabling.
Construction sites change quickly after an accident. Equipment is repaired or taken out of service. Scaffolding comes down. The witnesses proceed to the next project. If no one is taking action to preserve surveillance footage, it will be overwritten within days or weeks.
There are legal deadlines, too. Utah has a four-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, but there are shorter internal deadlines in workers’ comp. If you miss those windows, you may lose the right to pursue compensation, even if you have a valid claim.
The key to preserving evidence and options is to talk to a Utah construction injury lawyer as soon as possible.
When construction injuries have taken a toll on your body, you’ll find that they’ve taken a toll on your financial situation, career, and life.
include actual financial losses, such as:
can include:
These damages often represent a large portion of serious injury claims.
In cases involving extreme negligence (such as DUI), additional damages may apply to punish the at-fault driver and discourage similar behavior.
Here’s how working with Hernandez Injury Law looks like:
We discuss the facts, respond to your questions, and advise you on your choices without any obligation to move forward.
We promptly investigate and document the scene, collect records and determine all parties who might be liable.
Accident reports, equipment inspection records, safety violations, medical records, and witness statements.
We communicate with insurance companies and ensure you receive a fair settlement based on the value of your claim.
If an insurer is not willing to pay the amount that it is obligated to pay, we are willing to take your case to court.
We represent injured construction workers throughout the Salt Lake Valley and Northern Utah. Whether you were injured on a residential project, commercial job site, or highway construction project, we’re here to help.
We serve clients in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Sandy, Midvale, West Jordan, Taylorsville, Cottonwood Heights, Holladay, East Millcreek, and communities throughout Northern Utah. If you are unsure whether your location falls within our service area, contact us, and we can discuss your situation.
No matter how far you are from legal services, you should never miss getting legal help after a serious injury.
Not always. If a third party, such as a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner, was involved in the accident, you may have a personal injury claim in addition to your workers’ comp claim. These claims can proceed together and may increase the compensation available to you.
Yes. When a party other than your direct employer contributed to the accident, you may have grounds for a third-party personal injury claim.
The manufacturer or distributor may be liable under product liability law. These cases require a careful review of the equipment and its maintenance history.
Nothing upfront. Hernandez Injury Law works on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. There are no hourly charges and no out-of-pocket costs to get started.
Personal injury claims in Utah generally have a four-year statute of limitations. Workers’ compensation claims have their own shorter deadlines, so it’s best to act quickly.
We serve construction injury victims throughout the Salt Lake Valley, including Salt Lake City, Ogden, Sandy, West Jordan, Midvale, Taylorsville, Cottonwood Heights, Holladay, and East Millcreek.
A construction injury affects every part of your life. You deserve to know what your options are and an attorney who will take your case seriously.
At Hernandez Injury Law, I handle these cases personally. I’ll listen to what happened, explain your rights, and tell you honestly what I think your claim is worth. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover compensation.
