Construction Site Accident Attorney in Portland, Oregon 

Workplace accidents are an unfortunate occurrence. They can happen unexpectedly, leaving workers seriously injured or family members devastated by a sudden loss. In particular, the construction industry is prone to workplace accidents.  

That is why construction companies must ensure they follow the proper safety protocols. But what happens when a worker is injured? Who takes care of their medical expenses or hospital bills? At Injury Lawyer PDX, LLC, I can help you determine the answers to these questions, so reach out today for guidance. I serve those in Portland, Oregon, and neighboring areas, including Clackamas County, Washington County, Multnomah County, Marion County, Lincoln County, and Tillamook County. 

The Most Common Construction Site Accidents in Oregon 

Accidents can happen in virtually any situation. Following safety measures drastically reduces the chances of an accident. Nevertheless, accidents still happen. As a result, it is worth looking at the most common construction site accidents in Oregon, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): 

• Falls. Falls account for a fair amount of workplace accidents. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), workplace falls accounted for 36.4% of work-related injuries in 2019. These data indicate that one in three workers suffer a fall, leading to various injuries. These injuries include 401 fatalities resulting from lower-level falls. 

• Object strike. Being hit by an object remains a serious risk in the construction industry. NIOSH Data report 15.4% of accidents were related to object strikes in 2019. 

• Electrocution. Unfortunately, electrocution was responsible for 7.2% of injuries sustained. Although electrocutions are trending downward, they are still common accidents. 

• Caught-in-between. Workers getting caught in between objects represented 5.4%, according to NIOSH data.  

It is worth noting that construction site fatalities were alarmingly high for Hispanic workers during the 2011-2019 review period. 90% of construction site fatalities corresponded to Hispanic workers.  

Filing a Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Claim in Oregon 

Filing a personal injury claim for a construction accident or wrongful death at a construction site is essential if you have experienced injury or death due to an accident caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions: 

• Personal injury. Personal injury occurs when a worker suffers a construction accident requiring medical attention and treatment. Please note that traditional health insurance does not typically cover construction worker injuries. As a result, workers or their family members must file a personal injury claim through the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance coverage. 

• Wrongful death. Wrongful death occurs when a worker dies in a worksite accident. However, the fatality is considered a wrongful death due to employer negligence. This negligence suggests that the workers’ death could have been avoided if proper precautions had been taken. 

Consider these circumstances: 

• A forklift moving construction materials injures a worker waiting for the material’s delivery. The injury requires an emergency room visit and subsequent medical treatment.  

• A worker on a high-rise trips over a loose plank. The worker falls to their demise. Unfortunately, the site supervisor failed to detect the loose boards. Had the boards been nailed down properly, the accident’s likelihood would have been practically null. 

These examples highlight how negligent actions can lead to a serious or deadly construction accident. As a result, family members may file a personal injury or wrongful death to receive fair compensation. 

Steps to Take Following a Construction Accident in Oregon 

Whether it is a personal injury or wrongful death claim, workers or their family members must take the following steps: 

• Seek medical treatment immediately. Accident victims must seek medical attention right away. Injured workers must seek medical treatment even if there are no apparent signs of injury. Just because there are no outward injuries or signs does not mean there are no internal injuries. Moreover, symptoms may take days or even weeks before they manifest. Also, please note that insurance companies can use delays in seeking medical treatment as an excuse not to pay fair compensation.  

• File a personal injury claim as soon as possible. Doing so initiates the claims process even if the worker or family does not plan to settle right away. 

• Document everything in as much detail as possible. Documenting an accident is crucial. Security cam footage, witness testimony, police reports, and workplace safety inspector information can help prove negligence.  

• Consult with a personal injury attorney. Workers and family members can file a claim right away. Nevertheless, worksite accident victims should consult a professional personal injury attorney to determine an effective action. Additionally, a personal injury attorney can help victims assess the potential compensation they can receive for their claims. 

Getting Fair Compensation for a Construction Accident in Oregon 

Here is a look at the possible compensation for personal injury or wrongful death claims in Oregon: 

• Lost wages. Accident victims have the right to receive compensation for their lost wages due to time away from work. Lost wages are calculated based on the worker’s average wage over a certain period, such as months or years. In cases of permanent disability, this calculation can cover the worker’s lost wages from the accident date to the likely retirement age. 

• Medical expenses. Victims can recover medical expenses, including hospital bills, rehabilitation, and medication. 

• Emotional suffering. Emotional suffering or mental anguish is a highly subjective situation to consider. Speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney before deciding on a specific amount to seek regarding emotional suffering is recommended.  

• Punitive damage. If malice is involved (intentionally causing harm), the injured party may be eligible to receive compensation for punitive damages.  

Hiring a personal injury attorney is a major step in ensuring that injured workers and their families get fair compensation for injuries sustained. Insurance companies will do everything they can to lowball claimants or delay payment. Enlisting a personal injury attorney is necessary when a lawsuit is needed to get fair compensation.