Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in the country, and Virginia jobsites are no exception. Workers face life-altering hazards every day, from falls and heavy machinery to electrical dangers and structural collapses. When a serious injury occurs, the path forward is rarely straightforward, and workers' compensation alone often falls far short of covering the true cost of what victims endure.
At Breit Biniazan, our personal injury attorneys represent seriously injured construction workers throughout Virginia in high-value third-party and negligence cases. We go beyond workers' comp to pursue every source of accountability and compensation available under the law.
If you were hurt on a Virginia construction site, call us today at (855) 659-4457 for a free consultation.
Legal Options After a Serious Construction Site Injury
Workers' compensation covers basic medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, but it does not compensate you for pain and suffering, and it rarely reflects the full financial impact of a catastrophic injury. Fortunately, workers' comp is not always your only option.
When a party other than your direct employer contributed to your injury, you may have the right to pursue a third-party personal injury claim. These cases can result in significantly larger recoveries and are often where the most meaningful accountability happens.
How a Virginia Construction Accident Lawyer Can Help After a Jobsite Injury
Navigating a construction injury claim while recovering from a serious injury is an enormous burden. An experienced attorney handles the legal complexity so you can focus on healing.
At Breit Biniazan, we investigate the accident, identify every liable party, work with medical and economic experts to establish the full value of your losses, and fight for compensation that actually reflects what you have been through.
Review our case results to see the kinds of outcomes we have achieved for injured clients.
When a Construction Injury Lawsuit Is Possible
A construction injury lawsuit is possible when someone other than your employer bears responsibility for what happened. This includes negligent contractors, unsafe property owners, equipment manufacturers, and others whose actions or failures contributed to your injury. Virginia law allows injured workers to pursue these third-party claims alongside or in addition to a workers' compensation claim, and in serious cases the difference in recovery can be substantial.
Common Types of Construction Site Injuries
Construction sites present dangers that few other workplaces can match. The injuries that result are often severe, requiring surgeries, lengthy rehabilitation, and in many cases permanently altering a worker's ability to earn a living.
Falls From Heights and Scaffold Accidents
Falls are the leading cause of construction fatalities in the United States. Inadequate guardrails, unsecured scaffolding, missing fall protection equipment, and poorly maintained ladders all contribute to falls that cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and death. These accidents frequently involve third-party negligence that opens the door to a lawsuit beyond workers' comp.
Heavy Equipment and Machinery Injuries
Cranes, forklifts, excavators, and power tools cause devastating injuries when they malfunction or are operated carelessly. Workers who are struck by equipment, caught in machinery, or injured by defective tools may have claims against equipment manufacturers, equipment rental companies, or negligent co-workers employed by a different contractor on the same site.
Electrocutions and Unsafe Worksite Conditions
Electrocution is one of the construction industry's "Fatal Four" leading causes of worker death. Exposed wiring, unguarded power lines, and failure to follow proper lockout/tagout procedures put workers at serious risk. When unsafe site conditions contribute to an electrocution or other injury, property owners, general contractors, and safety compliance failures all become part of the liability analysis.
Who Is Liable for an Injury on a Construction Site in Virginia?
One of the most important questions in any construction injury case is who bears legal responsibility. There can be many potential parties that may be responsible, and the answer is often more complicated
General Contractors and Subcontractors
General contractors have a broad duty to maintain safe conditions across the entire jobsite. When they fail to enforce safety protocols, permit dangerous conditions, or inadequately supervise subcontractors, they can be held liable for injuries that result. Subcontractors who create hazardous conditions that injure workers from other trades are also frequently named in third-party claims.
Property Owners and Developers
Property owners and developers who retain control over a construction site or who knew of dangerous conditions and failed to address them can face significant liability. Virginia law recognizes that owners who invite workers onto their property have real obligations to those workers' safety.
Manufacturers of Defective Equipment
When a tool, piece of machinery, or safety device fails due to a design or manufacturing defect, the manufacturer may be liable under product liability law regardless of how carefully the equipment was used. These cases can run parallel to other claims and substantially increase the total recovery available to an injured worker.
What to Do After a Construction Site Injury
Seek Immediate Medical Treatment
Your health is the priority. Get emergency care immediately, follow up with all recommended treatment, and keep thorough records of every medical encounter. Prompt treatment also creates documentation that directly links your injuries to the accident, which is critical to your claim.
Document the Construction Site Injury
If you are physically able, photograph the scene, the hazard that caused your injury, any defective equipment, and your visible injuries. Note the names of witnesses and anyone else present at the time of the accident.
Report the Incident and Preserve Evidence
Report your injury to your employer and ensure an incident report is filed. Notify OSHA if appropriate. Take steps to preserve any physical evidence, and do not allow equipment involved in the accident to be repaired or removed before it can be inspected.
Speak With a Construction Injury Lawyer Before Accepting a Settlement
Insurance companies and large contractors move quickly after serious jobsite injuries, often presenting settlement offers before the full extent of your injuries is known. Accepting a premature settlement can permanently waive your right to additional compensation. Speak with one of our attorneys today at (855) 659-4457 for a free consultation.
Compensation Available in Construction Injury Claims
Medical Expenses and Future Treatment
A serious construction injury often means surgeries, hospitalization, physical therapy, and ongoing care that extends years into the future. Compensation can cover all past and anticipated future medical costs related to your injury.
Lost Income and Reduced Earning Capacity
If your injury has kept you out of work or permanently limited what you can do, your claim can include both current lost wages and the long-term reduction in your ability to earn. In catastrophic injury cases, this figure alone can be substantial.
Pain and Suffering Damages
Unlike workers' compensation, a personal injury or third-party claim allows recovery for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These damages often represent a significant portion of a construction injury settlement or verdict.
Wrongful Death Damages in Fatal Construction Accidents
When a construction accident results in a fatality, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim. Recoverable damages include funeral and burial costs, lost financial support, loss of companionship, and the pain and suffering endured by the deceased prior to death.
Speak With a Virginia Construction Accident Lawyer Today
Serious construction injuries demand serious legal representation. At Breit Biniazan, we handle complex workplace injury and construction accident cases throughout Virginia, and we do not back down from well-funded contractors, insurance carriers, or corporate defendants. You deserve to know what your case is truly worth before making any decisions.
Contact Breit Biniazan Trial Lawyers today at (855) 659-4457 to schedule your free consultation. There is no fee unless we win.