Construction Accident Attorney Buffalo, MN
Minnesota construction workers face serious job-related hazards every day. However, just because construction work comes with risk doesn’t mean you should be left to foot the bill when someone else’s negligence causes you life-altering harm. You deserve legal representation with the knowledge, skill, experience, and dedication to hold the person who hurt you financially accountable for what they’ve done.
The experienced construction accident attorneys at Carlson & Jones, P.A. have over 70 years of combined experience protecting the rights of Minnesotans who’ve been harmed by others. We don’t let big insurance companies push our clients around, and we never accept a settlement that fails to accurately reflect the true impact of your injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation at our offices in Buffalo, Brainerd, Hutchinson, or Minnetonka.
Common Types of Construction Accidents in Minnesota
Serious injuries occur on Minnesota construction sites in many different ways. An unfortunate number of these incidents result from unsafe conditions, inadequate training, ignored safety rules, or negligent supervision. These errors can lead to:
- Workers falling from scaffolding or ladders
- Falling tools or materials striking workers below
- Machinery malfunctions or improper tool use cause serious harm
- Contact with live wires or faulty electrical systems causing electrocution injuries
- Unstable trenches collapsing and trapping or crushing workers
- Uneven surfaces or dangerous weather conditions causing slip-and-fall injuries
Any one of these incidents can lead to life-changing harm. If you face daily pain, extensive medical treatment, piling bills, or long-term impairment, our attorneys stand ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Common Construction Injuries in Minnesota
The dangerous nature of construction work increases the risk of serious accident injuries, such as:
- Broken bones and complex fractures
- Severe burns
- Internal organ damage
- Amputations
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Psychological trauma
While the physical impacts can prove devastating, the psychological trauma these injuries cause can often be the most significant impact of all. Our attorneys carefully assess the full scope of your injuries, both physical and emotional, when calculating compensation.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Construction Accident Claim?
Anyone whose actions or inaction contribute to a construction accident can potentially be liable—that is, legally responsible—for its consequences. Sometimes, this may be a single party, while other times, blame is shared by several. Some of the most common liable parties include:
- General contractors who fail to maintain a safe job site
- Subcontractors who create hazards through unsafe practices
- Property owners who ignore dangerous conditions
- Equipment manufacturers who produce defective tools or machinery
Given the overlapping responsibilities on many construction sites, an in-depth investigation might be required to identify all the responsible parties. Our construction accident lawyers will act quickly to uncover the truth about the incident and pursue all potential avenues for recovery.
Compensation Available in Minnesota Construction Accident Claims
In many circumstances, Minnesota law allows construction accident victims to pursue compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial harm they’ve suffered, including:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
It may take considerable time to fully understand the full impact of your injuries on your daily life and finances. Insurance companies understand this fact, and they may attempt to leverage it by pressuring you into accepting quick, lowball settlements. Let an experienced personal injury law firm assess your claim to determine its full value before agreeing to any offer.
How Long Do I Have to File a Construction Accident Lawsuit?
In Minnesota, you typically have six years from the date of the injury to file a construction accident lawsuit. After that, courts will most likely throw your case out if you attempt to recover compensation.
While six years may feel like plenty of time, there are important reasons not to put off starting your claim. The longer you wait to pursue your claim, the harder it becomes for your lawyer to build a winning case. Evidence can disappear quickly, and witnesses can become hard to track down. If you want to protect your rights, you should speak to a personal injury law firm right away.
How a Construction Accident Attorney Can Help
When the physical pain, emotional distress, and financial pressure of a construction accident become too overwhelming to bear, a skilled law firm can provide the clear guidance and critical support you need. While you focus on getting better, your attorney can help by:
- Providing a free, no-obligation consultation
- Investigating the incident and collecting critical evidence
- Consulting experts to gather key testimony
- Interviewing witnesses
- Calculating the full value of your claim
- Negotiating for a fair settlement
- Taking your case to trial, when necessary
You shouldn’t have to bear any legal burden at this time. Instead, you should be able to focus all of your energy on your health. With a dedicated construction accident attorney handling your case, you can do exactly that.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Pursuing Your Claim
Even a small misstep early in your case can have a devastating domino effect that weakens your claim and impacts your payout. These include:
- Delaying medical treatment
- Failing to report the accident
- Giving recorded statements to insurers
- Accepting quick offers
- Posting about the accident on social media
Perhaps the most serious mistake to avoid is failing to call a law firm near you. Your attorney can help you to better understand the importance of avoiding these mistakes while they build a compelling claim for maximum compensation.
Minnesota Construction Accident Claims FAQs
Below, you’ll find the answers to some of the most common questions that clients ask the attorneys at our law firm regarding construction accident claims in Minnesota.
Do I qualify for compensation if I caused part of the accident?
Yes, you might still be able to recover compensation if you contributed to the accident. Minnesota follows a modified comparative fault system for personal injury claims, which allows an accident victim who’s found to be not more than 50 percent at fault for what happened to recover compensation for their injuries.
However, your recovery will decrease based on your percentage of fault. That means if a court finds you 20 percent at fault for the accident, that 20 percent will be deducted from your compensation. An experienced lawyer can build a compelling claim holding the at-fault party fully accountable to protect you from unnecessary deductions to your recovery.
Can I file a lawsuit if I receive workers’ compensation?
Yes, you may pursue a third-party personal injury claim even if you receive workers’ comp benefits for the accident, provided someone other than your employer caused the accident. Workers’ compensation requires employers to provide benefits to injured employees in exchange for protecting them from liability. In other words, as long as your employer carries the legally required workers’ comp insurance, you can’t sue them for an accident under most circumstances.
How much is my case worth?
Case values depend on several factors, including the severity of the victim’s injuries, their medical costs, how much income they’ve lost, and how the injuries affect their life. A personal injury lawyer can evaluate these factors when reviewing your case and provide a realistic estimate.
Contact a Minnesota Construction Accident Attorney Today
If you’ve suffered injuries in a bicycle accident caused by someone else’s careless actions, you need a skilled attorney to protect your rights. The team at Carlson & Jones, P.A., offers skilled legal guidance and relentless advocacy as you seek justice for your injuries. Contact us today for your free consultation.