There are many people moving around a construction site, and they are all working on various projects. All of this activity makes a construction site a very chaotic place to be, which can increase the likelihood of an accident occurring. That confusion though, does not only increase the chance of an accident occurring, but it can also make it more difficult to determine who is liable for a crash. Below, our Ohio construction accident lawyers list the most common liable parties in any accident that occurs on a construction site.
All property owners in Ohio are responsible for ensuring their premises are safe and that they warn visitors and anyone else who enters the property of certain dangers. Any time a property owner fails to do this, they can be held liable for any damages an accident victim sustains. Construction site property owners must post information about safety hazards, including the presence of dangerous materials, and they must ensure the site is as safe as possible.
Depending on the setup of a construction project, one construction company may oversee all the different aspects of the work being done. When this is the case, it is much easier to determine if that one construction company is liable. In other cases, a general contractor is in charge of the entire project and the contractor hires subcontractors to work on the different projects. Subcontractors often bring their own tools to the job and are not directly overseen by the general contractor. That opens them up to liability.
Regardless of how a construction site is run, contractors and construction companies can be held liable for construction accidents. These individuals can also be held liable when they have not adhered to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.
Often, contractors, construction companies, and construction workers are completing work in accordance with plans provided to them by architects and engineers. When those plans are faulty and they lead to an accident, the engineer or architect who provided the plan can be found liable.
Construction workers often have to use heavy equipment that is dangerous by its very nature. It is imperative that this equipment is in good working condition so no one becomes hurt. When that is not the case and a defective piece of equipment causes an accident that results in injury, accident victims can file a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a construction accident, do not file a claim on your own. At Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC, our Ohio construction accident lawyer can provide the sound legal advice you need and determine who was liable. Call us today or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we will hold liable parties accountable for paying full damages.