Construction projects being completed does not always mean that the structure is safe to use. In the construction industry, there have been numerous cases of people being injured due to faulty construction. These issues can range from defective wiring, and faulty equipment to poor structural integrity.
Injuries due to faulty construction can occur in both residential and commercial buildings, varying from minor scrapes to broken bones or even death. Sometimes, property damage is also a result of these issues. Contractors or construction companies have a duty of care and are often at fault for not ensuring the safety of the structure before turning it over to the owner. They can be held liable for any injuries that occur as a result of their negligence.
To hold them legally responsible for compensation claims the victims must provide evidence of the company's failure to meet safety standards. Marks Law Group, construction injury lawyers are available to assist with any construction accident cases and personal injury lawsuits. Call today at 678-251-9309 to receive a free consultation.
What is Considered Faulty Construction?
Faulty construction is a term used to describe structural failures resulting from mistakes in design, construction, installation, or maintenance. This term encompasses a wide range of physical structures, including commercial buildings and residential homes.
An example of faulty construction could be an incorrectly installed or poorly maintained roof, which has not met safety regulation standards and has the potential to cause significant damage.
Common examples of faulty construction include:
• Unsafe electrical wiring or electrical systems
• Poor structural integrity, such as weak foundations or walls that are not properly secured
• Faulty plumbing systems, such as leaky pipes or loose connections
• Inadequate ventilation, which can lead to the buildup of toxic fumes and gases
• Improperly installed roofs, windows, or doors
• Issues with fire safety, such as improperly installed smoke alarms or fire extinguishers in an apartment building.
Faulty construction can be caused by various factors, such as the use of substandard materials and inadequate supervision. In certain instances, the company in charge of the construction may be held responsible for any resulting construction site accident injuries or property damage.
Causes of Injuries from Faulty Construction
Safety should always be the top priority in construction. However, when safety measures are ignored or poor-quality materials and equipment are used, serious injuries can occur.
Injuries from faulty construction can be caused by improper tool and heavy equipment use, design flaws, defective materials, and inadequate maintenance. These issues can lead to severe injury accidents such as collapses or structural failures. Regular inspections and repairs are necessary to prevent such incidents.
Who is Liable for Injuries Caused by Faulty Construction?
Determining liability for an injury caused by faulty construction can be challenging. The liable parties depend on the circumstances and may involve multiple individuals. Those involved in the design, construction, and maintenance of a structure can potentially be held liable if their negligence leads to injury.
In some cases, the general contractor may be responsible for the entire project, while subcontractors or independent contractors may be liable for specific aspects.
Manufacturers and suppliers could also be held accountable if faulty materials were used. It is crucial to understand that each workplace accident case is unique, and determining liability can be complex.
Property Owner
Property owners have a legal duty to keep their property safe, including any ongoing construction. If they fail to meet safety standards, people can get injured due to faulty construction.
In such cases, the injured individuals may be able to sue the property owner. This is especially true if the owner knew about the danger but did nothing about it.
When the property owner is at fault, they will be held responsible for the injuries and damages caused by the faulty construction. They may also have to pay for any resulting expenses, depending on the situation.
Construction Companies
Construction companies design and build structures like homes, offices, buildings, roads, and bridges. They are responsible for ensuring that their projects meet safety standards and provide quality results.
Unfortunately, faulty construction practices or materials can result in injuries or fatalities for construction workers. These injuries can range from minor scrapes to more severe consequences such as nerve damage, brain damage, wrongful death, hearing loss, knee injuries, mental anguish, broken bones, or paralysis.
If a construction company is found at fault for an injured construction worker, individuals may be able to file a construction accident lawsuit to seek compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Product Manufacturers
Product manufacturers have a responsibility for the safety of their products and can be held accountable when their products cause harm to consumers. If a product is determined to have a defective design or manufacturing, affected individuals can seek compensation through product liability lawsuits.
Injured parties may have claims for negligence, strict liability, breach of warranty, or misrepresentation against the manufacturer. In certain situations, product manufacturers may be held jointly liable with other parties if their defective construction equipment contributes to injuries due to faulty construction.
Other Parties Involved in the Project
In a faulty construction project, multiple parties may be responsible for injuries. These parties include contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, and architects. These third parties may have been negligent and contributed to defects or building code violations that caused the injuries.
Contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, occupational safety and health administration, and architects must follow safety standards in construction codes. If they fail in this duty, they can be held accountable for any resulting injured workers.
OSHA has strict guidelines in place to help construction sites regulate safety to ensure these kinds of incidents do not occur.
What Types of Injuries May Result from Faulty Construction?
Faulty construction can cause a range of injuries, including scrapes, bruises, broken bones, lacerations, and traumatic brain injury.
- Spinal Cord Injury: Spinal cord injuries from construction defects can have serious and lasting effects on individuals.
- Brain Injury/ Traumatic Brain Injury: (TBI) TBI is brain injury from physical force or disruption of brain activity. It can be caused by accidents, falls, sports, toxins, or faulty construction.
- Broken Bones/ Fractures: Fractures are common injuries caused by faulty construction. Poorly constructed roads, unstable staircases, and unsecured scaffolding can all lead to serious bodily harm. When the body experiences significant trauma from a slip or fall, bones can break and cause intense pain.
- Burns: Faulty construction burns can cause severe physical and psychological pain, disfigurement, and even death. The most common type is thermal burns from exposed wires.
- Loss of Limb or Limb Damage: The pain and suffering caused by the loss or severe damage to a limb due to faulty construction is a real experience that some people have to go through. This can be a result of defective building materials, inadequate safety measures, or hazardous working conditions.
- Death: Faulty construction can lead to tragic and heartbreaking deaths. This occurs when a structure fails to meet safety standards, resulting in the loss of life. It is often caused by poor materials, improper design, or a lack of oversight during construction. These deaths could have been prevented with proper safety measures and inspections. Victims may be eligible for wrongful death claim compensation, but nothing can bring back a life lost too soon.
Compensation Benefits for Injured Parties Due to Faulty Construction
Construction is a booming industry with a need for safety measures. Accidents can happen if precautions are not taken, leading to serious injuries. In these situations, victims may be entitled to compensation if it can be proven that faulty construction caused their injury.
The first step for a victim is to contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can explain their compensation law rights and assist with filing for personal injury claims compensation. This may cover medical bills for medical care and medical attention, loss of income, pain, and suffering, and other damages. In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded if it can be proven that the negligent party acted willfully.
Call Marks Law Group Today if You've Been Injured Due to Faulty Construction!
If you’ve been injured due to faulty construction, it can be a frightening and confusing situation. At Marks Law Group, our construction accident attorneys understand how overwhelming this experience can be. Our knowledgeable construction accident lawyers are here to help guide you through the construction accident claim legal process and get the compensation that you deserve.
We have experience handling cases involving defective products, dangerous premises, and negligent construction work. We will evaluate your construction accident injuries case and provide you with the best possible legal representation. Don’t wait – contact us today for a free consultation.