Construction Accident Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Nebraska

What Causes Most Construction Accidents in Nebraska?

Construction accidents happen for many reasons, and most trace back to unsafe conditions or a lack of proper safety practices on the job site. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports that falls and unsafe conditions remain among the leading causes of injury and death in the construction industry, and Nebraska sites face many of the same risks. 

Common causes of construction accidents include:

• Falls from ladders, scaffolding, or unfinished floors
• Being struck by falling tools, materials, or heavy equipment
• Electrocution from exposed or poorly maintained wiring
• Trench and excavation collapses
• Equipment malfunctions involving cranes, forklifts, or nail guns

Any one of these hazards can cause a serious injury that keeps you out of work for weeks or months. Identifying the exact cause of your accident is often the first step toward understanding what compensation you may be entitled to receive, and it can also help determine whether anyone besides your employer bears responsibility.

Am I Eligible for Workers’ Compensation After a Construction Accident?

Most Nebraska employees hurt on a construction job are eligible for workers’ compensation regardless of who caused the accident. This coverage can pay for medical treatment, a portion of your lost income, and benefits for any lasting disability, including cases where an injury prevents you from returning to construction work at all. Filing a work injury claim quickly and documenting your injury well can make a real difference in how smoothly your case moves forward, since delayed reporting is one of the most common reasons a claim gets questioned.

What if I Was Misclassified as an Independent Contractor?

Construction crews often include subcontractors, temporary laborers, and workers labeled as independent contractors, even when their day-to-day work looks like an employee’s. This distinction matters because independent contractors are typically not covered by workers’ compensation. If your employer misclassified you to avoid providing coverage, you may still have options for recovering compensation, and it is worth having your situation reviewed.

What Injuries Commonly Result From Construction Accidents?

Construction accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from broken bones to conditions that affect a worker for the rest of their life. Spinal injuries and traumatic brain injuries are especially common after falls or being struck by heavy equipment, and both can require extensive medical care, long recovery times, and ongoing support at home. Burns, crush injuries, and hearing loss from prolonged exposure to loud machinery are also common on active job sites.

In some cases, a party other than your employer, such as a subcontractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer, may share responsibility for your injury. When that happens, you may have a separate third-party construction accident claim in addition to your workers’ compensation benefits, which can provide an additional source of recovery beyond what workers’ compensation alone covers.