Construction site are a bee hive of activity. The workers of the general and subcontractors crawl over each other in their rush to get the job done. There are a thousand of deaths and many hundred thousands of seriously disabling injuries each year.

Roofs, beams, unprotected openings, and scaffolds are places from which workers' fall. Equipment, trucks, cranes, and materials strike and injure workers. Equipment, trenches, falling walls, and tools squash workers. Electrocutions happen. Construction sties are dangerous places.

WHO IS AT FAULT?

The general contractor has the responsibility for safety on the work site. The sub contractors are responsible to ensure a safe work place regarding their scope of work and the zone of danger under their control.

The material suppliers are responsible for the movement and storage of the materials they bring on to the work site.

The manufacturer of products are responsible for the foreseeable consequences of safe use of their product.

To be successful with a third party construction site case you will need to prove fault. To prove fault you need evidence. Evidence can disappear quickly. It is important to take pictures, find and talk to witness, gather investigative reports, and encourage WISHA inspectors to visit the site. Get legal help if you need it.

THE BIG PICTURE?

A worker on the job, hurt on a construction site, has a workers' compensation claim. If the person causing the injury is not the employer or a co-employee, then this worker also has a third party claim.

THIRD PARTY CLAIMS

You have a third party claim if you are injured on the job by someone who is not your employer or a co-employee. For example a subcontractor injured by the general contractor or a different subcontractor, has a third party claim. He also has an L&I claim. You can have both claims at the same time. More about THIRD PARTY CLAIMS.

CAN I SUE MY EMPLOYER?

In Washington State you cannot sue your employer or a co-worker for job injuries, when you have a workers' compensation claim. The L&I system replaces your ability to sue your employer for his negligence. It doesn't matter that it's your employer's fault. More about CAN I SUE MY EMPLOYER?

WISHA

WISHA, an arm of the Department of Labor & Industries, regulates job site safety in the state of Washington.

WAC 296-155-040 (1) Each employer shall furnish to each employee a place of employment free from recognized hazards...

WAC 296-155-040 (2)....Every employer shall do everything reasonably necessary to protect the life and safety of its employees.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A SERIOUS CONSTRUCTION SITE INJURY?

1. Get medical care
2. File an L&I claim
3. File a third party claim.
4. Talk to a lawyer who knows both types of law.

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