Construction sites move fast, and it only takes one distracted moment or missed safety step to cause a life-altering injury. When a worker or bystander gets hurt on a job site, figuring out how it happened and who bears responsibility can feel overwhelming while you are also managing medical care and lost income.
At Hollis Law Firm, we help people across Kansas and Missouri understand their options after a construction accident. We know these cases often involve multiple parties, from general contractors to equipment manufacturers, and we work to identify every source of compensation available to you.
How Falls Lead to Serious Construction Injuries
Falls remain one of the most common causes of injury on construction sites. Workers on scaffolding, ladders, roofs, or elevated platforms face a fall risk any time proper protection is missing or improperly installed.
According to OSHA’s Fall Prevention Campaign, falls to a lower level accounted for 389 of the 1,034 construction fatalities recorded in 2024, making them the leading cause of death in the industry. A missing guardrail, an unsecured harness, or a poorly maintained ladder can turn a routine task into a catastrophic fall in just seconds.
Struck By and Caught In Between Hazards
Beyond falls, construction workers face daily exposure to heavy equipment, falling materials, and machinery that can trap or crush a person caught between two objects. These hazards often stem from inadequate site supervision or a failure to follow basic safety protocols that are in place to protect workers.
A crane operator who misjudges a load, a crew that leaves tools near an edge, or equipment that lacks proper guarding can all set the stage for an accident. The following factors often contribute to these types of injuries:
- Improperly secured loads or materials that shift or fall unexpectedly
- Heavy machinery operated without required safety guards or alarms
- Poor communication between crews working in close proximity
- Inadequate lighting or visibility in active work zones
Once we understand which of these factors played a role in your case, we can begin building a clear picture of what went wrong and who allowed it to happen.
Determining Liability After a Construction Accident
Construction sites typically involve many different parties, which can make liability more complex than a typical premises liability case. General contractors, subcontractors, property owners, and equipment suppliers may all share some level of responsibility depending on what caused the accident.
If a piece of equipment failed because of a design flaw or manufacturing defect, a product liability claim against the manufacturer may apply. If the accident happened because a contractor ignored safety codes or failed to properly train workers, that contractor may bear direct responsibility for the resulting harm.
When Multiple Parties Share Responsibility
It is incredibly common for more than one party to hold some degree of fault in a construction site accident. A general contractor may have failed to enforce safety standards while a subcontractor used defective equipment, and both circumstances can contribute to the same incident.
We take the time to review contracts, safety records, and inspection reports to determine exactly how responsibility should be divided. This process helps make sure no liable party avoids accountability simply because more than one entity was involved.
What to Do After a Construction Accident
Getting proper medical treatment should always come first after any construction site injury. Documentation from your treatment provides an important record connecting your injuries to the incident, which becomes even more valuable if you pursue compensation later.
Reporting the accident to a supervisor and requesting a written incident report can also protect your position. If the accident resulted in a traumatic brain injury, a spinal cord injury, or another serious condition, keeping thorough records of your ongoing treatment and how the injury affects your daily life can strengthen your position going forward.
Let Hollis Law Firm Help You Move Forward
Construction accidents often leave workers and their families facing extensive medical bills, lost income, and long recovery periods, all while trying to figure out who should be held accountable. Our lawyer has spent years investigating complex accident cases throughout Kansas and Missouri, working to uncover every contributing factor and every responsible party.
We have collected more than $100 million for our clients in settlements and judgments, and we bring that same dedication to every construction accident case we take on. If you were hurt on a construction site and need guidance on your next steps, reach out through our contact form so we can begin reviewing what happened.
