It seems like Spokane’s streets are perpetually under construction, and in a way, that’s true. The City of Spokane has a Construction Plan that encompasses projects from 2019 to 2024, and this is in addition to maintenance and repair projects.
While this construction is a good thing, unfortunately, accidents happen just about every day in some of these road construction sites. Once someone is injured in a construction zone, the question of who is going to pay will eventually come up.
Premises Liability
Almost all road construction sites are on public land and thus generally open to the public. This means that if someone is injured on the site by a hazard created by the construction crew, then both the construction company and the city or county will be liable.
This is because of a legal doctrine called premises liability which holds the owner/operator of a property liable for any dangerous hazards on the property. A dangerous hazard can be just about anything:
- Uncovered ditch/hole,
- Poor traffic flow design,
- Dangerous equipment,
- Poor lighting,
- Flag operator mistake,
- Lack of warning signs,
- Anything dangerous condition that can cause injury.
At Crary & Domanico, P.S., we have experience in getting compensation for those injured in a construction zone. We understand that road construction is necessary, but we also know that the company and the government have a duty to keep construction zones safe for those who travel through them.
Construction Worker Injuries
Not all accidents in construction zones happen to passing motorists. Sometimes a worker is injured because of a dangerous work condition or a passing motorist. When a worker gets injured on the job, workers compensation is available to them.
However, if the accident is the fault of the motorists or another construction company or third party (not the government or employer), then the worker might be entitled to compensation from that third party.
If you get compensation from a third party, you might have to pay some of the funds to the worker’s compensation. An experienced attorney can help you in fashioning a settlement that reduces the amount you have to pay back according to state law.
Compensation
If the court finds that the construction site owner didn’t do what a reasonable owner would do to keep the area safe, then the law can compensate the injured person for their financial losses. Some of these common losses that can be awarded are:
- Medical Bills
- Rehab Treatment/Equipment
- Travel
- Lost Time from Work
- Future Lost Time from Work
- Permanent Disability/Disfigurement
- Pain and Suffering
- Loss of Consortium (Intimacy, affection, etc.)
These are a few and there could be others specific to each case.
Contact a Construction Injury Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in one of the many construction zones in and around Spokane, you owe it to yourself to talk to an attorney who can tell you if you have a case that could get you compensation for your injuries. At Crary & Domanico, P.S., we offer a free consultation and we collect no money until you get an award or settlement.
We also have years of experience dealing with construction site injuries and working with insurance companies. We know all the tricks and tactics they use to keep you from getting fair compensation. Call us today and get someone on your side. You can call us at (509) 926 4900, or send us a message by clicking here.
