Arizona Construction Accident Lawyer Blog

A Phoenix worker was injured when the crane he was operating hit power lines while lifting an air conditioning unit onto the roof of a house, according to a KPHO report. Witnesses say they heard screaming coming from the area. The worker was transported to a local hospital; however, the extent of his injuries is unclear and police did not release the man’s identity. An investigation is pending.

A deeper look into the circumstances of this Arizona crane accident will determine the cause of the worker’s injuries. There are a few possibilities as to why this incident occurred. Some of these causes may include operator error, a faulty or malfunctioning crane component that may have caused the operator to lose control, or possibly an error on the part of a third party. According to a 2009 report by the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), 32% of crane related fatalities involved overhead power line electrocution. Another 18% of crane fatalities resulted from workers being hit by crane booms/jibs and 21% resulted from crane collapses.

If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in an Arizona crane accident, it would be highly beneficial to retain the services of an experienced Phoenix crane accident injury attorney. The dedicated lawyers at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. can help you explore all of your legal options and understand your rights under Arizona law. The aftermath of a crane injury can leave victims and their families overwhelmed and confused with mounting medical bills, lost wages and other financial, emotional and physical burdens. The legal team at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. will seek restitution from all negligent parties who played a role in causing your injury and ensure that you’re justly compensated in order to begin the healing process. For more information and a free consultation of your case, call (602) 978-6400 today.

As Phoenix construction accident attorneys, we understand the importance of providing a safe work environment for employees in the construction profession. Because workers use heavy machinery such as cranes and forklifts, work high above the ground, work with electrical wiring, and oftentimes work with substances such as drywall and concrete, it is the employer’s responsibility to make sure that all safety regulations are followed with the utmost care.

Federal regulations are put in place to prevent safety hazards and employee injury or death. According to the CDC, employers should make sure that their work sites comply with all safety regulations before and during the time workers are at the job site. A few tips to help ensure worker safety include:

• Making sure all machinery operators have been properly trained


• Inspect and maintain cranes and other heavy machinery according to the manufacturer’s instructions


• Consider requiring special training or certification before hiring a new employee, even if it’s not required by law


• Utilize safe work practices when employees are working near power lines or other electrical areas

If proper safety standards are not followed in a construction zone, serious injury can occur. In 2008, 977 fatal injuries occurred in the construction and extraction fields alone, according to the United States Department of Labor. Many construction-related deaths are preventable.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an Arizona construction accident, the experienced attorneys at Breyer Law can help. We’ll give you honest answers to all of your questions so that you can make the best decision for you and your family. For more information, call one of our reputable Arizona construction accident attorneys at (602) 978-6400 today.

Most construction sites are bustling places filled with all different kinds of people, from construction company employees to subcontractors. When everyone follows the proper safety regulations, and remains in compliance with OSHA, workers are typically safe. With that said, there are time when a subcontractor may not follow proper protocol and an accident occurs. One type of construction site accident we’ve seen in Maricopa County involves falling objects – which can lead to severe injury and even death.

When these kinds of accidents do occur, the victim may have a right to file a personal injury claim in addition to filing for workers’ compensation. However, most times, workers aren’t allowed to bring a personal injury claim against their own employer. Known as the Exclusive Remedy, this means that to file a workers’ compensation claim, the workers cannot file a lawsuit against their employer or co-workers. But the rule does not prevent a worker from being allowed to file a personal injury claim against a subcontractor.

To find out whether or not your case would qualify for a personal injury lawsuit, you need the expertise of an experienced Mesa construction site accident lawyer. At Breyer Law Offices, we have experience in all kinds of construction accident cases and can give you honest answers and guidance, as well as educate you about all of your legal options, so you can make the best decision for you and your family.

Experienced Arizona construction accident lawyers will be able to evaluate your case in an honest, straightforward and realistic manner and help determine what types of damages you are entitled to in your particular case. However, in a construction accident, it is the insurance carrier who will first attempt to determine who was liable. If they determine that the worker was fully or partially responsible for the accident, they will try to reduce the value of the claim. Remember that insurance companies will certainly try to find any piece of evidence or an eyewitness who can help them establish that the accident was the worker's fault.

Other significant considerations in a construction accident claim include the seriousness of the injuries, the length of time taken to recover, the cost of medical and rehabilitative care, the possibility of long-term or permanent disability, loss of wages and future loss of earnings.

The construction company or the employer's role in the accident will and should be considered. Could the employer have better trained the worker for the job? Could the employer have prevented the injury by having safety devices in place? Did the employer allow a dangerous condition to exist at the work site? Did the employer maintain a safe working environment? These are all important questions to ask in a construction accident case. The damages an injured worker can claim include costs of medical care – both current and future, pain and suffering, wage loss, and lost earning capacity.

In most construction accident cases, the nature of the injuries, the impact of those injuries (both short-term and long-term) and the damages to seek may not be clear right away. You need the counsel and guidance of experienced Arizona personal injury lawyers who have successfully handled construction accident cases. If you or a loved one has been injured in an Arizona construction site, please call Breyer Law Offices P.C. for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will answer your questions, evaluate your case and help you secure the damages and compensation you rightfully deserve.

Arizona construction accident lawyers know and understand that falls are one of the main causes of fatalities and catastrophic injuries in construction sites. The importance of fall protection can never be understated. Any time a worker is at a height of 4 feet or more, there is a greater risk of injury and every worker must be protected. Fall protection must be provided at 4 feet in general industry, 5 feet in maritime and 6 feet in construction. However, regardless of the height or fall distance, fall protection must be provided any time a worker is working over dangerous equipment and machinery.

The most common construction site related fall incidents involve workers falling off of roofs. Recently, a 44-year-old worker died after falling from the top of an office building under construction. According to a news report, the man was actually working on the roof when he fell off for unknown reasons. He was unconscious while he was being taken to the hospital and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Such tragedies can be prevented by using fall protection systems at construction sites. Employees must be supervised and trained to use safe work procedures. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Tucson construction fall accident, please call Breyer Law Offices P.C. to get more information about your legal rights and options. Arizona workers’ compensation benefits may not always be enough to cover your serious injuries, loss of wages or other related damages. Call us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your construction accident claim.

A 63-year-old man was killed in a Phoenix construction site accident after a gravel truck rolled down an embankment and crashed on top of a water truck. According to a news report on Azfamily.com, the man who was fatally injured was the driver of one of the water trucks that was struck. The fatal construction site accident occurred in the North Valley near the Lake Pleasant area on what will eventually become Loop 303. Phoenix police officials are investigating this case.

Freeway or highway construction sites are fraught with danger, even more so, than regular building construction sites because there are more variables involved. Nevertheless, freeway construction sites are also governed by safety standards. However, Arizona construction injury lawyers know that a number of tragedies occur each year at Arizona freeway and highway construction sites because these safety standards are not followed. In this particular case, there is the possibility that someone's negligence caused the gravel truck to roll down the embankment and strike the water trucks.

Continue reading "Worker Killed at Phoenix Freeway Construction Site" »

Catastrophic injuries and fatalities are common consequences of structural collapses in Arizona construction sites. Such serious injures may be caused by unsafe work conditions, faulty equipment, worker negligence and other factors. According to a news report in the The Union-Recorder, a 32-year-old worker was crushed to death after the trusses supporting the roof of the church he was working on, gave way. That worker sustained fatal injuries, while three others were hospitalized with back and leg injuries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the incident.

In such cases, investigators usually ask several questions in order to determine how or why the incident occurred. Why were workers on the roof if it was not secure? Who was in charge of inspecting the roof before the workers were allowed to begin work? Were all safety procedures followed? Were the structures secured? Was the Arizona construction accident the result of someone's negligence?

Continue reading "Roof Collapse in Construction Site Kills One, Injures Three" »

A worker was injured after a construction crane flipped over in a work site in Chandler, Arizona. According to a news report in the Southeast Valley News, the accident occurred near Alma School and Ray Road. The crane was reportedly being used to remove trees from a home's yard when the 100-foot arm of the crane snapped. The crane then slowly turned over. Thankfully, the driver of the crane did not sustain life-threatening injuries.

Arizona crane accidents in construction sites can cause catastrophic injuries or even death. Serious personal injuries can occur when materials are dropped from the crane, when the crane has defective parts or when the operator is negligent.

Workers injured on a construction job site are often eligible for compensation to cover medical expenses, cost of hospitalization, loss of wages, continued treatment and physical therapy that might be necessary for the worker to make a complete recovery. In cases where a third party was responsible for the accident – such as a contractor, sub-contractor or the manufacturer of a defective product – the injured worker can file a claim for compensation in addition to state workers’ compensation benefits.

If you are a construction worker in Arizona who has been seriously injured on the job, please contact the knowledgeable Chandler construction site injury attorneys at Breyer Law Offices P.C. to find out more information about pursuing your legal rights. Call us at 602-978-6400 for a free case evaluation. Workers’ compensation law in Arizona is complex. Please do not put yourself at a disadvantage by delaying your claim or settling for less. Call us today to find out how we can help.

Trench collapse accidents in Arizona or cave-ins are a common occurrence at construction sites. Almost always, when a trench collapses or caves in, someone gets killed. Workers who die in such incidents are usually asphyxiated by the dirt that falls on them. The sad fact is that these tragedies can be prevented by following safety procedures outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

A recent article in The Oklahoman reports that two workers were killed while digging a septic tank. The walls of the trench that they were digging collapsed and the workers fell in. The area remained unsafe as construction crew and emergency workers attempted to recover their bodies. In this case, it took emergency workers and the construction crew several hours to recover the bodies of the two deceased workers. The area where the trench collapsed was described as extremely unstable. OSHA officials are investigating this incident.

When it comes to trench cave-in cases, it is important to look into how such accidents occurred in the first place. For instance, was the trench shored up properly? Did the construction company secure the necessary permits for the excavation? Was there a foreman or a supervisor assigned to the project to monitor changing soil and weather conditions? Did the foreman or the supervisor make sure that no large vehicles were allowed near the trench or the excavation? If the trench collapse was caused by negligence or failure to adhere to safety procedures, the victims or their families can file a personal injury or wrongful death claim against negligent parties.

Continue reading "Two Workers Killed in Construction Accident" »

As a certified specialist in personal injury and wrongful death litigation, I understand that sometimes people are not sure if they want to hire a lawyer. Instead, they just want honest answers to their questions so that they can make the decision whether to hire a lawyer. This can be particularly true when a type of injury that occurs is not a typical “car accident” case.

For instance, we have seen multiple cases of electric shock or electrocution due to faulty workmanship or construction site failures. When somebody has been injured as a result of improper wiring, they often have many, many questions. First, what rights do they have? Do they have a right to bring a personal injury claim, if they bring a personal injury claim, will experts be needed and how much will it cost?

Anyone who has these corrections as a result of any construction site or on the job injury, we are happy to provide answers. In some cases, the worker is limited to simply making a workers’ compensation claim. If that is the only thing that is available, our Phoenix electrocution accident lawyers are happy to give honest answers and advice and let those who contact us know the truth instead of trying to “sugar coat” the situation.

Continue reading "Electrocution and Electric Shock on Construction Sites Leads to Injuries of Many People throughout the State of Arizona" »

Heavy equipment is simply part of the construction trade. Trucks, dozers, loaders, forklifts, excavators, drilling equipment, and back hose – along with many other pieces of heavy equipment – need to be utilized on a construction site. However, when these pieces of machinery are not operated safely, they can lead to the wrongful death or serious injury on the construction site of an innocent worker. Far too often, these injuries are preventable and are the result of careless or reckless use by other workers.

Many people who have suffered an injury on the job site do not know where to turn. How should they find a Phoenix personal injury lawyer with experience helping people after construction accidents?

We are always happy to provide honest answers to the questions people have when they have been injured as the result of the negligent use of heavy equipment on a construction site. In determining whether a personal injury claim exists, there are many factors that must be considered.

Continue reading "Heavy Equipment Operation at Construction Sites Leads to Arizona Injuries According to Attorney" »

A number of construction accidents in Arizona, especially those relating to falls, are entirely preventable. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lists specific guidelines about how workers should use scaffolds on constructions sites and what steps workers and their employers should take to prevent accidents and injuries.

Recently, a news article reported that a construction worker fell 15 feet from a scaffold at a building site. In this case, the worker did not sustain life-threatening injuries. It is indeed fortunate considering the height from which he fell. Hopefully, his injuries were not major. However, in many cases where workers fall from scaffolds, the injuries can keep them out of work for an extended period of time. As Phoenix construction accident lawyers, we have represented clients who have sustained severe back injuries as a result of a construction site fall. These injuries may require extensive treatment and therapy, which can also turn out to be very costly.

Continue reading "Arizona Construction Accident Lawyers Help Victims File Injury Claims" »