Posted On: May 29, 2009

Crane Collapse Injures Construction Worker

Construction accident attorneys in Arizona and throughout the US often find themselves helping people who have suffered serious injuries on a job and need to pursue damages beyond those available under Arizona Workers Compensation laws. Often times, what begins as an OSHA investigations (or AOSHA investigations in Arizona) leads to information that can form the basis of a lawsuit for the injured person.

According to a report, the collapse of a crane in a construction accident is under investigation. The crane accident resulted in injuries to a worker on the construction site. Early reports indicate that the crane was lifting a steel beam when it appeared that the weight of the beam caused the crane to twist and collapse. An ambulance was called to the scene of the construction accident but by the time it arrived, the construction worker had already driven himself to a nearby hospital.

Although, thankfully, it appears that the construction worker was not severely injured in this accident, recent crane accidents indicate that many construction workers are not so lucky. Tragically, crane accidents result in preventable deaths or catastrophic injuries for construction workers and the victim’s family is left with a pile of bills and questions about their options.

If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed in a construction accident, the experienced Tuscon construction accident attorneys at Breyer Law Offices, P.C., are ready to assist you. After a free consultation, they will launch an immediate investigation into the accident, answer any questions you may have, and hold the company or individual responsible for the accident accountable for their actions. Call 602-978-6400 today to schedule a free consultation with the Arizona construction accident lawyers at Breyer Law Offices, P.C., and get straight answers to your questions.

Posted On: May 27, 2009

Fall at Construction Site Leads to Harrowing Rescue

Arizona construction accident lawyers are often called upon to answer questions regarding payment of medical bills, money for lost wages, and pain and suffering claims owed to people hurt when injured on construction sites. A lack of OSHA required fall protection often leads to claims for money damages that can be explained by top Phoenix, Arizona construction injury lawyers.

A recent report indicates that police officials and OSHA are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fall and serious injury of a construction worker who fell 30 feet while preparing to pour a concrete floor in a building under construction. The injured worker was last reported to be in an area hospital in critical but stable condition. This type of accident occurs far too common.

Officials say that the building’s layout and construction materials made for a difficult rescue. Rescue workers had to set up a complicated rigging system to reach and extract the injured worker. He was then lowered safely to the ground for transportation to the hospital.

Falls at a construction site and other types of accidents happen throughout the country and repeatedly occur at Arizona construction sites. In many cases, these accidents are caused by inattentive supervision, inadequate safety procedures and training, and the dangers of working around heavy construction equipment. Arizona’s skilled construction accident attorneys are dedicated to helping accident victims and their families recover from construction accidents.

Over the years, Breyer Law has been retained to help many Arizona construction accident victims receive compensation to offset the steep costs of medical care, medication, and physical rehabilitation regimens. If you or someone you care for has been killed or injured in a construction accident, call the experienced Phoenix construction accident attorneys at Breyer Law Offices, P.C., today at 602.978.6400.

Posted On: May 25, 2009

Crane Accident Fatally Injures Construction Worker with Falling Glass Panes

Can someone who was hurt get money in Arizona beyond just what workers compensation claims pay them? Often times, these claims are limited to whatever is allowed under workman’s comp. However, many people do not realize that construction accidents in Arizona and injuries are often different due to the number of sub-contractors on the job site. Thus, getting the top injury accident lawyer can be important in helping to determine if there is a claim.

A 24-year-old construction worker was killed in a construction accident after he was struck by glass panes that fell from a crane, as reported in a recent article. The worker was working on a building remodel when the glass panes fell off the top of a crane. The man was taken to a local hospital where he died shortly after the accident. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating this fatal construction site accident.

The sad and unfortunate truth about crane accidents in Arizona is that they are often totally preventable. Crane accidents can occur when loads are dropped, as it did in this worker's case. These accidents can also occur when the crane collapses or tips, or when individuals fall from cranes. No matter how crane accidents occur, the consequences are usually devastating and often fatal. Some of the serious injuries that could occur as a result of crane accidents include broken bones, chemical burns, brain injuries, paralysis and disfigurement. All of these injuries have severe financial, physical and emotional consequences for injured victims and their families.

Arizona law allows victims of construction accidents such as crane accidents to sue for injury-related compensation beyond just making a workmens' compensation claim in many cases. However, the law relating to such cases can be complex. Each case needs to be carefully investigated and convincing evidence needs to be collected to prove every individual case. If you have been injured in an Arizona crane accident, call a skilled Phoenix construction accident attorney at Breyer Law for a free consultation and evaluation of your claim. We will explore every possible avenue to secure fair compensation for your injuries and loss.

Posted On: May 22, 2009

Construction Worker Crushed to Death

Arizona construction workers have the right to be protected from serious physical injury while working. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes injury lawyers who are specialists in what they do to bring these companies to justice and obtain money for construction workers; more than just what is provided under workers compensation claims. It is not just Arizona construction injury lawyers that are needed; instead, all the best injury lawyers in the United States and Arizona need to come together to protect these workers.

This report describes a recent construction accident death where a construction worker was crushed to death trying to help a truck driver get his rig unstuck on a muddy dirt road. Emergency response personnel responding to the construction accident scene say that a tractor-trailer hauling concrete pipes got stuck on a muddy portion of dirt road. The accident victim attempted to assist the truck’s driver by trying to hook a chain from the trailer to a nearby bulldozer to pull it free of the mud. While the victim was behind the trailer out of the truck driver’s sight, the driver mistakenly believed the man was no longer behind the truck and put the truck in reverse, crushing the victim to death.

When Arizona construction accidents involve heavy equipment such as tractor-trailers, workers are often killed or suffer very serious injuries that require costly medical care and lengthy rehabilitation regimens. The victims and their families seldom have the financial resources to cover medical care that quickly—which runs into the hundreds of thousands of dollars—and don’t know what to do.

If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in a work site accident, the skilled Phoenix construction accident attorneys at Breyer Law Offices, P.C., may be able to help. They have been hired by many construction workers and their families to help them receive financial compensation to assist with medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages and other aftereffects of construction accidents. To schedule a no-cost meeting with experienced Arizona construction accident lawyers who will give you honest answers to you questions – not just tell you what they think you want to hear - call Breyer Law at 602.978.6400.

Posted On: May 20, 2009

Construction Company Fined for Lax Enforcement of Safety Standards

When it comes to finding a construction injury lawyer in Arizona, it is important to look for the best Arizona injury lawyer you can find. Construction sites include so many hazards to the workers that can be missed by lawyers that do not have a certain level of experience in this area of the law. For instance, pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, and other claims may all be paid by another subcontractor on a job site if they violated OSHA and were negligent in causing the injury to the other person on the job. Many lawyers do not realize there are claims above and beyond Arizona workman’s comp claims. OSHA is active throughout the US, and their investigations are sometimes revealing.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has accused a company of failing to properly protect workers at a job site and is considering levying fines of nearly $181,000 according to an article. OSHA claims that the Construction Company has been cited for 13 violations of construction safety standards. They claim that the company failed to protect workers adequately from falls at the construction site, drowning and other hazards at the construction site.

An inspection in December conducted by OSHA personnel found that workers at the site were exposed to possible falls up to 43 feet into the river without fall protection on unprotected or inadequately protected sections of the bridge they were working on. Inspectors also found that workers were using an access ladder of inadequate height on the site. Additionally, inspectors found that workers faced additional drowning risk on the construction site due to lack of ring buoys, life jackets and no rescue skiff on the worksite in case a worker fell into the river.

C. William Freeman, OSHA’s area director, said, “The significant hazard of a four-story plunge was exacerbated by the lack of required lifesaving rescue equipment. While it's fortunate no fall or drowning occurred, the potential for a fatal or serious accident was real and present at this jobsite."

It is very unfortunate and dangerous for workers, but many Arizona construction companies also fail to provide adequate work site protection for their workers and workers for other subcontractors. Even under the best of circumstances, construction sites are dangerous workplaces. But when proper safety measures, training and equipment are not provided by construction companies, the risk of catastrophic injury or construction accident death in Tuscon is greatly enhanced.

If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed in an accident at a construction site, the experienced Tucson construction accident lawyers at Breyer Law Offices, P.C., may be able to help. Their personal injury attorneys have helped countless injury and accident victims and their families over the years, and can answer any questions victims may have after an accident has occurred. To schedule a free consultation with experienced Arizona construction accident law firm, Breyer Law Offices, P.C., call them today at 602.978.6400.

Posted On: May 18, 2009

Trench Construction Accident Kills Worker

Arizona families are far too often faced with tragedy when their family member is severely hurt – or in some cases even killed – while working on a construction job. Plumbers, electricians, framers, and every other type of construction worker are at risk. When tragedy strikes and a family member is badly hurt on the job, finding a lawyer that knows that they are doing and has experience in personal injury claims is vital. Without the help of an accident lawyer, construction workers are less likely to receive all of the compensation to which they are entitled under Arizona injury law.

Sometimes, tragedy can strike in unexpected ways. A construction worker using a saw to cut a pipe in a trench was killed after the saw kicked back and struck him in the neck, according to a recent Associated Press news report. The worker was working for an excavating company, which was building a water pump. He was apparently using a large, gas-powered saw to cut through a water main when the trench accident occurred. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) officials are investigating the construction accident death, which is normal procedure to make sure that the company did not violate safety procedures. This same company reportedly received 11 OSHA citations for life-threatening violations involving a trench project in September. OSHA characterized those violations, which totaled up to $700,000, as intentional and that it showed "plain indifference" to federal workplace safety regulations.

Numerous construction accidents in Arizona occur each year as a result of unsafe workplace practices. These safety violations may include unstable scaffolds or structures, electrocution, auto accidents, slips and falls, and injuries because of machinery. Construction accidents can also occur as a result of malfunctioning or defective equipment. In such cases, the manufacturer of the defective product or another party that failed to properly maintain that equipment can be held liable.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an Arizona construction site accident, please call an experienced Phoenix construction accident attorney at Breyer Law to schedule a free consultation. Our successful team has represented Arizona personal injury victims for 12 years and we would be more than happy to provide a free a confidential case evaluation in your case. Even if you do not know if you want to bring a claim, we strongly encourage you to call any of the top Arizona injury lawyers you can find to make sure you know the answers to the questions (and even find out answers to questions you did not know existed!) before losing out on rights that are there for your legal protection.

Posted On: May 15, 2009

Construction Accident at Construction Site Kills Worker

People hurt on construction sites know that many injuries are avoidable. Injuries on the construction site are often preventable. Many times, they are caused by reckless or negligent sub-contractors throughout Arizona and the entire United States. Often times, the only way to get fair compensation is to find a construction site expert who can support the claim, and these claims are usually best made through the hiring of one of the top 10 Arizona personal injury lawyers a person can find that fits their case.

A construction worker died after he took a 10-foot fall at a construction site, according to this news report. The construction worker, who was not identified, suffered severe head trauma. He was taken to the hospital where he died an hour after the fall. The man was apparently part of a construction crew that was building single-family homes. Police have ruled the construction death an accident.

According to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry. An average of 362 fatal falls occurred each year from 1995 to 1999, with the trend on the increase. It is extremely important that employers have safety and health programs in place to protect their workers from falls on the job.

The following hazards, according to OSHA cause the most fall-related injuries:
• Unprotected sides, wall openings and floor holes
• Improper scaffold construction
• Unguarded protruding steel rebars
• Misuse of portable ladders.

According to the Industrial Commission of Arizona's construction accident statistics, there were 14 construction site deaths in 2007, out of which six involved falls. If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one as a result of an Arizona construction accident, please call Breyer Law to schedule a free and comprehensive consultation. Our experienced Phoenix construction accident attorneys will look at the different aspects of your case and all parties involved to determine whether your accident was caused by someone's negligence. Very often, we find that these construction accidents could have been prevented had proper safety procedures been followed.

Posted On: May 13, 2009

Tucson Electrocution Work Accident Kills Man

Arizona construction lawyers help families of loved ones lost in deadly construction accidents in Phoenix on a regular basis. Many times, these unfortunate situations are caused by the neglect of another party. Too many people look only to workers compensation as a source of restitution after an on-the-job accident in Tucson, Arizona and throughout the state. Many times, more remedies are available, something a top Tucson construction accident lawyer can determine for the family who has lost someone.

According to this report in the Arizona Daily Star, a 61-year-old construction worker was electrocuted on Tuesday, February 10, while setting up a utility pole. Authorities have not yet released the man’s name, but investigating officials say that the man was working for a private firm located in the East River Road/North Dodge Boulevard area when the pole came into contact with overhead power lines.

Anne-Marie Braswell, a Rural/Metro spokeswoman, said that the electrocution accident in Tucson was reported just before 10:30 a.m. by someone near the accident site. After being taken to University Medical Center in Tucson, the man was pronounced dead. According to officials, the man was working on the Dodge Transportation Enhancement Project taking place from East Fort Lowell Road to East River Road, reported Annabelle Quihuis, a Pima County Department of Transportation spokeswoman.

At the time the report was issued, Ms. Quihuis did not know if he worked for a subcontractor or not, but the accident is being investigated by the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health. Construction accidents and other work-related accidents are the third-most common causes of death in Arizona each year. Many of these Arizona construction accidents could be avoided with proper safeguards in place and preparation.

If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed in a work-related accident, Arizona's skilled construction accident attorneys at Breyer Law Offices, P.C., may be able to help. It can be difficult to know what to do after someone close to you has been injured at work. But the Arizona construction accident lawyers at Breyer Law Offices, P.C., can help victims or their loved ones receive compensation to offset steep medical costs and other expenses after a work-related accident. For a free consultation with experienced Arizona work-related accident attorneys, call the Breyer Law Offices, P.C., today at 602.978.6400.

Posted On: May 11, 2009

Construction Accident Fall Kills Worker

Experienced Arizona construction accident lawyers are often faced with educating workers on their rights after an injury. Too often, construction workers are not provided information on all of their rights after serious accidents, relying too heavily on workers compensation claims without the added protection of claims against the at-fault company.

Law enforcement officials have launched an investigation into the death of a worker at a construction site. As set forth in a report, the accident occurred shortly after 11 A.M. on Monday, March 9, 2009, at a construction site. Officials say that a worker was working in the basket of a scissors lift when it was hit by a forklift, throwing the worker to his death in a fatal construction site fall.

The man was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead due to the fatal construction accident. According to police, the man was an electrician employed by TP Electric working on a water filtration plant at the time of the accident.

Trooper Mark Schmelzlen said in a press release, "The front leading edge of the forks on the forklift came in contact with the underside edge of the scissors lift causing it to tip. The tilting of the scissors lift, coupled with the weight of the victim in the top basket, caused the scissors lift to fall over on its side. The victim was thrown from the lift basket."

The use of heavy equipment on a construction site is one of the leading causes of construction accidents and deaths. The power of this machinery is too much for the human body and the injuries from forklift accidents often involve crushed limbs, falls, catastrophic brain, spine, and internal injuries, and other life-changing injuries. These accidents create additional hardship for accident victims and their families in the form of medical bills which quickly run into the tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Arizona construction accidents are just as deadly and costly. If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed in an Arizona construction accident of any kind, our skilled construction accident attorneys in Phoenix can explain your options and help you receive compensation to offset steep medical bills. To schedule a free consultation with our experienced Arizona construction accident lawyers, call us today at 602.978.6200.

Posted On: May 8, 2009

Crane Collapse Kills 4, Injures 10

A multi-story crane working on a skyscraper under construction broke apart and fell across several buildings resulting in the deaths of 4 people and injuring at least 10 more according to a report. Officials investigating the accident say that the crane was at least 19 stories tall and split into several pieces as it fell, completely demolishing a four-story townhouse and causing significant damage to five other nearby buildings. Emergency response personnel rescued one injured man from the debris of the townhouse four hours after the crane accident occurred.

Details are still sketchy, but the authorities believe that the four people killed in the construction accident were all workers at the construction site for a condominium tower. Those suffering injuries are believed to have lived or worked in the buildings which were damaged. Accident investigators claim that a piece of steel somehow fell and sheared off one of the ties which held the crane to the building which then destabilized the crane, causing it to detach, topple and break into several pieces as it fell.

Residents in the area claim that they contacted the city several times about the construction site, saying that the building seemed to be going up too quickly and those crews were working illegal hours. City officials say that they have issued 13 violations to the construction site over the last 27 months, but claim that given the size and scope of the project, this is not an unusually high figure. Interestingly, the last inspection of the crane apparently took place the day before the fatal construction accident which raises a number of issues in and of itself.

Construction work sites are some of the most dangerous places to work in the country. As this and other recent crane accidents have shown, these types of construction accidents not only endanger the people who work at construction sites but also the people living and working nearby.

If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed in an Arizona crane accident or another type of Arizona construction accident, our experienced Arizona construction accident attorneys may be able to help. After a free initial consultation, we’ll launch an immediate investigation and may be able to help you receive compensation to offset steep medical expenses and other costs. To schedule a consultation with our skilled Arizona construction accident lawyers, call us today at 602.978.6400.

Posted On: May 6, 2009

Airport Construction Accident Claims One Life

An unidentified construction worker working on a road project outside a new terminal at an airport was killed on the job on February 23, 2009, when he was run over by a piece of construction equipment. As reported, the 25-year-old victim was working for the Las Vegas Paving Corporation in a ditch at the construction site when the operator of a Bobcat earth mover lost control of the vehicle.

Too often, people suffer serious injuries at construction sites that are preventable. Often, companies other than the one that employed the injured worker are responsible due to poor oversight. Even worse, sometimes these companies encourage their workers to take safety short cuts on the construction site to increase company profits, taking the risk that someone else will get hurt. Too often, Arizona constructions workers hurt on the job do not find the best, most experienced Arizona construction accident lawyers to help them after an accident, wrongfully assuming that only workers compensation benefits are available. In many cases, there are funds available to help the injured worker or his family in addition to comp benefits.

Authorities have not yet determined why the operator lost control of his vehicle, but said that the incident is under investigation. After the construction accident occurred, the victim was rushed to a nearby hospital but died from his injuries an hour or so after arrival. Randy Walker—the County Director of Aviation—said, "Today's tragedy is an unwanted reminder of the risks which we've previously been able to avoid, and through continued diligence hope will never occur again.”

Machinery accidents on construction sites occur in Arizona and other states causing deaths and injuries which, in many cases, could have been avoided. When someone is killed or severely injured in a construction accident in Phoenix, their life and the lives of family members are changed forever. They’re left with steep medical expenses, loss of income and companionship, and are unsure of their rights and options.

If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed in an Arizona construction accident involving heavy machinery, our skilled Arizona machinery accident attorneys can explain your options, launch an investigation into the accident, and hold any negligent individuals accountable for their actions. Call our experienced Arizona construction accident lawyers today at 602.978.6400 to schedule a free consultation.

Posted On: May 4, 2009

Fall at Work Seriously Injures Man

According to a report, authorities have not released the identity of a man who suffered serious injuries in a work-related construction accident on March 2, 2009. Details are still sketchy and the incident is still under investigation by the State agency that investigates construction injuries.

The man suffered serious injuries when he fell 40 to 50 feet from a building. A company spokeswoman said, "Because it's an active investigation, I probably can't provide you with very much information. Our only official comment is our first priority is with the employee and his family." Elaine Fischer, Labor & Industries spokeswoman, said that the agency sent safety compliance officers to the construction site to investigate, but it typically takes a couple of months before a report is released.

Work-related accidents that involve falls often result in deaths and catastrophic injuries for employees. Frequently, the workers or their families are left with steep medical costs that climb into the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars and create severe financial hardship. Of course, this financial loss is only a small part of the overall, overwhelming devastation caused by reckless workers at constructions sites throughout Arizona and the rest of the country. If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed on a construction site in Arizona, the skilled construction accident attorneys in Arizona at Breyer Law Offices, P.C., may be able to help you.

For many years, the Arizona construction accident lawyers at Breyer Law Offices, P.C., have been helping people injured or killed in accidents receive financial compensation to offset lost wages and other damages not allowed under workers compensation laws. To schedule a free consultation with the experienced Phoenix construction accident lawyers at Breyer Law Offices, P.C., call them today at 602.978.6400.

Posted On: May 1, 2009

Fatal Trench Collapse Leads to Steep Fine

The best Arizona construction accident and injury lawyers are often faced with proving the liability of third parties beyond just the fault of the employer of the injured Arizona construction worker. We see many reports of dangerous construction conditions leading to tragic injuries and wrongful death in construction zones, including the ever-dangerous trench situations.

A recent trench accident that resulted in the construction accident deaths of four workers on September 12, 2008 has led to a fine and citation issued by OSHA for alleged violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act according to this report. During the agency’s investigation, they found that a Construction company had been guilty of three alleged willful and two alleged serious violations of the act in connection with the trench collapse.

Agencies such as OSHA help protect workers from all sorts of construction site accidents including trench collapse accidents but regrettably, many companies still cut corners and put their workers’ lives at risk. Trench collapse accidents can be especially deadly as workers can be suddenly buried under tons of dirt and many suffocate before they can be rescued. These accidents devastate families and in many cases, could have been avoided if the companies had provided adequate protection for their workers. Often times, it is not the employer for the injured worker who was at fault, but a separate employer who was reckless and led to the injury. This “third party” employer can be held responsible.

These types of accidents also occur in Arizona and other states and cause economic hardship for victims’ families. If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed in an Arizona trench collapse accident or another type of Arizona construction accident, the Arizona trench collapse accident attorneys at Breyer Law Offices, P.C., may be able to help. For a free consultation with our experienced Arizona trench collapse accident lawyers, call us today at 602.978.6400.