St. Louis Construction Accident Attorneys

Who Can Be Held Liable on a Construction Site

Construction site liability rarely stops with one party. Depending on the facts, responsible parties may include:

• General contractors — responsible for overall site safety and OSHA compliance
• Subcontractors — responsible for safety within their specific scope of work
• Property owners — who may have created or known about dangerous conditions
• Equipment manufacturers — when defective machinery or tools contribute to an injury
• Architects and engineers — when design flaws create structural hazards
• Safety inspectors — when negligent oversight allows dangerous conditions to persist

Identifying every liable party and the insurance coverage behind each one is one of the most important things an experienced construction accident attorney does. We do not stop at the most obvious target.

Common Construction Accident Injuries 

Construction accidents produce some of the most severe injuries we see. We regularly handle cases involving:

• Falls from scaffolding, ladders, and elevated surfaces
• Being struck by falling objects or equipment
• Machinery and equipment accidents
• Electrocution and electrical burns
• Trench and excavation collapses
• Scaffolding failures
• Exposure to toxic chemicals or materials
• Forklift, crane, and heavy equipment accidents
• Traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage

Many of these injuries are permanent and life-altering. Our in-house Registered Nurse and Speech-Language Pathologist (M.S., CCC-SLP) review medical records immediately, identify long-term care needs, and build lifetime care valuations that capture the true cost of your injury, not just the immediate bills.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Beyond workers' compensation, a third-party construction accident claim in Missouri can include compensation for:

Economic Damages

The following are common types of economic losses we evaluate in a construction claim:

• Full medical expenses, current and future
• Complete loss of wages and lost earning capacity
• Rehabilitation and therapy costs to support your recovery
• Home modification and assistive equipment costs that help you live as independently as possible

Non-Economic Damages

These non-economic harms focus on how your injury changes your day-to-day life:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

The difference between a workers' comp claim alone and a fully developed third-party personal injury claim can be substantial. We make sure nothing is left on the table.

What To Do After a Construction Site Accident

Immediately:

• Seek medical attention right away, even if injuries seem manageable
• Report the incident to your supervisor or employer in writing and keep a copy
• Photograph the accident scene, equipment involved, and your injuries before anything is moved or repaired
• Get contact information from any witnesses
• Do not sign anything from your employer or their insurer before speaking with an attorney

In the Days After:

• Keep all medical records, bills, and correspondence
• Write down everything you remember about how the accident happened while it is fresh
• Contact us as early as possible, as job site evidence, equipment, and safety records can disappear or be altered quickly

How Our Construction Accident Attorney Can Help You

• Evaluate the true value of your claim, which includes medical expenses, lost earnings, and future care needs
• Help you navigate workers’ compensation and potential third-party claims
• Gather and organize medical records and expert testimony
• Negotiate a fair settlement or potentially take your case to trial if necessary

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Sue If I'm Already Receiving Workers' Compensation?

Potentially yes. Workers' comp covers your employer's liability, but it does not prevent you from pursuing a separate personal injury claim against a negligent third party, such as a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner. These are two different claims, and both may be available to you.

What If My Employer Says the Accident Was My Fault?

Blame shifting is common in construction accident cases. Missouri's pure comparative fault rule means your recovery is reduced by your share of fault, but you are not barred from collecting. We investigate thoroughly and build the evidence needed to counter unfair fault assignments.

How Long Do I Have To File a Claim?

For personal injury claims in Missouri, the statute of limitations is generally five years. Workers' compensation claims have shorter deadlines, typically two years. If a government entity or contractor is involved, notice requirements can be as short as 90 days. Contact an attorney promptly so you understand every deadline that applies to your situation.

What If the Construction Company Destroyed or Altered Evidence?

We send preservation letters immediately upon being retained, demanding that employers, contractors, and insurers preserve all relevant records, equipment, and documentation. If evidence has already been altered or destroyed, that itself can be powerful proof of negligence.

What Does It Cost To Hire Meyerkord Law Group?

Nothing upfront. We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.