Portland Construction Accident Lawyers
Aggressive representation when construction accidents harm workers in Oregon
Nearly half of Oregon’s population lives in the Portland metro region. To accommodate all these people, there’s a constant stream of construction projects including new roads, new buildings, and new attractions – along with numerous maintenance projects. At Philbrook Law, our lawyers hold everyone involved in construction projects accountable for the injuries they cause.
Our Portland construction lawyers file personal injury and wrongful death claims when the owners of the projects and the contractors/subcontractors who do the work fail to protect drivers, pedestrians, and contractors. We’ve been fighting for accident victims for 20 years. We’re ready to fight for you today.
How can we help?
- What different types of construction accidents do you handle in Portland, OR?
- What types of claims can be filed when construction accidents happen in Oregon?
- Who is responsible if I’m in a construction accident in Portland, OR?
- What laws regulate construction in Portland, OR?
- Do you have a Portland construction accident lawyer near me?
What different types of construction accidents do you handle in Portland, OR?
At Philbrook Law, we handle all types of construction accidents – primarily roadway construction accidents and building construction accidents. We represent anyone injured while driving or walking near a construction site. We also represent independent contractors when anyone, including their employer, is negligent.
In some cases, we also represent employees when the employees have a claim against a third party such as a careless driver who disobeyed detour signs or a manufacturer whose defective product caused an accident.
Our Portland construction accident lawyers handle the following types of construction accidents:
- Vehicle accidents. We represent:
- Workers if a construction worker is injured or killed while working at a roadside site if a driver failed to follow detour sides, was speeding or distracted, or caused a construction accident for any reason.
- Drivers and passengers who are injured or killed because the construction site failed to properly direct the traffic around the site. Construction sites should have detour signs, workers who can direct drivers away from the construction site, barricades, and other obstacles to make clear where drivers can and cannot drive, and take other driver safety precautions.
- Slip and fall accidents. Workers and pedestrians are in constant danger of work debris, unlevel surfaces, loose cables, wet surfaces, and other causes.
- Falls from heights. Construction workers regularly use ladders, scaffolds, cranes, and other machines and equipment that lift them high off the ground. Construction workers who work on roofs, upper floors of buildings, high on tree branches, and off the ground for any reason can die or suffer severe injuries if they fall.
- Being caught in between objects. Construction workers can be pinned, trapped, or crushed by equipment, machines, and workplace materials. Construction owners should take preventive steps to prevent these types of construction accidents.
- Being struck by an object. Workers on the ground or at lower levels can be struck by falling objects from scaffolds, cranes, roofs, and other high places.
- Machinery accidents. Workers should be taught how to keep cranes from tipping and how to ensure forklifts are properly used. Scaffold collapses are often fatal.
- Electrical accidents. Many workers use electrical tools and work near power lines, generators, and construction wires. Electrical accidents can cause shock, electrical burns, and death.
- Fires and gas leaks. Fires can cause third-degree burns and smoke inhalation. Gas explosions can cause respiratory disorders and asphyxiation. Both fires and gas leaks may be deadly.
- Explosions. These construction accidents can cause traumatic amputations, hearing loss, vision loss, broken bones, and other catastrophic and permanent harm.
- Hazardous materials. Toxins and dangerous chemicals can cause breathing disorders and skin disorders. Construction companies should take steps to minimize the use of hazardous products and protect workers when hazardous materials are used.
- Repetitive stress injuries. Many construction workers, like workers who work with jackhammers, perform the same tasks every day. Repetitive stress injuries can cause bursitis, carpal tunnel damage, and other injuries that can cause chronic and permanent pain.
Other types of construction accidents include exposure to hot and cold weather, demolition accidents, and overexertion accidents.
What types of claims can be filed when construction accidents happen in Oregon?
If you are injured at a construction site in Portland, Philbrook Law files the following types of claims:
- Personal injury. Anyone injured at a construction site and not an employee can file a personal injury claim. Even employees can file personal injury claims against third parties. Third parties include manufacturers of defective products and businesses that are not your employer.
- Product liability. Everyone, including employees, can file a product liability claim against the manufacturers of defective equipment, machinery, and tools. Our Portland construction accident lawyers are skilled at showing that the product that caused your injuries was improperly designed, improperly constructed, or that the instructions on using products were unclear or failed to contain proper warnings.
- Wrongful death. Philbrook Law also represents family when a loved one who would have had the right to file a personal injury or product liability claim had they survived, dies in a Portland construction accident.
Whatever type of claim you have, we demand compensation for all your financial and personal damages.
Who is responsible if I’m in a construction accident in Portland?
Our lawyers are skilled at holding everyone responsible for your construction accident accountable. Often, more than one defendant is liable. Our Portland construction accident lawyers file claims, depending on how the accident happened, against one or more of the following:
- The owner of the construction site. The owners must comply with federal, Oregon, Multnomah County, and Portland laws and regulations. The owners must also comply with construction industry standards.
- Contractors and subcontractors. General contractors, electrical contractors, plumbing contractors, landscape contractors, roadway maintenance contractors, and other contractors control the work that is done at the construction site.
- Architects and engineers. Building construction companies regularly employ architects and engineers to design and supervise the construction. These professionals can be held accountable if they fail to protect you.
- The business involved in making and selling defective products. Any company involved in manufacturing, distributing, and selling defective construction machines, equipment, and tools can be held liable if their defective products cause harm.
We also file claims against the Oregon Department of Transportation and other governmental agencies and entities if the design and maintenance of their construction site is negligent.
We also review the following construction safety issues:
- The staffing levels of each contractor
- The experience of the workers
- When and how often the machines, equipment, and tools were inspected
- What educational steps were taken to ensure the construction work is done safely
- What safety protocols were in place
- Many other construction safety issues
What laws regulate construction in Portland, OR?
Our Portland construction accident lawyers understand what laws govern construction work in and around Portland. Violations of these laws can support your construction accident claim. These laws include:
- OSHA rules and regulations that regulate many aspects of construction work including the proper ways to perform the work and the proper ways to protect the workers.
- The Oregon Safe Employment Act (OSEA) “requires employers to know the requirements that apply to their industry. It obligates employers to educate and train their workers. And it requires employers to comply with specific rules that apply to their workplace.”
- Oregon and local building codes govern what materials should be used and what standards must be followed to ensure the work is performed safely and the final product (road, building, or any other construction project) is safe for use.
In addition, we review the specific contracts that determine which businesses are responsible for which part of a construction project.
Do you have a Portland construction accident lawyer near me?
Philbrook Law meets construction accident victims and families at our Portland, Oregon office located at 107 SE Washington St. Suite 520. If your construction injuries prevent you from going to our office, our lawyers will meet you at your home or a healthcare facility. We also speak with clients by phone and through video discussions.
We’ll explain your rights, answer your questions, and guide you through this difficult time.
Talk with our respected Portland construction accident lawyers now
Please contact us as quickly as possible. We need to investigate the construction site before major changes are made so we can determine what caused your injuries. At Philbrook Law, we’ll also work to ensure you are seeing the doctors who can best help you. To schedule a free consultation at one of our offices in Portland, Vancouver, WA, or Battle Ground, WA, please call us or complete our contact form.