Construction in Phoenix and the Risks Involved
Phoenix is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. With this growth comes an expanding construction industry that builds new housing developments, commercial properties, and infrastructure. Yet while construction fuels the city’s progress, it also exposes construction workers to significant dangers.
Every year, construction site accidents result in serious injuries, lost wages, and long-term medical needs for workers and their families. If you or a family member has been injured in a construction accident, consider consulting with an experienced Phoenix personal injury attorney.
The Dangers of Construction Work in Phoenix
Elevated Risks in a Growing City
As new projects rise across Phoenix, construction workers face daily exposure to heavy machinery, power tools, and elevated structures. These hazards make construction work one of the most dangerous occupations according to national labor statistics.
A Common Occurrence: Accidents on the Job
Despite safety precautions and oversight by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, construction site accidents remain a common occurrence. Injuries sustained at these sites often lead to long recoveries, financial burdens, and legal disputes about liability.
Common Types of Construction Accidents
Falls from Heights
Working on scaffolding, ladders, or rooftops exposes workers to falls, which are among the most common construction site accidents. These falls can result in broken bones, head injuries, or even wrongful death.
Heavy Machinery Accidents
Cranes, forklifts, and other heavy machinery are essential on construction sites. But heavy machinery accidents caused by improper training, faulty equipment, or operator error can leave injured construction workers facing catastrophic injuries.
Falling Objects and Unsafe Worksites
Loose tools, debris, and materials on elevated structures pose risks of falling objects striking workers below. Inadequate safety precautions or failure to secure loads can make accidents occur more frequently.
Exposure to Toxic Chemicals
Construction jobs often involve toxic chemicals like solvents or asbestos. Prolonged exposure without proper training or protective gear can lead to respiratory illnesses and long-term medical complications.
Construction Accident Statistics in Arizona and Nationwide
The National Perspective
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) – Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries reports that in 2022, the construction industry accounted for nearly one in five workplace fatalities across the United States. Falls, struck-by incidents, electrocutions, and caught-in/between accidents, often called the “Fatal Four”, were responsible for the majority of construction-related deaths.
Safety Oversight and OSHA Data
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identifies construction as one of the most hazardous industries in the nation. OSHA’s data shows that falls from heights remain the leading cause of death among construction workers, followed by accidents involving heavy machinery, unsafe scaffolding, and electrical hazards.
Arizona Construction Accident Trends
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) – Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts also highlights risks tied to roadway construction sites. Work zone crashes in Arizona resulted in hundreds of injuries in 2022, with Maricopa County experiencing the highest number of work zone collisions. These incidents often involve construction crews struck by passenger vehicles traveling through or near construction zones.
The Greater Risk for Phoenix Construction Workers
With Phoenix experiencing rapid development, construction workers face elevated risks compared to many other professions. The combination of high temperatures, busy urban worksites, and constant traffic increases the chance of construction site accidents, placing workers at greater risk of serious injury or death.
Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Liability
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Under Arizona workers compensation laws, most construction companies must carry workers compensation insurance to protect workers. These policies provide medical benefits, death benefits for surviving families, and partial wage replacement for injured construction workers.
Limitations of Workers’ Compensation
While workers compensation benefits cover basic expenses, they may not fully address medical bills, lost wages, or future medical expenses when a worker suffers a serious injury.
Third-Party Claims for Construction Injuries
Sometimes a negligent party outside of the employer, such as a property owner, general contractor, subcontractor, or equipment manufacturer, may be held accountable. In such cases, a third party claim or personal injury lawsuit allows victims to seek compensation beyond workers’ comp.
How Harris Injury Law Helps Construction Accident Victims
Recovering Compensation for Medical Bills and Lost Wages
The team at Harris Injury Law understands how devastating construction injuries can be. From medical expenses to time away from work, our attorneys guide clients through the claims process and help them understand options for pursuing compensation available under Arizona law.
Support for Long-Term Care and Future Needs
Some injuries sustained on construction sites, such as spinal cord injuries, amputations, or traumatic brain injuries, require extensive medical treatment and ongoing care. Harris Injury Law helps clients evaluate and include future medical expenses when building their personal injury claims.
Standing Up to Negligent Parties
When subcontractor’s negligence, a faulty equipment manufacturer, or another responsible party contributes to a workplace accident, Harris Injury Law investigates thoroughly. Our attorneys work to identify potentially responsible parties and pursue appropriate legal action when supported by the facts and law.
Jason Harris’s Experience and Client-First Approach
Experienced Attorney with Knowledge in Personal Injury Law
As an experienced attorney in personal injury law, Jason Harris has represented many clients in complex personal injury matters. His legal knowledge extends to construction accident cases, where multiple parties and insurance carriers may be involved.
Personal Attention from Start to Finish
Unlike larger firms where clients may rarely interact with their lawyer, Harris Injury Law provides direct access to experienced lawyers. Jason Harris works personally with each client to ensure that injured workers feel supported throughout the entire process.
Advocating for Fair Compensation
Whether through workers compensation, a third party claim, or a personal injury lawsuit, Harris Injury Law advocates for fair compensation for construction accident victims. This includes medical benefits, replacement of lost wages, and damages for pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
Why Injured Construction Workers Need Legal Representation
Complex Legal Cases Require Knowledge
Construction site accidents often involve multiple parties, overlapping insurance policies, and complicated workers compensation laws. Only an experienced attorney can navigate these complexities to work to pursue the best possible outcome given the facts and applicable law.
Protecting Workers and Preventing Future Accidents
By pursuing claims, injured construction workers not only seek compensation but also help prevent construction accidents in the future. Holding a negligent party or construction companies accountable encourages stronger safety precautions and proper training across the industry.
Harris Injury Law Protects Phoenix Construction Workers
Construction injuries are not just statistics, they are life-changing events that affect families, careers, and futures. At Harris Injury Law, we stand with injured construction workers across Phoenix by offering legal guidance, personal attention, and the commitment to help you pursue the compensation available under Arizona law.
Injured on a Phoenix construction site? Call Harris Injury Law today at (480) 800-HURT to schedule a free consultation and let our attorneys guide you through your legal options. Whether your case involves workers compensation benefits or a third party claim, we are here to protect your rights and pursue the fair compensation Arizona law allows.
