Did you or a loved one suffer injuries in a construction accident in Kansas City, MO? Dickerson Oxton experienced Kansas City construction accident lawyers can help you learn about your legal rights and options. Contact our office at (816) 268 1960 to schedule a free consultation today.
Recovering fair compensation can be one of the most important things you do. Between us, our lawyers have decades of experience standing up for injury victims. We’ve used our experience and skill to recover millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. Our lawyers can help you fight for full and fair compensation under Missouri workers’ compensation and personal injury laws.
How Can Dickerson Oxton Help After Suffering Construction Accident Injuries in Kansas City?
Construction injuries can derail your life in more ways than one. Often, you can’t work when you need money for medical bills. Workers’ compensation doesn’t always cover everything–and the system isn’t always fair.
If you don’t know where to turn for help, call our Kansas City personal injury lawyers at Dickerson Oxton.
By hiring our personal injury law firm to handle your case, you’ll gain a team of lawyers to:
- Determine who caused your injuries
- Identify all legal theories that apply in your case and whether you can file a lawsuit for additional compensation
- Investigate and gather critical evidence to support your injury claim
- Help you file your workers’ compensation claim
- Defend you if your claim is denied
- Take action if your employer is pressuring you to return to work too soon
- Assess your case value and fight for the benefits you deserve
- Negotiate to recover a full settlement
- Represent you in court and at any workers’ comp hearings
The process for recovering compensation can be difficult. Contact our Kansas City personal injury attorneys to get more information about the benefits of legal representation.
How Common Are Construction Injuries in Missouri?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 55,900 non-fatal work-related injuries were reported statewide in 2022. Of that total, 3,500 of those injuries occurred in the construction industry.
Another 121 fatal workplace injuries were reported statewide that year. Overall, 19 of those fatalities were suffered by workers in the construction and extraction occupations.
It’s no secret that the construction industry can be dangerous. At Dickerson Oxton, we handle all types of construction injury cases, including those involving:
- Scaffolding fall accidents
- Car accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Falls from roofs and ladders
- Electrocution and electric shock
- Accidents where a worker is caught between two objects
- Accidents where a worker is crushed by a falling object
- Building collapses
- Truck accidents
- Crane, forklift, and other accidents involving heavy machinery
- Nail gun accidents
- Welding accidents
- Dangerous or defective work equipment
- Fires and explosions
If you or a loved one were hurt while working in construction, call our law firm in Kansas City today. We offer free case reviews to explain your legal options.
How Do I Get Compensation After a Construction Site Injury in Kansas City?
Most injured construction workers start by filing a workers’ compensation claim. Nearly every construction employer in Missouri must carry workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ comp provides important financial assistance while you’re unable to work.
Some injured workers are also able to file a personal injury lawsuit. Workers’ compensation laws generally prevent you from suing your employer for damages. However, if a third party was at least partly responsible for your injuries, you can sue that third party for damages.
How Do I Know How Much Compensation I Deserve for My Construction Accident Injuries?
The value of your case will depend on a few different factors, including:
- The severity of your injuries
- Your medical treatment costs, which should be covered by workers’ comp
- Your weekly wages prior to the injury
- Whether your disability is temporary or permanent
- The nature of your injury
- The length of your recovery
- Whether you can work in some capacity during recovery
- Whether you will ever be able to return to work in any capacity
- The identity of the at-fault party
Your weekly workers’ compensation benefit check will cover about ⅔ of your average weekly wages prior to the injury. However, a statewide cap also limits the amount of benefits you can receive. In 2024, your weekly workers’ compensation check is capped at $1,186.51, regardless of your prior earnings.
The most severe injuries tend to result in higher workers’ compensation benefits. Your case value may also be higher if you can sue a third party for damages outside of what workers’ comp covers.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Construction Accident Victims in Missouri?
Our lawyers at Dickerson Oxton are here to help you maximize your financial recovery. We’ll help you identify the types of damages you should be receiving. Those damages will depend on the laws that apply in your case.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Missouri
Workers’ compensation provides benefits to cover some of your financial losses, including:
- Reasonable and necessary medical expenses
- Temporary total disability benefits (TTD) if your injury totally prevents you from working during recovery
- Temporary partial disability benefits (TPD) if you can perform light-duty work while you recover
- Permanent partial disability benefits (PPD) if your disability permanently reduces your earning capacity
- Permanent total disability benefits (PTD) if you’re never able to return to work
- Benefits for exposure to toxic substances at work
In fatal injury cases, death benefits are also available for survivors of fatal construction accident victims.
Personal Injury Lawsuits in Missouri
When you’re eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit, you can seek compensation for both your financial and non-financial losses. These are referred to as economic and non-economic damages, respectively.
Examples of the types of compensation you may recover if your case succeeds include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- The full amount of your lost wages
- Lost employee benefits
- Lost future earning potential
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
If you suspect that someone other than your employer caused your injuries, it’s important to have an attorney review your case. The additional damages you could recover by filing a lawsuit can make a huge difference, especially if you were seriously injured.
What Does It Cost To Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Missouri?
When you hire our team, you’ll agree to pay a percentage of the compensation we recover in your case. Because all cases are different, that percentage can vary depending on the facts.
However, with this contingency fee arrangement, you’ll never have to worry about upfront costs or paying legal bills if we don’t win. We are also incentivized to recover as much money for you as we can under this structure.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Construction Accident in Missouri?
Yes. Workers’ compensation in Missouri is a no-fault system. With limited exceptions, you can recover damages even if the accident was your fault.
In personal injury cases, your compensation will be reduced if you share some blame for your injuries. Under Missouri law, you won’t lose your right to compensation entirely unless you were fully responsible.
Common Construction Accident Injuries in Kansas City
Construction sites can be extremely dangerous.
Workers are vulnerable to all types of injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Hearing loss
- Eye injuries
- Burns
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
If you or a family member were injured on the job, call our team to arrange a free case evaluation today. Remember, you don’t have to wait until your injuries are completely healed to take legal action. In fact, the sooner you talk to a lawyer, the better.
What Causes Most Construction Accidents in Kansas City?
Like any other type of accident, most construction accidents happen because someone was careless.
Some of the most common causes of construction site injuries include:
- Lack of proper fall protection
- Dangerous property conditions
- Failure to properly train or supervise employees
- Failure to regularly inspect equipment and tools
- Missing safety protection
- Communication failures
- Defective work equipment
- Improperly installed scaffolding
- Ignoring state and OSHA safety regulations
- Exposure to toxic substances
- Improper crane installation
- Exposure to live electricity
When people cut corners, others are likely to get hurt. Our lawyers in Kansas City will help you determine why your injuries happened. Once we know why you were injured, we’ll be able to identify the responsible parties.
How Long Do I Have To File a Claim for Compensation After a Construction Accident in Missouri?
Under Missouri workers’ compensation laws, you must notify your employer within 30 days of an injury. If you miss the deadline, you jeopardize your right to receive workers’ compensation.
There is a five-year statute of limitations in personal injury cases. Once five years pass, you forfeit your right to sue a negligent third party for damages.
There are limited exceptions that can adjust these time limits, however, so it is best to contact an attorney as soon as you can for help.
Call a Leading Kansas City Construction Accident Lawyer for a Free Initial Consultation
You deserve to understand your legal options if you were injured on the job. Our Kansas City construction accident lawyer is always available to discuss your case. Contact Dickerson Oxton today to learn more about how we can help with your case.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Kansas City, MO
Dickerson Oxton – Kansas City Office
1100 Main St #2550, Kansas City, MO 64105, United States
(816) 268-1960