When Defective Products Cause Construction Accidents
Construction workers rely on a wide range of equipment to do their jobs and complete builds. When equipment is defective, either in design or from manufacturing, it can lead to construction accidents with significant injuries.
Construction accidents and defective products can cause serious injuries to workers in Scranton, Stroudsburg, Wilkes-Barre, PA, and surrounding areas. The attorneys of Foley Law Firm help accident victims recover compensation for their injuries and can help you if you’ve been injured in a construction accident.
Product Defects Increase the Danger of Construction Equipment
Construction workers often work with equipment that can be dangerous when used without proper safety precautions and skill. But even with proper training and safety measures, product defects in construction equipment can make them more dangerous, potentially causing serious injuries.
Some examples of equipment that can cause serious injuries when product defects are present include:
- Band saws and cutting tools
- Excavators, tower cranes, bulldozers, and other construction vehicles
- Ladders and scaffolding
- Nail guns, jackhammers, and other tools
- Fall prevention and safety equipment
Construction Sites and Types of Product Defects
Product defects can happen for a number of reasons. Sometimes the defect may be with the design of a product or the defect may be in how the product was manufactured. Defects can also occur when equipment is not properly maintained or repaired.
Some types of product defects seen on construction site equipment include:
- Design flaws that make operating equipment unsafe
- Loose screws or bolts
- Low-quality materials
- Missing pieces, such as bolts
- Inadequate or missing warning labels
- Missing or inadequate safety guards
Who Is Liable for Defective Product Accidents?
Determining liability is essential when seeking damages for an accident caused by a product defect. Liability depends on the cause of the defect and may fall on:
- The manufacturer: If construction equipment causes an accident due to a product defect in the manufacturing process, then they may be held liable for damages.
- The distributor: If a distributor is alerted of a product defect but continues to supply the item, they may be liable for injuries and damages resulting from a product defect accident.
- The employer: Employers who fail to remove known defective products from the construction site may be liable if an accident occurs.
Seeking Damages
Seeking damages for injuries caused by defective construction equipment can be complicated, which is why it’s beneficial to speak with a construction accident attorney. An attorney can help determine if a product defect caused the accident as well as gather evidence to support a product defect claim.
If a product defect is to blame for an accident, it may be possible to recover financial compensation for such damages as:
- Hospital bills
- Physical therapy and other medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
Schedule a Consultation
If you’ve been injured in a construction accident and believe it may have been caused by a defective product, it’s important to speak with a construction accident lawyer. To schedule a consultation at the Foley Law Firm, please call us at (570) 342-8194.