Asheville NC Construction Accident Lawyers

Construction Accident Risks on Asheville Job Sites

Buncombe County’s construction boom has created job opportunities, but it has also increased the number of hazards workers face daily. Asheville’s unique mix of mountain terrain, growing infrastructure, and historic redevelopment adds to the risks.

High-Rise and Commercial Building Projects

The growth of Asheville’s downtown and surrounding business districts has led to high-rise and large-scale commercial construction. Workers on scaffolding or steel frames face dangers from falls, falling materials, and unstable platforms. Even with safety equipment, accidents at these heights often lead to catastrophic injuries.

Road and Bridge Construction

Ongoing work on interstates, local roads, and bridges throughout the region exposes workers to additional risks. These sites combine heavy machinery, uneven terrain, and traffic passing within feet of workers. Collisions with passing vehicles or equipment malfunctions in tight spaces can result in devastating injuries.

Industrial and Manufacturing Worksites

Asheville’s economy includes a growing number of industrial facilities and manufacturing plants. Construction projects in these settings may involve welding, electrical systems, or chemical exposure. Workers often face hazardous environments where small mistakes or safety oversights can lead to fires, explosions, or toxic exposure.

Residential Housing Developments

The city’s population growth has fueled demand for residential construction across Buncombe County. From single-family homes to large apartment complexes, these projects carry familiar dangers. Inadequate supervision, poorly secured ladders, or improperly stored equipment can create conditions where serious accidents occur.

Common Causes of Serious Construction Injuries in Western North Carolina

Construction work is inherently dangerous, but many accidents are preventable. The most frequent causes of injury on Asheville job sites are tied to overlooked safety standards, rushed timelines, or negligent practices.

Falls From Heights

Falls are the leading cause of construction-related injuries nationwide. In Asheville, workers often climb scaffolding, ladders, or unfinished frameworks. Missing guardrails, defective equipment, or lack of fall protection can turn an ordinary task into a life-altering accident.

Struck-By Equipment or Falling Objects

Heavy equipment, cranes, and power tools are common on job sites. Workers may be struck by swinging loads, dropped tools, or moving machinery. Even when helmets are worn, the force of these impacts can cause severe head trauma or fractures.

Electrocution

Live wires, unfinished electrical systems, and power tools create constant risk. Electrocution accidents can result in severe burns, heart complications, or permanent nerve damage. These incidents often occur when safety procedures are ignored or wiring is left exposed.

Caught-In or Between Machinery

Construction sites often feature powerful equipment such as bulldozers, cranes, and forklifts. Workers can be caught in moving parts, pinned between vehicles, or trapped by collapsing structures. These accidents are frequently fatal or result in amputations and crush injuries.

Unsafe Scaffolding or Ladders

Improperly assembled scaffolding and unstable ladders are common hazards. Workers depending on this equipment for access to upper levels may be put at risk when contractors fail to follow safety standards. Defective materials or poor supervision often play a role in these cases.

Injuries Commonly Seen in Asheville Construction Accidents

The injuries caused by construction accidents are often severe, requiring long-term medical care and sometimes permanent lifestyle changes. Victims face both physical and emotional challenges that extend far beyond the accident itself.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Head injuries from falls or falling objects can lead to concussions, brain swelling, or permanent cognitive damage. Victims may struggle with memory, concentration, or personality changes, and many require ongoing rehabilitation. These injuries often prevent individuals from returning to their prior line of work, and they may create lifelong dependence on medical treatment and therapy. Families also face the challenge of adjusting to the behavioral or cognitive changes that accompany these injuries.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

Falls, machinery accidents, or struck-by incidents can damage the spinal cord. These injuries may result in partial or complete paralysis, altering victims’ independence and requiring lifelong medical support. Victims often need specialized equipment such as wheelchairs, accessible housing modifications, and ongoing therapy. The cost of care for spinal cord injuries is extraordinarily high, and without full financial recovery, families can be overwhelmed by these expenses.

Broken Bones and Fractures

Fractures are common after falls or equipment-related accidents. While some heal with treatment, severe breaks may require multiple surgeries and can limit mobility for the rest of a worker’s life. Complications such as infections, nerve damage, or improperly healed fractures can prolong recovery and reduce physical function. Even when mobility is restored, chronic pain and reduced strength may prevent workers from returning to physically demanding construction jobs.

Severe Burns and Electrocution Injuries

Exposure to live wires, welding accidents, or chemical burns can leave victims with lasting scars and nerve damage. These injuries often require skin grafts, surgeries, and extended hospitalizations. Severe burns can also cause lasting psychological harm due to disfigurement, impacting a victim’s self-esteem and social relationships. Electrocution injuries may result in heart complications, neurological issues, or permanent organ damage, leaving workers with a wide range of long-term medical needs.

Amputations and Crush Injuries

Heavy machinery accidents or collapsing structures can result in amputations or severe crush injuries. These conditions not only require emergency treatment but also long-term prosthetics, therapy, and significant lifestyle changes. Victims often face emotional trauma in addition to physical loss, as they must adjust to permanent disability and changes in independence. Prosthetics and rehabilitation programs can help restore function, but the costs are substantial and ongoing.

Who Can Be Held Liable After a Construction Accident in Asheville

Liability in construction accidents is often complex, involving multiple parties and overlapping responsibilities. Identifying every responsible party is critical to maximizing recovery.

Employers and Contractors

Employers and general contractors are responsible for maintaining safe job sites. If they fail to enforce safety protocols, provide protective equipment, or train workers adequately, they may be held liable for resulting injuries.

Subcontractors and Site Supervisors

Subcontractors hired for specific tasks must follow the same safety standards as general contractors. Site supervisors are expected to oversee compliance. When they cut corners or fail to correct hazards, they may share responsibility for accidents.

Equipment Manufacturers

Defective machinery, tools, or safety gear can cause catastrophic harm. In these cases, manufacturers or distributors may be held accountable under product liability law. Claims against these parties often require technical experts to evaluate the equipment.

Property Owners

When construction takes place on private property, the owner may be responsible for maintaining safe conditions. Hazards such as unsafe structures, hidden dangers, or poor lighting can create liability for owners who fail to warn or protect workers.

Third-Party Drivers or Vendors

Construction sites often involve deliveries and supply runs. Drivers entering job sites or vendors delivering materials can contribute to accidents if they act carelessly. In these situations, liability may extend to the third party and their employer.

Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Lawsuits in NC Construction Cases

When a construction worker is injured on the job, workers’ compensation is often the first avenue of recovery. However, in many cases, workers may also have the right to pursue a third-party lawsuit, which can significantly expand the compensation available. Understanding the difference between these options is crucial.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Workers’ compensation provides injured employees with certain guaranteed benefits regardless of fault. These benefits typically cover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages. In Asheville, as in the rest of North Carolina, workers’ compensation is intended to offer quick relief without requiring workers to prove negligence.

Limitations of Workers’ Comp Coverage

Despite its benefits, workers’ compensation has clear limitations. It does not cover full lost income, pain and suffering, or other non-economic damages. For catastrophic injuries that permanently alter a worker’s life, these limitations often leave families struggling to meet ongoing expenses.

Third-Party Lawsuits for Additional Damages

If someone other than the employer contributed to the accident, such as a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner, a third-party lawsuit may be filed. These lawsuits allow victims to pursue damages not available under workers’ compensation, such as full wage replacement, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Coordinating Claims to Maximize Recovery

Many cases involve both workers’ compensation and third-party claims. An experienced attorney can coordinate these claims to ensure victims receive the maximum compensation available without jeopardizing one case in pursuit of the other.