Representing Injured Construction Workers in St. Louis, Columbia, St. Charles, and Throughout Missouri

Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in America, and Missouri’s construction workers pay a disproportionate share of that price. When a fall from scaffolding, a trench collapse, a crane failure, or a defective piece of equipment puts you in a hospital bed, the financial and legal situation you face is complicated in ways that most personal injury cases are not. Multiple parties may be involved. Workers’ compensation may cover only part of what you are owed. And the clock on preserving critical evidence starts the moment the accident happens.

Strong Law, P.C. has been fighting for seriously injured workers in St. Louis and throughout Missouri since 1976. With more than $7 billion recovered and 7 nationally acclaimed trial lawyers, we have the resources and the record to pursue every dollar a construction accident victim deserves, from workers’ compensation benefits to third-party personal injury claims against contractors, equipment manufacturers, and property owners. Call (314) 940-8300 for a free consultation. No fee unless we win.

FREE CASE REVIEW | (314) 940-8300 | injury@stronglaw.com | No Fee Unless We Win

Why Strong Law, P.C. for Your Construction Accident Case

Construction accident cases are legally complex in ways that standard personal injury cases are not. Identifying every liable party, understanding the interplay between workers’ compensation and third-party claims, and building a case that withstands challenges from multiple insurers and defense teams requires experience, resources, and the willingness to go to trial.

Strong Law brings all of that to every construction accident case we take.

OUR CREDENTIALS

• Founded in 1976 with over 45 years of proven results for Missouri injury victims
• $7+ billion in verdicts and settlements recovered
• 7 nationally acclaimed trial lawyers
• 99% positive client review rate
• Named to the Inner Circle of Advocates
• Recognized by Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent, Super Lawyers (Top 10 in Missouri), Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year (Best Lawyers), and US News Best Law Firms
• St. Louis office at 5100 Daggett Ave STE B, serving St. Louis, Columbia, and St. Charles

Construction Accidents in St. Louis: The Legal Landscape

St. Louis is one of Missouri’s most active construction markets. Major infrastructure projects, downtown redevelopment, commercial development along I-270 and Highway 40, residential growth in St. Louis County, and ongoing maintenance and renovation work throughout the metro area mean that thousands of construction workers are on job sites across the region every day.

Construction is consistently one of the most dangerous industries in the country. OSHA identifies four categories of hazards that account for the majority of construction fatalities nationwide, which it calls the Fatal Four: falls, being struck by objects, electrocution, and caught-in or caught-between incidents. Together these four categories account for more than half of all construction worker deaths annually.

When a St. Louis construction worker is seriously injured, the path to full compensation is rarely straightforward. The job site typically involves a general contractor, multiple subcontractors, equipment rental companies, and a property owner, all with their own insurance policies and their own lawyers. Figuring out who is responsible, and pursuing all of them, is exactly what Strong Law does.

Common Construction Accidents We Handle in St. Louis

Falls from Heights

Falls are the leading cause of construction fatalities in the United States, accounting for roughly a third of all construction worker deaths annually. Scaffolding collapses, falls from ladders, unprotected roof edges, unguarded floor openings, and failures of fall arrest systems all contribute to severe fall injuries. Under OSHA’s fall protection standards (29 CFR 1926 Subpart M), general contractors and employers have specific obligations to provide adequate fall protection at heights of six feet or more in the construction industry. Violations of these standards are powerful evidence of negligence.

Scaffolding Failures and Collapses

Scaffolding must be erected, maintained, and inspected in accordance with OSHA standards at 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L. When scaffolding collapses due to improper erection, overloading, defective components, or lack of inspection, the workers on it and below it face catastrophic fall and crush injuries. Both the contractor responsible for scaffolding and the scaffolding manufacturer may bear liability.

Trench Cave-Ins and Excavation Accidents

Trench collapse is one of the most rapidly fatal types of construction accidents. OSHA’s excavation standards at 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P require protective systems including sloping, shoring, and trench boxes for excavations deeper than five feet. A cubic yard of soil weighs approximately 3,000 pounds. Workers trapped in a trench collapse have seconds, not minutes. When a contractor fails to implement required trench protection, those failures create personal liability beyond workers’ compensation.

Crane Accidents and Rigging Failures

Cranes and hoisting equipment are among the most complex and dangerous pieces of equipment on any job site. Crane tip-overs, boom collapses, rigging failures that drop loads onto workers, and contact with energized power lines all produce catastrophic injuries and fatalities. Crane operators, rigging specialists, site supervisors, and crane manufacturers may all share liability depending on the cause of the accident.

Electrocution and Electrical Accidents

Electrocution is OSHA’s second leading cause of construction fatalities. Contact with overhead power lines, failure to lockout/tagout energized equipment, improperly wired temporary electrical systems, and use of damaged extension cords and power tools are all documented causes of serious electrical injuries on Missouri construction sites. When a utility company fails to de-energize lines when requested, or when a subcontractor creates an electrical hazard that injures another trade’s workers, third-party liability exists alongside any workers’ compensation claim.

Struck by Object Accidents

Workers on multi-story job sites face constant risk from falling tools, materials, and equipment dropped or dislodged from above. Swinging crane loads, backing construction vehicles, and unsecured materials on elevated surfaces all create serious struck-by hazards. OSHA requires overhead protection for workers in areas where falling objects pose a risk, and failures to provide it create liability.

Caught-In and Caught-Between Accidents

Caught-in accidents involve workers being caught, crushed, squeezed, or compressed by machinery, vehicles, or collapsing structures. Excavation collapses, being caught between a vehicle and a fixed object, and entanglement in unguarded machinery are all examples. These accidents frequently produce catastrophic crush injuries, traumatic amputations, and death.

Defective Equipment and Power Tools

Defective construction equipment, whether a faulty circular saw, a crane with a compromised hydraulic system, a defective aerial work platform, or a skid steer with inadequate protective structures, can produce catastrophic injuries even when the operator does everything correctly. When equipment defects contribute to a construction accident, the manufacturer faces product liability claims in addition to any negligence claims against the contractor.

Fires, Explosions, and Chemical Exposure

Construction sites involving welding, cutting, and hazardous materials present risks of fires and explosions. Workers may also face exposure to silica dust, asbestos in renovation projects, lead paint, and other toxic substances that cause serious long-term health consequences. These cases may involve claims against general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, and chemical manufacturers.

Building and Structural Collapses

Structural failures during construction, whether a concrete form blowout, a floor collapse, or an unstable excavation wall, can trap and kill multiple workers simultaneously. These cases typically involve extensive investigation into structural design, site supervision, and safety management practices.

Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Claims: The Most Important Distinction in Construction Accident Law

This is the issue that most directly affects how much compensation an injured construction worker actually recovers, and it is the issue that separates attorneys who handle construction cases well from those who do not.

What Workers’ Compensation Covers

Missouri workers’ compensation provides coverage for medical expenses and a portion of lost wages when an employee is injured on the job. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, meaning you do not have to prove your employer was negligent to receive benefits. However, workers’ compensation has significant limitations. It does not compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, or the full value of lost earning capacity. And in Missouri, accepting workers’ compensation generally bars a negligence lawsuit against your direct employer.

Why Third-Party Claims Are Often Worth Far More

The key insight in most serious construction accident cases is this: your employer is rarely the only party responsible for your injury. Construction sites involve general contractors, subcontractors from multiple trades, equipment manufacturers, property owners, architects, engineers, and project managers. In Missouri, workers’ compensation does not bar personal injury claims against third parties who are not your direct employer.

A third-party personal injury lawsuit can recover everything workers’ compensation cannot: full pain and suffering, full compensation for lost earning capacity, loss of consortium, and in appropriate cases, punitive damages. The difference between a workers’ compensation-only recovery and a combined workers’ comp and third-party recovery can be enormous, often the difference between a settlement that covers your immediate bills and one that fully compensates you for a life-altering injury.

Identifying Third-Party Liability on a St. Louis Construction Site

Responsible third parties in a construction accident may include:

• A general contractor who failed to maintain a safe job site, failed to enforce safety protocols, or failed to coordinate trades in a way that prevented foreseeable hazards
• A subcontractor from another trade whose workers created a dangerous condition, such as leaving a floor opening unguarded, improperly storing materials, or creating an electrical hazard
• An equipment manufacturer whose defective product caused or contributed to the injury
• A scaffolding company whose products or erection methods were defective
• A property owner who failed to disclose known site hazards or who maintained unsafe conditions on the property
• An architect or engineer whose design decisions created unreasonable risks
• A utility company that failed to de-energize overhead power lines when required
• A construction manager or project management firm with site safety responsibilities

Identifying and pursuing every third-party claim is one of the most important things Strong Law does for construction accident clients. It is also one of the things that most clearly separates an experienced construction accident law firm from a general personal injury practice.

OSHA Regulations and Construction Site Safety

OSHA’s construction safety standards under 29 CFR Part 1926 establish specific requirements for fall protection, scaffolding, excavation, crane operation, electrical safety, personal protective equipment, hazard communication, and dozens of other workplace conditions. When these standards are violated and a worker is injured, the violation is admissible and powerful evidence of negligence in a Missouri civil case.

OSHA inspections and citations following a serious construction accident create a written record of the violations the agency found. Strong Law works with construction safety experts who understand OSHA standards in depth and can identify violations that may not have appeared in the OSHA citation but are relevant to the civil case. We also pursue independent investigations beyond what OSHA documents.

Injuries Common in Construction Accidents

Construction accidents produce some of the most severe and life-altering injuries in all of personal injury law. The most common serious injuries we handle in construction accident cases include:

• Traumatic brain injury from falls, struck-by incidents, and structural collapses, ranging from concussion with post-concussive syndrome to severe TBI with permanent cognitive and neurological effects
• Spinal cord injury, including herniated and fractured vertebrae, and partial or complete paralysis
• Multiple bone fractures, including complex fractures of the pelvis, femur, tibia, and upper extremities
• Crush injuries and traumatic amputations from caught-in accidents and equipment failures
• Severe burn injuries from fires, explosions, and electrical accidents
• Internal organ damage and internal bleeding from fall and crush incidents
• Permanent hearing damage and vision loss
• Occupational disease from long-term exposure to silica, asbestos, lead, or other hazardous substances
• Psychological injuries, including PTSD and depression, particularly following traumatic accidents

Compensation Available to Injured Construction Workers in Missouri

Between workers’ compensation benefits and third-party personal injury claims, injured construction workers may be entitled to recover:

THROUGH WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

• All medical expenses related to the work injury, with no co-pays or deductibles
• Temporary total disability benefits equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage while you are unable to work
• Permanent partial or permanent total disability benefits if your injuries result in lasting impairment
• Vocational rehabilitation if you cannot return to your prior occupation

THROUGH A THIRD-PARTY PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM

• Full medical expenses, past and future
• Full lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and psychological harm
• Permanent disfigurement and disability
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium
• Punitive damages where a defendant’s conduct was egregious

Missouri law requires that workers’ compensation benefits received be factored into the third-party recovery through a subrogation process. Strong Law handles this carefully to maximize what you actually take home after both claims are resolved.

Call (314) 940-8300 or email injury@stronglaw.com for a free case evaluation.

What to Do After a Construction Accident in St. Louis

1. Report the injury to your employer immediately and ensure that an incident report is completed. Delays in reporting can complicate your workers’ compensation claim.
2. Seek medical attention. If an emergency, call 911. Follow all medical instructions and document every provider, appointment, and expense.
3. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company, including your employer’s workers’ compensation carrier, before consulting an attorney.
4. Document the accident scene if you are able: photograph the hazard, the equipment involved, and your injuries. Note the names and contact information of witnesses.
5. Preserve any defective equipment or tools involved in the accident. Do not allow the employer or contractor to repair, discard, or remove evidence.
6. Request copies of the OSHA inspection report and any incident reports generated after the accident.
7. Call Strong Law at (314) 940-8300 as soon as possible. The earlier we begin investigating, the more evidence we can preserve from the site before it is disturbed.

Frequently Asked Questions: Construction Accident Cases in Missouri

Can I sue my employer after a construction accident?

In most cases, workers’ compensation is the exclusive remedy against your direct employer in Missouri. However, you can bring a separate personal injury lawsuit against any third party whose negligence contributed to your injury. On a typical construction site, the general contractor, subcontractors from other trades, and equipment manufacturers are all potential third-party defendants even when your employer is not.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Missouri follows pure comparative negligence in third-party civil cases. You can recover damages even if you share some responsibility, with your award reduced by your fault percentage. Workers’ compensation benefits are not reduced by your fault. Do not assume that any contribution to the accident bars your recovery before speaking with an attorney.

What if I am an independent contractor rather than an employee?

Independent contractors are generally not covered by workers’ compensation. However, they may have stronger third-party personal injury claims against the general contractor, property owner, and others on the site. The classification of a worker as an independent contractor is sometimes disputed, and in some cases workers are misclassified to avoid providing workers’ compensation coverage. Strong Law can evaluate both the employment classification issue and all available claims.

What if the accident was caused by a defective piece of equipment?

A defective equipment case is pursued as a product liability claim against the manufacturer in addition to whatever negligence claims exist against the site contractors. You can pursue both workers’ compensation and a product liability lawsuit simultaneously. These cases can result in substantially larger recoveries than workers’ compensation or standard negligence claims alone.

How long do I have to file a construction accident claim in Missouri?

Workers’ compensation claims in Missouri should be filed as soon as possible, and the deadline for filing a claim is within two years of the injury or the last payment of benefits. Third-party personal injury claims generally have a five-year statute of limitations. However, do not wait on these deadlines. Evidence from the construction site disappears quickly, and early action by your attorney is essential to building the strongest possible case.

What does it cost to hire Strong Law?

Nothing upfront. Strong Law handles all construction accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. Your consultation is always free.

Serving St. Louis and the Surrounding Region

• St. Louis City and St. Louis County
• Columbia, MO
• St. Charles, MO
• Clayton, Kirkwood, Chesterfield, and surrounding communities
• The greater St. Louis metropolitan area

Not sure if we serve your area? Call us. Consultations are free.

Talk to a St. Louis Construction Accident Attorney Today

A serious construction accident can rob you of your health, your livelihood, and your future. Workers’ compensation was designed to provide a baseline of protection, but it was not designed to fully compensate victims of catastrophic construction injuries. Strong Law fights for the full picture: workers’ compensation benefits plus third-party claims against every party that contributed to what happened to you.

Nearly 50 years in Missouri. $7+ billion recovered. 7 nationally acclaimed trial lawyers. 99% positive reviews. No fee unless we win.

Call Strong Law, P.C. at (314) 940-8300 | injury@stronglaw.com | 5100 Daggett Ave STE B, St. Louis, MO 63110

Strong Law, P.C. | stronglaw.com | Founded 1976 | $7+ Billion Recovered