Construction Accident Lawyer in Denver, CO

Construction Activity and Job Site Risks in Denver

Construction activity continues across many parts of Denver as residential towers, commercial developments, and infrastructure projects reshape the city. Some of the areas where large construction projects and redevelopment are underway include:

• RiNo Art District: Rapid redevelopment has led to numerous mixed-use projects, apartment buildings, and commercial developments where workers may face risks involving scaffolding, cranes, and falling construction materials.
• Cherry Creek and Cherry Creek North: Multi-story residential and commercial construction projects create environments where falls from height, equipment incidents, and struck-by accidents may occur.
• Union Station and Downtown Denver: High-rise construction and urban redevelopment projects require the complex coordination of cranes, structural steel work, and material handling, which can create serious job-site hazards.
• Golden Triangle and Central Park: Expanding residential construction often involves framing, roofing, and structural work that may expose workers to fall hazards and heavy equipment accidents.
• Ball Arena Redevelopment District: Large mixed-use redevelopment projects involving residential towers, retail space, and entertainment venues generate extensive construction activity and potentially hazardous conditions.

If you were injured at one of these locations or another construction site in the Denver metro area, the construction accident attorneys at Ogborn Mihm are available to help you pursue fair compensation.

Construction Accident Claims Beyond Workers’ Compensation

Many construction workers who are injured on the job receive benefits through workers’ compensation. These benefits may cover medical treatment and a portion of lost income. However, workers’ compensation benefits are often limited and typically do not cover pain and suffering or other long-term consequences of a serious injury.

When Third-Party Negligence Is Involved

Some construction accidents occur because a party other than the worker’s employer failed to act responsibly. For example, negligent contractors, unsafe property conditions, defective machinery, or subcontractor errors may contribute to an accident. When a third party’s negligence plays a role, the injured worker may have the right to pursue a personal injury claim in addition to any available workers’ compensation benefits.

These cases are often referred to as third-party construction accident claims. They allow injured workers to seek compensation for the full impact of their injuries, including medical expenses, lost income, and long-term disability.

The OSHA “Fatal Four” Construction Hazards

Construction sites involve many hazards, but the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identifies four types of accidents that account for a large percentage of fatal construction incidents in the United States.

Falls From Height

Falls are the leading cause of construction fatalities. Workers performing tasks on scaffolding, ladders, rooftops, or unfinished structures may face serious risks if proper fall protection is not in place. These accidents often result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or multiple fractures.

Struck-By Incidents

Workers may be injured when they are struck by falling tools, construction materials, or moving equipment. Cranes, forklifts, and trucks can create dangerous conditions when materials are not properly secured or when equipment is operated unsafely.

Electrocution Hazards

Construction workers may encounter live wires, faulty electrical systems, or overhead power lines. Electrocution incidents can cause severe burns, cardiac complications, or fatal injuries.

Caught-In or Caught-Between Accidents

These accidents occur when workers become trapped between heavy machinery, structural components, or collapsing materials. Trench collapses, equipment malfunctions, and structural failures can lead to devastating crush injuries.

Whether you were injured in one of these situations or another workplace event, the construction accident attorneys at Ogborn Mihm can investigate the circumstances surrounding what occurred. If negligence by a third party played a role, we can help you pursue compensation through a personal injury claim.

What Are the Most Common Injuries for Construction Workers?

Some of the most common injuries construction workers in Denver experience include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: Falls from scaffolding or ladders, as well as being struck by falling tools or materials, can cause serious head trauma. These injuries may lead to lasting cognitive or neurological complications. At Ogborn Mihm, our attorneys are recognized as leading litigators in cases involving traumatic brain injuries.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Falls from height or heavy equipment accidents can damage the spinal cord, sometimes resulting in partial or complete paralysis and long-term disability.
• Severe Fractures: Construction accidents frequently involve broken arms, legs, ribs, or other fractures caused by falls, equipment incidents, or falling materials.
• Crush Injuries: Workers may suffer severe injuries when caught between heavy machinery, collapsing materials, or structural components.
• Burns and Electrocution Injuries: Contact with live electrical systems, exposed wiring, or power lines can lead to severe burns, nerve damage, or life-threatening electrical injuries.
• Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma from equipment accidents or falls can cause internal bleeding or damage to vital organs.

Many of these injuries require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, and some may permanently affect a worker’s ability to return to the job. If negligence contributed to your injury, our construction accident lawyers can help you pursue compensation that reflects the full impact of your losses.

Who May Be Liable for a Construction Accident?

Construction sites often involve multiple companies and individuals working at the same location. If any of the following parties acted negligently, they may be held liable for your injuries: 

General Contractors and Subcontractors

General contractors are typically responsible for coordinating work and maintaining safe conditions on a construction site. Subcontractors may also have safety responsibilities related to their specific tasks. When contractors fail to follow safety procedures or properly supervise work, serious injuries can occur.

Property Owners and Developers

Property owners and developers may be responsible for unsafe site conditions or hazards that contribute to an accident. In some situations, inadequate oversight or failure to address known dangers can expose workers to unnecessary risks.

Equipment Manufacturers and Suppliers

Some accidents occur when machinery, tools, or safety equipment are defective. If faulty equipment contributes to an injury, the manufacturer or distributor may be liable under product liability laws.

Other Third Parties on the Job Site

Construction projects often involve multiple parties working together, including site managers, safety coordinators, and engineering professionals. If their actions contribute to unsafe conditions, they may also be held responsible.

Determining liability in a construction accident case often requires a detailed investigation. The construction accident attorneys at Ogborn Mihm have the experience, resources, and access to expert analysis needed to investigate these incidents and identify the parties responsible.

How Much Compensation Do You Get for an Injury at Work?

The compensation available after a serious workplace injury depends on several factors, including the severity of the injury, the medical treatment required, and the long-term impact on the worker’s ability to earn a living.

Potential compensation in a Denver construction accident claim may include:

• Medical Expenses: Compensation may cover hospital care, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, and other treatment required as a result of the injury.
• Lost Wages: Workers who are unable to return to their jobs during recovery may seek compensation for the income lost while they were unable to work.
• Loss of Future Earning Capacity: If an injury permanently affects a worker’s ability to perform their job or earn the same income in the future, compensation may reflect those long-term financial losses.
• Rehabilitation and Ongoing Care: Some injuries require long-term medical treatment, physical therapy, or specialized care.
• Pain and Suffering: Injured workers may seek compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and resulting injuries.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Serious injuries may limit a person’s ability to participate in daily activities, hobbies, or family life.

While many of these cases are resolved through settlement negotiations, some require litigation. At Ogborn Mihm, our construction accident lawyers prepare every case with trial in mind. This approach places you in the strongest possible position to pursue the compensation you and your family deserve.

Colorado Laws Affecting Construction Accident Claims

Construction accident claims in Denver are governed by several Colorado laws that determine how liability is established, how compensation may be awarded, and how long injured workers have to take legal action.

Key legal principles that apply to these cases include: 

Negligence and Liability

Most injury claims involving injured construction workers are based on the legal principle of negligence. To establish liability, it must generally be shown that a responsible party owed a duty of care, breached that duty through unsafe conduct, and that the breach caused the injury. The injured worker must also demonstrate that the accident resulted in measurable damages such as medical expenses, lost income, or other losses.

Comparative Fault 

Colorado follows a modified comparative fault rule. This means that an injured person may still recover compensation even if they were partially responsible for the accident, as long as their share of fault does not exceed 50%. Any compensation awarded may be reduced in proportion to the injured person’s level of responsibility.

Statute of Limitations

Colorado law places time limits on filing personal injury claims. Most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date of the injury. If a claim is not filed within this time period, the injured person may lose the right to pursue compensation. 

These laws can significantly affect the outcome of a case, making experienced legal guidance essential. The attorneys at Ogborn Mihm ensure that the applicable laws are properly addressed and that filings are completed within the required time limits.

Why Choose Ogborn Mihm for Your Construction Accident Case

Construction sites often involve multiple contractors, subcontractors, and vendors operating in a fast-moving environment. When a serious injury occurs, determining liability requires a thorough investigation into job site practices and safety procedures.

Injured construction workers in Denver turn to Ogborn Mihm because we offer: 

Trial Readiness

Claims involving serious workplace injuries are often disputed by contractors, insurers, and other parties seeking to limit liability. Ogborn Mihm prepares every case with trial in mind from the outset. By developing a strong evidentiary record early in the process, we place clients in the strongest possible position, whether a case proceeds to settlement negotiations or litigation.

Resources for Complex Injury Cases

We work alongside trusted investigators, medical professionals, accident reconstruction specialists, and other experts to evaluate how an incident occurred and who may be responsible. This approach allows us to fully assess the circumstances of the injury and the long-term consequences for the worker and their family.

Commitment to the Denver Community

Although Ogborn Mihm represents clients in complex litigation across the country, our construction accident attorneys are based here in Denver. We understand the risks faced by workers in this city’s active construction industry.

Contact Our Denver Construction Accident Attorneys

Whether you were injured on a construction site in Cherry Creek, Capitol Hill, or LoDo, the construction accident attorneys at Ogborn Mihm are here to help. Our firm has extensive experience handling catastrophic injury cases, particularly those involving severe brain trauma.

To learn more about your legal options and whether you may be able to pursue compensation beyond workers’ compensation benefits, contact our Lincoln Street law office to schedule a free initial consultation.