Falls from scaffolding, ladders, roofs, and elevated platforms are the leading cause of construction fatalities in Louisiana and across the country. OSHA standards require employers and contractors to provide adequate fall protection — including guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems. When these protections are absent, inadequate, or defective, injured workers may have claims not only through workers’ compensation but also against the general contractor, property owner, or scaffold manufacturer. Our attorneys investigate every aspect of these cases and pursue all available claims.

Improperly erected scaffolding, overloaded platforms, missing guardrails, and defective scaffold components are responsible for hundreds of serious injuries each year. Liability in scaffold accident cases can extend to the scaffolding company, the general contractor responsible for site safety, and the manufacturer of defective components. Our attorneys work with construction safety experts to identify every violation and every responsible party.

Being struck by a vehicle, crane load, falling tool, or swinging equipment is one of the four leading causes of construction fatalities recognized by OSHA. These accidents frequently result from inadequate site organization, poor communication between operators and ground workers, and failure to establish proper exclusion zones. Our attorneys pursue claims against every party responsible for the unsafe site conditions that allowed the accident to occur.

Crane collapses, tip-overs, rigging failures, and collisions involving forklifts, excavators, and other heavy machinery cause catastrophic injuries on construction sites throughout Louisiana. Liability may extend to the equipment operator, the equipment owner, the general contractor, or the manufacturer of a defective component. Our attorneys work with crane and equipment experts to investigate these complex accidents and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.

Contact with overhead power lines, exposed wiring, and improperly grounded electrical equipment is responsible for a significant portion of construction fatalities in Louisiana. OSHA standards impose strict requirements for electrical safety on construction sites — and violations of these standards can establish liability for the contractor or property owner. Our attorneys pursue these claims aggressively on behalf of injured workers and their families.

Trench collapses can bury a worker within seconds, causing crushing injuries, asphyxiation, and death. OSHA has detailed standards governing trench safety — including shoring, sloping, and protective systems — that are routinely violated by contractors cutting costs on Louisiana job sites. When a trench collapse occurs due to inadequate protective measures, the responsible contractor and property owner can be held liable for all resulting injuries and deaths.

Workers can be caught in or compressed by machinery, equipment, or collapsing structures — resulting in crush injuries, amputations, and fatalities. These accidents frequently involve unguarded machinery, inadequate lockout/tagout procedures, and failure to establish safe work zones around operating equipment. Our attorneys pursue claims against equipment manufacturers, maintenance contractors, and site supervisors for their roles in creating or tolerating these dangerous conditions.

When a construction accident results from a defective power tool, safety harness, saw, compressor, or other piece of equipment, the manufacturer may be liable under product liability law — separate from and in addition to any workers’ compensation claim. Our attorneys work with engineering experts to identify product defects and pursue claims against manufacturers, distributors, and rental companies on behalf of injured workers.

Construction workers are routinely exposed to asbestos, silica dust, lead paint, benzene, welding fumes, and other hazardous substances. Long-term or acute exposure to these materials can cause mesothelioma, silicosis, lung disease, neurological damage, and cancer. When exposure results from an employer’s or contractor’s failure to provide adequate protective equipment or to warn workers of known hazards, our attorneys pursue compensation for all resulting health consequences.

When a construction worker is killed on the job, surviving family members may be entitled to both workers’ compensation death benefits and a wrongful death claim against third parties responsible for the fatal accident. Our attorneys handle these devastating cases with the compassion and tenacity that grieving families deserve, and fight to hold every responsible party fully accountable for the loss of your loved one.

Yes — and this is one of the most important questions in any construction accident case. Louisiana workers’ compensation generally prevents you from suing your direct employer, but it does not bar claims against third parties — including the general contractor, a subcontractor on the site, the property owner, or a defective equipment manufacturer. These third-party claims can recover the full range of damages, including pain and suffering, that workers’ compensation does not cover. Our attorneys identify every available third-party claim and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.

For third-party personal injury claims, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in Louisiana. Workers’ compensation claims have separate and shorter reporting and filing deadlines. Because evidence on construction sites can disappear quickly — and OSHA investigation records are time-sensitive — contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.

An OSHA citation is powerful evidence that safety standards were violated and that the employer or contractor was aware of — or should have been aware of — dangerous conditions. Our attorneys obtain OSHA investigation records and use them to build the strongest possible case for your claim. Learn more about how fault is determined in Louisiana.

Louisiana follows pure comparative fault for third-party negligence claims. Even if you were partly responsible for the accident, you can still recover compensation — your total award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies and contractors frequently try to exaggerate a worker’s share of blame to limit their liability. Our attorneys push back hard against these tactics.

Nothing upfront. Our construction accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs, no hourly fees, and no out-of-pocket expenses. If we do not win your case, you owe us nothing.

Construction accident cases can be complex — particularly when multiple defendants are involved or catastrophic injuries require comprehensive life care planning. Learn more about the timeline of a personal injury case. We keep you informed throughout the process and never pressure you to accept a settlement before you are ready.

Yes — through both workers’ compensation and any available third-party claims. Workers’ compensation pays a portion of your lost wages; a third-party negligence claim can recover the full value of your lost income and future earning capacity. Learn more about how lost wages are calculated in Louisiana. Our attorneys maximize your recovery from every available source.

Report the accident to your supervisor immediately. Seek medical attention right away — even if you feel okay, some serious injuries are not immediately apparent. Document the scene with photos if possible, and get the names of any witnesses. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Contact Mansfield Melancon as soon as possible so we can begin preserving site records, OSHA filings, and other time-sensitive evidence before it is altered or destroyed.