Which Construction Accident Claim Should You File in Washington, DC?

Need to File a Construction Accident Claim in DC?

In the expanding urban environment of Washington, DC, where construction projects are a constant presence, the risk of accidents is even more prevalent. If you have been injured or have experienced losses due to a construction-related incident, our DC construction accident attorneys are ready to help, allowing you to focus on recovery while we handle the claims filing process and representation of your case.

Since 1997, our team has worked tirelessly to secure multi-million dollar verdicts for our clients, with more than $1 billion won to date. Our award-winning attorneys have extensive knowledge of Washington, DC construction injury claims filing laws and regulations, and can help you to submit your filing in time and secure the compensation you deserve. With our named partners all board certified in Civil Trial Law and Civil Trial Advocacy, and seven of our attorneys recognized by Super Lawyers for their exceptional work, you can trust us to provide expert legal support. Our more than 100 5 star Google reviews are further proof of this.

Contact Regan Zambri Long today for assistance with understanding the different types of construction claims available to you in DC. We operate 24/7 and an attorney will call you back.  You won’t pay any fees if we don’t win your case.

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What Are the Different Types of Construction Accidents?

Unfortunately, with construction comes the risk of accidents. There are many different types of construction accident claims that injured workers or their families can file in Washington, DC. Each type of claim is specific to the circumstances surrounding the incident. These claims aim to compensate and support those affected by a construction accident.

The most common types of construction accident claims in Washington, DC are:

  • Falls from Heights: A common construction accident, falls can occur from scaffolding, ladders, or roofs if proper fall protection measures are not in place. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls are responsible for the majority of accidents in the construction industry, with 47 percent of incidents caused by falls alone. According to a report from Federal OSHA, Fall Protection, General Requirements (29 CFR 1926.501) was also the most often violated OSHA standard for the fiscal year 2024.
  • Struck by Objects: This involves incidents where workers are hit by falling tools or materials, or by moving vehicles on the construction site.
  • Electrocution: Workers may come into contact with live wires or use faulty equipment, leading to serious injuries or death. Control of Hazardous Energy (lockout/tagout), general industry (29 CFR 1910.147) was the third-most frequently violated OSHA standard in 2024.
  • Trench Collapses and Excavation Accidents: When safety protocols are not followed during trenching or excavation, walls may collapse, potentially burying workers alive.>
  • Machinery Accidents: Cranes, bulldozers, and other heavy machinery can malfunction or collapse, causing severe injuries or fatalities.
  • Fires and Explosions: The presence of flammable materials and equipment can lead to fires or explosions, posing a significant risk to workers on construction sites.
  • Chemical exposure: Many materials used in construction sites contain lead or mercury. Workers are often in direct contact with dangerous substances while on site. OSHA’s Eye and Face Protection, construction (29 CFR 1926.102) guideline made the top ten list of most frequently violated standards for 2024, further highlighting this risk.
  • Building collapse: Building and scaffolding collapses are some of the most dangerous accidents on a construction site. People near or working on-site may be struck by debris or fully buried with material. Unsafe scaffolding is also a considerable risk factor, with Scaffolding, construction (29 CFR 1926.451) named OSHA’s eighth-most violated standard in 2024.

What Kind of Construction Site Accident Claim Can I File?

There are four main types of construction accident claims a victim can file. During your free case evaluation, a Regan Zambri Long construction accident lawyer will guide you through the claims process and break down all your legal options.

Workers’ compensation is a system that provides financial compensation and medical assistance to workers injured on the job, regardless of fault. Its purpose is to ensure that employees who are injured or become ill directly due to their job receive appropriate medical care and compensation for lost wages with a lengthy legal process.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for workers’ compensation, the injured party must be an employee, the employer must have workers’ compensation insurance, and the injury or illness must be directly related to the job. In addition, the injured worker must report the injury to the employer within the specified time frame, typically within 30 days of the incident.

 

What benefits can I collect from a workers’ comp claim?

Workers’ compensation provides a range of benefits, including medical expenses, compensation for lost wages, vocational rehabilitation services, and disability benefits. The exact benefits depend on the injury’s severity and specific laws in the District of Columbia.

 

What is the process of filing a workers’ comp claim?

Filing a workers’ compensation claim in Washington, DC, involves several steps. The injured worker must first report the injury to the employer, who will then provide the necessary forms to file a claim. 

 

The claim must be submitted to the employer’s insurance company, which will then conduct an investigation to determine eligibility for benefits. If approved, the injured worker will receive compensation according to the laws and regulations in Washington, DC. 

According to the DC Workers’ Compensation Act, DC Code § 32–1514, Time for filing claims, if you have been severely disabled or injured in a construction accident, you are also granted one year from the date of the incident to file a claim for compensation. If this deadline is missed, you waive your right to seek compensation for your losses. This is why it is essential to work with an experienced construction accident attorney to ensure that your claim is filed on time.

What is a Personal Injury Construction Accident Claim?

In Washington, DC, a third-party construction accident claim can be filed when a worker’s injury was caused by the negligence of someone other than their employer or coworker. Third parties include manufacturers of defective equipment, subcontractors, or others whose actions or inactions contributed to the accident.

 

Who is eligible?

All individuals who were injured as a direct result of the construction accident may file a personal injury claim. This can include individuals near the site during the accident who suffered injuries or workers who are not eligible for workers’ compensation. 

 

What damages can I recover from a personal injury claim?

There is no single estimate for how much someone can recover from a construction accident claim. The amount depends on the severity of the injury and property damage. However, at Regan Zambri Long, our construction accident attorneys work tirelessly to recover the maximum compensation for:

 

  • Current and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Punitive damages

How do I file a personal injury claim?

To file a third-party construction accident claim, the injured party must establish that the third party was negligent and that this negligence was a direct cause of their injuries. This involves gathering evidence, such as accident reports, witness statements, and medical records, and then filing a lawsuit against the responsible party. 

 

Your personal injury lawyer will guide you through the necessary steps to secure financial compensation for your injuries. Call the Regan Zambri Long law firm today for a free consultation.

What is a Product Liability Construction Accident Claim?

A product liability construction accident claim arises when a worker is injured due to a defective or dangerous piece of equipment or machinery used on the job site. 

 

Who is eligible?

In these cases, the injured party may be eligible to file a claim against the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of the faulty product. Those eligible for a product liability claim include any worker or bystander directly affected by the defective product. 

 

What damages can I collect from a product liability claim?

Damages from a product liability claim are the same as a personal injury claim. They include:

  • Current and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Punitive damages

How do I file a product liability claim?

To file a product liability claim, the injured person must demonstrate that the product was defective or unreasonably dangerous, the defect caused the injury, and the product was being used as intended at the time of the accident.  

 

This process requires gathering as much evidence as possible to prove that your injury was caused by a defective product, rather than negligence or a usage error.

 

If you believe that you are entitled to compensation for your product liability claim, contact our team at Regan Zambri Long for a comprehensive evaluation of your case. Our skilled attorneys can assist you in gathering evidence, filing your claim, and winning you your rightful compensation in a court of law.

Frequently Asked Questions about Filing Construction Accident Claims in DC

What is the leading cause of construction injuries?

According to data from OSHA, falls at construction sites cause nearly half (47 percent) of all accidents and injuries in the construction industry. This makes falling the leading cause of construction injuries in the United States.

What are the most common reasons for filing construction accident claims?

The most common reasons for which construction accident claims are filed in Washington, DC include:

 

  • Falls, trips, and slips
  • Being struck by objects, including falling materials, vehicles, and tools
  • Being electrocuted by wires or equipment at a job site.
  • Injury due to excavation accidents and trench collapses
  • Accidents caused by malfunctioning or collapsed machinery
  • Building or scaffolding collapses
  • Injury caused by fires or explosions
  • Exposure to hazardous chemicals

Am I eligible for workers’ compensation after my construction injury in DC?

You are eligible for workers’ compensation if you, as the injured party, are an official employee of an employer with workers’ compensation insurance. Your illness or injury must also be directly related to your role and workplace. If you are eligible to claim workers’ compensation, you must report your injury to your employer within 30 days of the incident in order to be able to claim your remuneration.

Am I eligible to file a construction personal injury claim in Washington, DC?

Anyone who is injured as a direct result of an accident on a construction site is legally entitled to file a personal injury claim. This includes individuals who were close to the site when the accident took place, as well as workers who are not eligible to receive workers’ compensation.

 

If you wish to file a third-party construction injury claim, you need to prove that the third party acted in a negligent way, with this negligence directly causing your injuries. You will need to submit evidence in the form of medical records, witness statements, and detailed accident reports, using these documents to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent organization or party.

What is the difference between a personal injury claim and a product liability claim?

Personal injury claims can be filed by any injured individual who was directly injured by an accident at a construction site. Product liability construction accident claims, while similar in nature to construction injury claims, can only be filed if a worker is injured by a dangerous, malfunctioning, or defective piece of machinery or equipment at a construction site.

 

Washington, DC personal injury claims take into account a wide range of injury causes, from slips and falls to electrocution, chemical exposure, fires, and more, whereas product liability claims pertain specifically to injuries caused by faulty products, equipment, and machines.

Contact Our DC Construction Accident Attorneys Today

Fatal Construction Accidents and Wrongful Death Claims

In Washington, DC, if a fatal construction accident results in the wrongful death of a worker, the family may file a wrongful death claim. Under DC law, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate must file the claim.
 

Who are the beneficiaries of a wrongful death claim?

The beneficiaries typically include:
 

  • The surviving spouse
  • Surviving children
  • Dependent parents

Damages that can be recovered in a wrongful death claim are similar to other personal injury claims. However, they include compensation for lost wages and benefits, medical expenses incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
 

How do I file a wrongful death claim?

To file a wrongful death claim, the personal representative should gather all necessary evidence, including accident reports, medical records, and witness statements, to prove that the accident was a result of negligence or intentional wrongdoing. 

Call the Regan Zambri Long Construction Accident Lawyers Today

Construction accident claims can get complicated very quickly. It is not the victim’s job to understand the ins and outs of DC law and know what type of claim they should file. That’s where a construction accident lawyer at Regan Zambri Long will be beneficial. Our construction accident attorneys understand that every kind of claim serves a specific purpose and has its eligibility requirements and benefits.

 

Our attorneys deeply understand Washington, DC law. We will file the right claim, build your case, negotiate with the insurance company, and even take your lawsuit to court if necessary. We have won millions for our clients over the two decades of serving DC residents and we are confident we can do the same for you. Call today for your free consultation. Let us handle the stress of the claims process while you and your family focus on a full recovery.

 

If you have suffered a construction injury in DC, you may also be dealing with pain and suffering, personal losses, and the stress of determining which construction accident claims you should file. Let our legal experts at Regan Zambri Long handle the process on your behalf. Our skilled attorneys will evaluate your case, file the relevant claims within their deadlines, and represent your lawsuit in court to win you the highest settlement possible.

 

With more than $1 billion in settlements won for our clients to date, we have the skill, expertise, and dedication needed to fight for justice on your behalf. Our exceptional results are highlighted by our many industry-leading awards won, including all six partners being named to the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers list, and three of our partners, Patrick Regan, Salvatore Zambri, and Victor Long, hold renowned AV ratings from Martindale-Hubbell. Seven of our acclaimed attorneys have also received Super Lawyers status for their work, with Salvatore Zambri named to the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Washington, DC, and Zambri, Paul Cornoni, and Patrick Regan also featured in the list of Top 100 Super Lawyers in Washington, DC.

 

We are ready to put our extensive knowledge and expertise to work to win your lawsuit and bring your construction injury case to justice. Contact Regan Zambri Long today for a free case evaluation and professional, caring support. We won’t charge any fees unless we win your case.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.

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