Were you injured at a construction site, warehouse or big box store? All businesses have inherent risks, but some customers face greater hazards than others. For example, visitors to construction sites or warehouse stores often have to contend with greater dangers from falling products to slippery floors.
Getting injured when you are a customer at a business can be scary and overwhelming. If a business has appropriate insurance coverage, it might be easier to move forward and receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Without the right insurance policy, however, getting financial compensation can be an uphill battle. Below, we’ve broken down the five big areas of liability when someone is injured at a construction site, warehouse or big box store.
Customer Injuries
Construction, warehouse sites and big box stores, such as Costco and Home Depot, are notoriously dangerous. Products stacked high on shelves, piles of wood, even an object as simple as a ladder can present a threat of injury. So a warehouse site or big box store must be prepared to protect itself against the potential for customer injuries.
If you were injured at a warehouse or big box store, general liability insurance plans typically cover costs like:
- Funeral expenses in the case of a fatal incident
- Medical bills
- Rehab or physical therapy bills
- Court-ordered judgments
- Attorney fees
Thankfully, customer injuries are included in most general liability insurance plans. The cost and pain of an injury is extreme and the injured customer may sue for financial compensation. Pain and suffering awards are the largest financial awards given to a plaintiff by a jury when you are injured at a construction site, warehouse or big box store.
Customer Property Damage
At a busy facility, there are many moving parts. If those moving parts damage the property of a customer, the bills can quickly get out of hand. Thankfully, this is another area of liability that is usually covered by general liability insurance.
Damaged property can include everything from furniture to vehicles. A strong insurance policy will cover the costs of repairing or replacing your damaged item.
Libel and Slander
In the era of internet marketing, companies often mass-produce content to bolster their online presence. In the pursuit of its marketing goals, a business may inadvertently copy the slogan or advertising campaign of a rival company. In those cases, a general liability plan should cover the legal expenses.
In addition to copyright infringement, these plans also cover libel and slander. So if a business owner is sued for something that was written or said under the company’s name, they can be financially prepared.
Product Liability
Product liability is typically an add-on feature for traditional general liability insurance policies. If a business manufactures unique products, it may want to opt for this additional coverage. Product liability results from either a defect in the manufacturing process or an unsafe design that makes a product inherently dangerous. Even purchasing a circular saw at Home Depot does not assure you that a product is safe.
While most businesses try to create safe, effective products, errors in manufacturing can occur, causing significant harm. With this kind of liability coverage, a business is able to prepare for worst-case scenarios.
Worker Injuries
Each year, there are over 150,000 reported injuries on construction jobs in the United States. Needless to say, this field of work can be very dangerous—and the resultant injuries at a construction site can be very expensive.
Employers have a duty to keep worksites, and even offices, safe. For this reason, New York State requires all employers to obtain workers’ compensation insurance to pay for on-the-job injuries.
Workers’ compensation coverage will take care of everything from medical treatment and lost wages because of your work-related injuries. In New York State, you are not allowed to sue your employer for negligence except in a very few circumstances. Workers’ compensation insurance helps to protect employers from expensive lawsuits while providing their employees with the resources necessary to cope with their injuries.
When to Call a Personal Injury Attorney
Construction sites, warehouses and big box stores can be dangerous. In fact, they are amongst the most dangerous workplaces in the nation.
With this being the case, it’s wise to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney any time you are injured at a construction site, warehouse or big box store. A qualified attorney can help you determine whether the business is at fault and if you can file a lawsuit.
If it becomes clear that a lawsuit is the best course of action, turn to the Law Offices of Frank J. Dito.
Our team represents countless Staten Island clients just like you. If you have been injured at a construction site, warehouse or big box store, give us a call today. We will help you determine the next best steps.