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Construction Site Accident Attorney in Washington and Oregon

Eder Sturm Eder is a law firm specializing in construction site accidents in Portland, Oregon. While every occupation carries some level of risk, the construction industry is among the most dangerous in the United States. Accidents in the construction field affect every type of worker and remain a significant concern throughout Oregon and beyond.

Oregon's Experts in Construction Site Accidents

Whether you’re building new lofts in the Pearl District or making repairs at The Moda Center, if you receive an injury while working in construction, it’s time to seek help. While companies and individuals like developers, construction managers, general contractors, subcontractors, vendors and manufacturers may try to sweep these worksite incidents under the rug, you deserve a fair and legal resolution.

You may be able to claim compensation for your medical bills, emotional suffering and lost income due to the injury among other types of harm. The construction site injury lawyers at Eder Sturm Eder can help you go after every penny you are due under the law.

Meet Eder Sturm Eder, Portland’s Construction Accident Attorneys

Construction site and work zone accidents demand specialized legal counsel to ensure a fair outcome. The expert attorneys at Eder Sturm Eder have the experience to represent those suffering after a construction accident. We are by your side until the case is resolved. We offer:

Proven Experience

With over two decades of client advocacy, Eder Sturm Eder brings a wealth of knowledge to premises liability disputes. A profound grasp of negligence law, OSHA requirements, and workplace safety responsibilities equips the firm to build strong, successful cases.

Outstanding Results

ESE’s team has assisted more than 15,000 clients throughout Oregon and Washington, consistently achieving positive outcomes. Years of hands-on experience and developed strategies enable them to handle the most complex liability claims with confidence and skill.

Proactive Communication

Clients receive open, thorough communication starting at the first meeting. The firm prioritizes clarity in explaining options and always answers questions directly. ESE works exclusively on a contingency fee basis. You will owe us nothing until we secure compensation for you.

Contact our personal injury lawyers to schedule a free consultation.

Common Construction Site Accident Causes

Common Construction Site Accident Causes

A construction accident is any mishap that occurs on, in, or near a work zone due to construction-related activity. Common types of construction accident cases include:

Machinery Incidents - Construction machinery poses a significant risk to operators and bystanders. Equipment malfunctions, design/manufacturing/warnings defects, insufficient training and poor maintenance can all create hazardous circumstances that lead to injuries.

Falls - More than a third of construction site injuries are the result of falls. Construction sites often require the use of ropes, ladders, scaffolding and elevated platforms for workers, raising the risk of someone falling. Work zones may also have hazards such as open elevator shafts and . Without proper training, and in the absence of sufficient safety measures, injuries from falls are highly likely.

Explosions and Fires - Explosive materials are another common element in many work zones. Natural gas, propane, and gasoline may all be on site. If a company or its workers fail to keep up appropriate safety practices, workers may suffer severe burns, eye injuries and even death.

Electrocution - All construction site electrical work requires a licensed, bonded electrician for optimal safety and legal compliance. Work zones that have subpar safety measures or that use untrained workers for electrical tasks put everyone on site at risk.

Slips and Trips - Slippery floors, poor lighting, uneven ground, unmarked stairs and other hazards easily lead to slips, trips and falls. These accidents frequently cause muscle sprains, broken bones and head injuries.

Struck by Object - Construction sites are full of things that can fall or can become airborne if people aren’t following proper safety precautions. Things like lumber, metal beams demolition debris and other construction materials all pose hazards to the staff. Regulations require proper warnings and personal protective equipment (PPE) like hard hats and eye protection in construction zones for this reason.

Building Collapse - A building collapse is very rare, but it’s also one of the most devastating accidents that can happen. If a building collapses, it’s common for the developer, owners, general contractor and subcontractors who caused or contributed to the collapse to be liable.

Vehicular Accidents - Delivery trucks, transport vehicles (e.g. forklifts) and heavy equipment are ever-present on construction sites. Vehicular accidents can happen due to poor lighting, uneven ground, physical obstructions or operator error.

Caught-In or Caught-Between Accidents - About 1 in 20 accidents on construction sites involve someone getting trapped in or between materials and equipment. With the tremendous weight and size of construction items, these types of injuries can be significant.

Exposure Injuries and Illnesses - Dust, formaldehyde, mold, silica, chemicals and toxins all create safety hazards on a job site. Lack of sufficient (or any) safety gear and exposure to any of these dangers can lead to chronic illnesses for workers.

Traumatic Brain Injuries - A traumatic brain injury (TBI) happens due to a forceful impact to the head. Vehicular accidents, falling debris, falls, and machinery failure can all lead to dangerous situations that may cause a TBI.

Crane Accidents - Crane and hoist accidents are unique to construction zones. The high fulcrum and wide arc of a crane make it challenging for the operator to see where the materials are going. Bad safety habits, inadequate training and equipment failures can cause devastating accidents on a work site.

Forklift Accidents - Anyone operating a forklift should have adequate training and a certification. Operating a lift requires constant attentiveness to the surroundings and to the load you are transporting. Operator error and equipment malfunctions often lead to accidents and injuries.

Trench Accidents - Trenches for laying pipes or setting a foundation are common in construction zones. The trenches carry extra danger and require significant precaution due to the risk of falling debris and trapping hazards when a worker is below ground level.

If you suffer a work site injury and need a construction accident attorney, don’t delay your claim.

Each state sets a statute of limitations that tells you how long you have after an accident to file a personal injury claim. In Oregon and Washington, you have three years from the date of the construction accident. In the case of a fatality, the victim’s loved ones have two years from the accident to begin a lawsuit.

Speak to a Construction Accident Attorney Now

Construction Site Accidents FAQs

Common questions about construction site accidents cases in Oregon

After filing a workers' compensation claim (if applicable to your situation), you may be able to pursue a third-party claim against outside individuals or companies at fault for the accident. This may allow you to recover additional damages beyond what workers’ compensation provides, such as compensation for pain and suffering. Consulting an attorney can help clarify if there are any exceptions in your specific case. If you have already filed a workers’ compensation claim, you generally cannot file a third-party claim against your employer or others within the same employ for the same injury. However, you may be able to file against someone other than your employer or a co-worker, such as the manufacturer of defective equipment or developer, owner and/or outside contractor, if their negligence was responsible for your injury.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), slip-and-falls hold first place for construction zone injuries. In fact, falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry. After that, struck-by injuries, caught-between incidents and electrocutions round out the top four types of accidents. Disorganized or poorly maintained work zones create significant hazards for workers. Problems such as tripping hazards, poor lighting, uneven loads, improper signage and inadequate training are all factors that lead to construction site accidents.
Construction companies bear the responsibility of keeping their sites safe for workers, visitors, and bystanders. You don’t have to be on the clock or on the payroll of a construction company to file a personal injury claim after an accident. Our firm represents employees and non-employees when they have personal injury claims resulting from a work site injury; contact our personal injury lawyers to learn more.
AI dash cams help reduce accidents in construction areas by providing real-time monitoring and alerting both drivers and site managers to potential hazards. These smart cameras can detect risky behaviors such as distracted driving, speeding and unauthorized equipment usage, issuing immediate in-cab alerts that allow drivers to correct their actions before an incident occurs. AI dash cams also offer real-time video analysis that can spot hazards like people in blind spots, moving vehicles, or unexpected obstacles and alert supervisors quickly so problems can be resolved before accidents happen. Studies have shown that AI dash cams can decrease unsafe actions such as phone usage and distracted driving by up to 75%, and reduce crashes by 29%.
Accidents in construction areas are frequent and make construction one of the most hazardous industries in the United States. In 2023, the construction industry recorded approximately 1,075 worker fatalities, which amounts to about 9.6 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers and accounts for nearly 20% of all workplace deaths in the country. Non-fatal injuries are even more common, with 173,200 reported cases in 2023 and an incidence rate of 2.3 per 100 workers.
Each claim is unique, but workers with inadequate training or poor supervision are frequently the cause of construction site accidents. If training, supervision or equipment are not up to industry safety standards, the employer, its parent company and third-party training contractors they use could end up liable for a worker’s negligence or errors. This practice is called vicarious liability.
According to the CDC, “Falls remain the leading cause of work-related deaths in construction. They account for more than 36.4% of all fatalities in this industry.” This statistic illustrates how crucial safety standards and protocols are on a work site. The Center for Construction Research and Training outlines construction fatality rates by accident type: Falls (including slips and trips): 35% Struck-by Incidents: 17% Electrocution: 7.6% Caught-In/Between Incidents: 5.8% All Other Injuries: 34.6%

WHO WE ARE

We are dedicated, consistent, driven personal injury attorneys.

We are trial attorneys first and foremost and we are eager to tell your story. We work tirelessly to help you reach the best possible legal outcome.

EDER STURM EDER

Dedicated.
Consistent.
Driven.

BY THE NUMBERS

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WHAT WE DO

We use our experience and expertise to help injured clients maximize their financial recovery.

We accomplish this through our knowledge of the legal system, insurance defense strategies, vehicle code, and understanding of medical treatments, procedures, and diagnoses. We combine this knowledge with years of courtroom experience.

OUR APPROACH

Unlike many firms, we build every case like it's going to trial.

We know the extra effort will make the case stronger in terms of settlement or trial. Let us narrate your story, set your case up for success, and be your ferocious advocate throughout your case.

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