Massive fires within buildings under construction—whether accidental or deliberately set by arsonists—can result in hundreds of millions of dollars in property damage. Even relatively small fires, though, can cause serious and even life-altering injuries to construction workers who are in the wrong place at the wrong time. As can explosions caused by combustible construction materials being exposed to extreme heat or electricity.
Regardless of their precise cause, fires and explosions on Las Vegas construction sites can often serve as grounds for civil litigation by workers injured in the incident. When you are hurt or lose a loved one through this type of event, our diligent construction accident attorneys at Shook & Stone are ready to help you enforce your legal rights and demand fair compensation for your losses.
Proving “Fault” for an Injury from a Construction Site Fire or Explosion
Common causes of fires on Las Vegas construction sites include:
- Improper fuel storage
- Deliberate criminal acts
- Mechanical malfunctions in heavy machinery
- Sparks—often from exposed electrical currents or from the use of tools like welding torches or angle grinders—catching on flammable wood, insulation, chemicals, or even clothing fabric
In any of these situations, civil “fault” for ensuing injuries suffered by construction workers would lie with any third party who directly contributed to causing the fire or explosion through their own reckless, careless, or illegal conduct.
If you were hurt in an incident like this while performing job-related tasks on a construction site, you may also have access to workers’ compensation coverage through your employer. These benefits would be available on a fault-free basis, meaning that you should not need to prove that anyone else was to blame for the incident to receive reimbursement for medical bills, a significant portion of your lost wages, and potentially other losses as well.
Recovery Options After Fatal Construction Site Accidents
Unfortunately, fires and explosions on construction sites in Las Vegas sometimes end up having fatal repercussions. If an accident of this nature causes a close family member of yours to lose their life, you may have grounds to file suit in their name for “wrongful death.” This type of legal claim could allow you and your family to recover for damages like:
- Emotional anguish
- Lost financial support
- Lost love and companionship
- Lost household services and support
In addition, the spouse and children—and sometimes other relatives—of someone covered by workers’ comp who passes away in a work-related accident may be eligible for death benefits through their family member’s workers’ comp coverage, including:
- Up to $10,000 for funeral and burial costs
- A substantial portion of the lost financial support the decedent would have provided
Assistance from a seasoned legal professional could be key to maximizing available recovery under tragic circumstances such as this.
A Las Vegas Attorney Could Help Following a Fire or Explosion on a Construction Site
While structural fires do not happen particularly often in construction work compared to other types of accidents, they can be exceptionally devastating and life-altering when they do occur. As with any other kind of work-related injury, though, you may have multiple options for seeking financial recovery after being hurt by a fire or explosion on a Las Vegas construction site.
Our legal team at Shook & Stone could provide the custom-tailored guidance and support you need to get the best case result possible in your specific situation. Call today to learn more.
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