Risks posed to bystanders at construction sites

Whether you are working in construction or you happen to be a pedestrian or driver going past a worksite, you should understand that there may be certain dangers that could stem from merely being too close to a construction site when something went wrong. At the law offices of Lee M. Schwalben, M.D., J.D., LLC, we have answered questions from Louisiana residents injured at construction sites or from the families of those who were killed from being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

As FindLaw explains, there are many ways you can be injured at a construction site as a worker, pedestrian or driver. The following scenarios can give you an idea of some of the dangers:

• While working on a building or walking past the site, you could be struck by falling debris, such as glass, planks or bricks.
• Your vehicle might be hit by falling objects or machinery.
• You could trip on debris on the sidewalk or fall into a trench near a construction site.
• You could be in a chain-reaction car accident after another vehicle is hit by falling debris or struck by a construction vehicle.

Construction companies are required to take safety precautions to protect their workers, nearby pedestrians and drivers from common dangers, such as falling objects or construction litter. These can include putting up warning signs, installing barriers to prevent objects from falling onto walkways and barricading trenches and other dangerous areas.

If you were injured in construction or a family member was killed, the negligent company may be held responsible, as our page on wrongful death explains.