How to Deal with Contractor Negligence Cases

Bad contractors are everywhere, and if you or someone on your premises suffered an injury due to a negligent contractor, you should know what recourse you may have. In many cases however, it can be difficult to establish negligence. Also, contractors will often try to shift the blame in order to avoid the repercussions. This is why it’s important that you understand these types of cases fully so you know what to do if you become a victim. Here’s how to deal with contractor negligence cases.

What Can be Considered Contractor Negligence?

Contractor negligence is any action or inaction that ends in damage to the property or injury to a worker or a third party. When hiring contractors, you should expect proper duty of care to be taken, but when it isn’t, it constitutes negligence.

Different types of contractor negligence include negligent laborer selection, lack of training, poor instructions to laborers, and lack of safety equipment. Equipment accidents, subcontracting to unqualified third parties, or inadequate experience can also be considered negligence. A contractor could be deemed negligent if they failed to get required permits, tried to cut corners on certain materials in order to reduce costs, or for reckless behavior.

Safety Issues

One of the most common reasons for personal injuries from contractor negligence remains lack of security on site. In many cases, this can result in injury not only to employees, but to bystanders as well.

The only good news in these types of cases is that determining the cause is much easier. However, you will still need a skilled personal injury attorney to handle the case. They also have to be familiar with the rules in your jurisdiction. If you live in Charleston for instance, a firm like Charleston Law will be able to confirm if and where there was negligence, and they will help you establish who is liable.

What About Subcontractors?

While a contractor might be held liable for hiring an unqualified subcontractor, in some cases, the subcontractor themselves might be to blame. Subcontractors also have a responsibility to ensure the security of their employees and the public. They should be held to the same standards as the contractor, and the quality shouldn’t suffer simply because the job was subcontracted.

However, establishing who was responsible between the contractor and subcontractor can lead to confusion. This is where a personal injury lawyer may be able to establish who between the two should be held liable.

Damage to Property

Negligence can also lead to damage to the property. In addition to causing direct damage to your property, the building might not be up to code, which will cost you extra just to make the proper corrections. In these cases, you could also seek damages for any costs that you might have to incur to correct the situation.

Contractor negligence is a very serious issue, and one that is all too common. If you or someone on your property has been a victim, make sure that you consult a qualified attorney immediately who will be able to guide you through the proper course of action.