Subcontractor vs. General Contractor: Who Pays When You’re Hurt on a King County Construction Site?
Getting hurt on a construction site in Issaquah is hard enough. Figuring out who is actually responsible for your injuries can make the situation even more difficult.
Most job sites involve a general contractor overseeing multiple subcontractors. When injuries happen, both sides often point fingers at each other while you’re left dealing with the consequences. Our experienced Issaquah construction accident attorney cuts through the confusion. Find out common ways King County construction site injuries happen and evidence needed to prove liability.
Common Construction Accidents in Issaquah Caused by General Contractor and Subcontractor Negligence
Both general contractors and subcontractors carry legal responsibilities on Issaquah job sites, and either one can create the conditions that lead to a serious accident.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) considers construction a “high hazard” industry, due to the high number of accidental injuries that happen on construction sites each year. Common types of accidents that frequently involve general contractor or subcontractor negligence include:
- Falls from rooftops, scaffolding, or elevated platforms due to missing guards or a lack of other safety protections.
- Getting struck by objects, such as unsecured overhead loads, swinging equipment, or debris.
- Getting caught-in/between unguarded machinery.
- Electrocutions caused by exposed wiring, unguarded power lines, or failure to de-energize electrical systems.
- Trench collapses due to failure to shore excavations or monitor soil conditions during digging.
- Equipment accidents involving forklifts, cranes, or heavy machinery operated without adequate training or supervision.
These and other construction site accidents in Issaquah can cause serious injuries that affect workers and their families for a long time afterward. When the general contractor or the subcontractor is responsible, you have the right to hold them liable for your medical bills, lost income, and other costs.
Evidence Needed to Hold a General Contractor or Subcontractor Liable in an Issaquah Injury Claim
When construction site injuries in Issaquah happen due to contractor or subcontractor negligence, workers can hold them liable for their damages under the Washington Revised Code. However, proving liability in a King County construction site injury claim requires solid evidence. This includes:
- The contract between the two parties, establishing their individual safety responsibilities.
- OSHA inspection records and any prior citations issued against the general contractor or subcontractor for safety violations.
- Daily site logs, safety meeting records, and supervisor reports that show who controlled the area.
- Witness statements from coworkers, bystanders, or other subcontractor employees.
- Photos or videos of the hazard.
- Equipment maintenance records and operator certification documentation.
Active construction sites change fast, and important evidence can disappear. To protect your rights to compensation, get professional legal help today.
Contact Our Experienced Issaquah Construction Accident Attorney
When a King County construction accident happens, both the general contractor and subcontractor may be responsible. At Injury Law Group NW, we gather the evidence needed to prove they were at fault and help you get the compensation you need to recover from your injuries. To speak with our experienced Issaquah construction accident attorney, contact our office today.
Source:
app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=51.24.030
