At Ashby Thelen Lowry, our Georgia industrial site injury attorneys know that contractors [play a significant role in factories, power plants, warehouses, and other manufacturing areas throughout the state.
Construction workers, engineers, and maintenance contractors, to name a few, work on industrial sites either as independent contractors or those sent by their employers to work as subcontractors.
Unfortunately, our personal injury attorneys in Georgia know these individuals can get hurt or killed while visiting industrial sites just as quickly as someone who works onsite every day.
Georgia businesses with three or more employees — including full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees, as long as they work regularly for the company — must have workers’ compensation insurance. Many contractors who work for themselves lack this critical coverage, which can harm their physical, emotional, and financial standing if hurt in an industrial incident. Fortunately, they can file a personal injury claim in Georgia, and we can help. In other cases, depending on the circumstances, contractors of companies with workers’ compensation coverage may also be eligible to file a third-party personal injury claim.
Here is what contractors need to know about their rights to file a claim.
Who is Liable for Contractor Injuries on Industrial Sites in Georgia?
Various contractors work on industrial sites in Georgia, each providing specialized services to support construction, maintenance, or facility operations.
When a contractor is injured, liability at industrial sites can be complex and involve multiple parties.
They may include, but are not limited to:
- Property Owners & Occupiers
Property owners and occupiers have a duty to maintain a safe environment for workers and visitors. If a hazardous condition on the industrial site caused or contributed to a contractor’s injury, the property owner or occupier may be liable for negligence under premises liability laws. This could include hazards like unsafe working conditions, defective equipment, inadequate safety measures, or failure to warn of known dangers.
- General Contractors/Subcontractors
Depending on the contractual relationships involved in a construction or industrial project, liability for contractor injuries may also extend to general contractors or subcontractors responsible for managing and overseeing the work at the industrial site. General contractors and subcontractors have a duty to ensure that work is performed safely and in compliance with applicable safety regulations. If negligence or failure to implement proper safety measures contributes to a contractor’s injury, they may be liable for damages.
- Product Manufacturers, Distributors, or Retailers
If a defective product or piece of equipment caused or contributed to a contractor’s injury at an industrial site, the product’s manufacturer, distributor, or retailer may be liable under product liability laws. This could include defects in machinery, tools, safety equipment, or other industrial products used during the work.
- Other Third-Party Claims
In some cases, contractors injured at industrial sites may have grounds to pursue third-party claims against entities other than those listed above. This could include claims against equipment suppliers, maintenance companies, or other third parties whose negligence or wrongful conduct contributed to the damaging incident.
If you have been injured as a contractor because of another person or party’s negligence in Georgia, contact our skilled personal injury lawyers and support team at Ashby Thelen Lowry today at (404) 777-7771 to schedule a free consultation to ensure your rights are protected so you can make informed decisions about the direction of your claim.