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South Carolina Construction Accident Attorney
A serious construction accident can wreck your health, income, and future, and you should not be the one paying for it.
At the law firm of McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, we fight for construction workers and site visitors injured by someone else’s negligence. We will cut through the red tape and investigate to find out what really happened, so we can go after full compensation for your injury.
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Our Record of Success
- $850,000
- Construction Injury Verdict in Richland County, SC
- This verdict was obtained in Richland County for injuries to a young single male injured on a construction site.
- Construction Injury Verdict in Richland County, SC
- $240,000
- Workers’ Compensation Settlement
- This settlement was obtained for a client injured in a construction site accident, suffering injuries to his neck, back, hip, pelvis, and ribs.
- Workers’ Compensation Settlement
What Are the Different Types of South Carolina Construction Accidents?
Construction sites are dangerous by nature, but most accidents are preventable. The cases we handle involve:
- Falls from heights: Due to missing railings, poor harnessing, or unsecured scaffolding
- Slip and falls: From debris, wet surfaces, or uneven ground
- Falling objects: Tools, materials, or debris dropped from above
- Equipment incidents: Heavy machinery causing crush or backover injuries
- Caught-in/between injuries: Workers pinned by machines, walls, or collapsing structures
- Electrical injuries: From exposed wiring or improper grounding
- Trench or structure collapses: Often from unstable soil or code violations
- Vehicle accidents: Dump trucks, loaders, or other equipment hitting bystanders
We will investigate what happened and build a case that holds the right parties accountable. We have won cases others would not take, because we know where to look.
What Are Common Causes of Construction Accidents?
Most construction site accidents trace back to poor decisions or unsafe practices, such as:
Poor Lighting
Bad lighting makes hazards harder to see, increasing the risk of accidents. If a supervisor failed to keep the site safely lit, they may be liable.
Safety Violations
We regularly see injuries tied to ignored safety rules like missing fall protection or equipment with no guards. These are code violations and grounds for liability.
Inadequate Training
Construction work requires proper training. When unqualified workers are rushed into dangerous roles, the results can be disastrous.
Falls
Falls from ladders, scaffolds, roofs, or into unguarded holes are among the most common and preventable construction injuries. These incidents happen through poor planning, rushed work, or missing safety equipment.
What Injuries Can Result from Construction Accidents?
Our South Carolina construction accident lawyers represent clients who have suffered life-altering harm, the kind that disrupts work, health, family, and independence. Typical injuries include:
Broken or Fractured Bones
Falls and equipment accidents leave workers with shattered limbs, requiring surgery and a long recovery.
Asbestos Exposure
Sharp tools, exposed metal, or broken materials can cause deep wounds, sometimes leading to infection or nerve damage.
Burn Injuries
Caused by fires, hot equipment, chemicals, or electrocution. Severe burns mean skin grafts, scarring, and permanent disfigurement.
Asbestos Exposure
Still a danger in older buildings. Long-term exposure leads to mesothelioma, lung damage, and other serious conditions.
Head Injury
Head trauma causes concussions, brain bleeding, and permanent cognitive issues.
Paralysis
Spinal cord injuries can result in full or partial paralysis, requiring lifelong medical care and assistive equipment.
Loss of Limb
Amputations may follow crush injuries or severe trauma from power tools or collapsed structures.
Wrongful Death
Some workers never make it home. If your loved one was killed in a preventable construction accident, we will pursue justice through a wrongful death claim.
Understanding the “Fatal Four” in Construction AccidentsWhat are the Fatal Four in construction accidents?
OSHA’s “Fatal Four” accidents account for more than half of all construction-related deaths. These incidents are almost always preventable, and we know how to prove who failed to act.
1. Falls
The leading cause of death on construction sites. Most could be prevented with proper fall protection, secure scaffolding, and trained crews.
2. Struck by Object
This includes falling tools, swinging equipment, and vehicle-related strikes. Many happen when crews are rushed or safety zones are ignored.
3. Electrocution
Live wires, improper grounding, and overlooked power sources can cause fatal shocks or severe internal burns, especially in renovation or utility work.
4. Caught-in or Caught-between
These accidents involve machinery, collapsing trenches, or shifting structures that pin or crush the worker.
Who Is Liable for My South Carolina Construction Accident?
Construction accidents in South Carolina (or, indeed, anywhere) involve more than one potentially responsible party. Depending on the circumstances, liability may fall on a general contractor, subcontractor, property owner, site supervisor, or even an equipment manufacturer.
At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, we cut through the chaos. Our legal team conducts thorough investigations to determine who was actually in control, who made the decisions that led to the hazard, and who failed to follow safety protocols. We have handled cases where liability was buried under subcontracting and insurance tactics. We will identify where the breakdown happened and hold the right party accountable.
Third-Party Claims and Workers’ Comp in Construction Accidents
Most injured workers in South Carolina have access to workers’ compensation benefits regardless of who caused the accident, but workers’ comp does not cover everything. Insurance companies routinely delay, deny, or downplay claims.
If someone other than your employer contributed to your injury, like a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner, you may have a third-party personal injury claim for additional compensation. These cases give you legal options to pursue damages beyond the limits of a workers’ compensation claim, including for long-term disability or pain and suffering.
You can pursue both claims at the same time. We have done it for clients statewide. If there is a way to expand your recovery, we will find it and fight for it.
What Should I Do After a Construction Accident in South Carolina?
What you do in the hours and days after an incident can shape your entire construction accident case. If you are physically able, these steps help protect your rights and improve your chances of a full recovery, both medically and financially:
- Get medical care immediately. Even if your injuries seem minor, do not wait. A delay in treatment hurts your health and gives insurers an excuse to question your claim.
- Report the accident to your employer or supervisor. Make sure there is an official record.
- Document the scene and get witness info. Photos, conditions, and contact details can support your claim.
- Do not talk to the insurance company alone. Adjusters may seem friendly, but their job is to limit payouts.
- Call a South Carolina construction accident attorney. The sooner we are involved, the faster we can protect your claim.
What Is My Construction Accident Worth?
Compensation depends on how your life has been affected and how clearly we can prove who is at fault. We look at the total impact: medical expenses, lost wages, future care, disability, and how the injury has changed your ability to live and work.
If your injury keeps you from returning to construction, we calculate that loss in real financial terms. If you have suffered permanent damage, we fight to include every impact. In fatal cases, we pursue wrongful death claims for the family.
Insurance companies want to settle quickly and cheaply. We do not. We build your case with the right documentation and expert input, then make a demand that reflects the full scope of what you have lost.
How Our South Carolina Construction Accident Attorneys Can Help
When you are up against a contractor’s legal team or an insurance company, you need a team that knows how to hit back. We have handled high-stakes construction cases across South Carolina, and we win. Our team knows how to investigate, prove fault, and push back when insurers lowball your claim.
We start by listening. Then we get to work investigating the cause, identifying who is responsible, and building a case that proves it. If the case does not settle fairly, we are ready to take it to court.
You focus on recovery. Let our South Carolina construction accident attorneys handle the rest.
Contact Our Team to Learn More
Injured on a South Carolina construction site? Call us today. Your consultation is free, and our results speak for themselves.