Construction Accident Attorney in Traverse City

Over 45 Years of Combined Experience. Millions Recovered for Injured Clients Across Northern & Western Michigan.

Construction accidents happen on residential builds, road crews, renovation projects, and utility worksites across Northern Michigan, not just large commercial sites. When they do, the injuries are often severe and the legal questions immediate: who is responsible, what coverage applies, and what happens to your income while you recover. At Miller Embury PLLC, we handle construction accident cases for injured workers and their families throughout the region, drawing on over 45 years of combined personal injury experience and a record of recovering millions in settlements and jury verdicts.

We take these cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no legal fees unless we win, and your first consultation is free.

If you or a family member was injured on a construction site in Traverse City or anywhere in Northern or Western Michigan, call us now at (888) 224-1239 to speak with a member of our team.

Who May Have a Construction Accident Claim

Construction accident claims aren’t limited to workers employed directly on a site. The following people may have valid legal claims depending on the circumstances:

• Direct employees working for a general contractor or subcontractor on the site
• Subcontractor employees from other trades sharing the same work area
• Independent contractors, depending on how control over the work was exercised and whether third-party negligence was involved
• Bystanders and pedestrians injured near an active construction zone
• Surviving family members in cases where a worker was killed on the job

Michigan workers’ compensation covers most employees injured on the job, but coverage and claim options vary based on facts specific to each worker’s situation. If you’re unsure whether you have a claim, a free consultation can clarify your options without any obligation.

The Most Dangerous Hazards on a Construction Site

OSHA identifies four leading causes of construction fatalities, known as the Fatal Four: falls, struck-by incidents, electrocution, and caught-in or caught-between incidents. Together, these categories account for the majority of construction deaths each year. In 2023, nearly 20% of all worker fatalities in the United States occurred in construction.

Each hazard type produces distinct and often catastrophic injuries:

• Falls from scaffolding, ladders, roofs, or elevated platforms are among the most frequent causes of severe construction injuries and deaths
• Struck-by incidents involve tools, materials, or equipment falling from above or swinging into a worker’s path
• Electrocution can result from contact with overhead power lines, exposed wiring, or improperly grounded equipment
• Caught-in or caught-between hazards include machinery entanglement, trench collapses, and being pinned between equipment and a fixed structure

Resulting injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, severe burns, crush injuries, and broken bones. In the most serious cases, fatalities occur, and surviving family members may have wrongful death claims.

How Michigan Law Governs Construction Accident Claims

Michigan workers’ compensation, governed by the Michigan Workers’ Disability Compensation Act, is the exclusive remedy against a direct employer for on-the-job injuries. It covers medical treatment and partial wage replacement, but it doesn’t compensate for pain and suffering or full lost earnings. Injured workers must report the injury to their employer within 90 days and file a claim within two years.

Third-Party Personal Injury Claims

When someone other than the direct employer contributed to the accident, a separate third-party personal injury claim may be available. Third-party claims can pursue compensation that workers’ compensation doesn’t cover, including pain and suffering, full wage loss, future care costs, and other damages. Potentially liable third parties include:

• General contractors who controlled the worksite
• Other subcontractors whose work or employees created the hazard
• Property owners who failed to maintain safe conditions
• Equipment manufacturers when a defective product contributed to the injury

Michigan’s common work area doctrine is a legal rule that can hold a general contractor liable for hazards in areas shared by multiple trades, subject to specific elements a plaintiff must prove. It can extend liability even to parties who didn’t directly employ the injured worker. The statute of limitations for third-party personal injury claims is generally three years from the date of injury, though product liability claims against manufacturers may carry different deadlines. Workers’ compensation and third-party claims can be pursued at the same time. This is general legal information; the specifics of your situation determine which claims apply.

Why Construction Accident Victims in Traverse City Work with Us

Construction accident cases often involve multiple parties, overlapping legal theories, and insurers moving quickly to limit liability. Evidence disappears fast. Getting an attorney involved early can preserve documentation, protect your claim’s value, and help identify available legal theories before deadlines close them off.

We handle both personal injury and workers’ compensation matters, which means we evaluate the full picture of what an injured client may be owed rather than just one piece of it. When settlement offers don’t reflect what our clients deserve, we take cases to court. Our offices in Traverse City and Ludington serve clients across Northern and Western Michigan, and we’ve secured millions in settlements and jury verdicts for the people we represent.

Start with a Free Consultation

You shouldn’t have to navigate insurance adjusters, employer reporting requirements, and legal deadlines on your own after a serious injury. We’re available 24/7, there’s no fee unless we recover for you, and your first consultation is free.

Contact our construction accident attorneys in Traverse City by phone at (888) 224-1239 or through our online contact form to schedule your free case evaluation.