Billings Construction Accident Lawyer

Injured on a Billings construction site? Rimrock Law fights for workers’ rights.

The sound of progress in Billings is everywhere. From the constant growth on the West End and the Shiloh corridor to the revitalization of our historic downtown, construction is a sign of a thriving community. But when the daily hum of machinery is shattered by the sudden, terrifying silence of an accident, your life can be changed in an instant. One moment, you are earning a living or simply passing by a site; the next, you are facing immense pain, mounting medical bills, and a future that feels deeply uncertain.

The physical and emotional trauma can be devastating, and the financial pressure from lost wages and mounting expenses can feel suffocating. You may be getting pressure from your employer or an insurance company to settle quickly, leaving you confused about your rights. 

During this critical time, you need more than just legal advice; you need a compassionate advocate who will stand by your side, protect your interests, and fight for justice on your behalf. You need a Billings construction accident lawyer who understands Montana law and the human cost of these tragic events. The team at Rimrock Law is here to listen to your story and help you understand your options.

Why Choose Rimrock Law for Your Billings Construction Accident Case?

When you are choosing a legal team to represent you after a life-altering injury, trust and experience are paramount. You need to know that the attorneys in your corner have the skill, the resources, and the unwavering commitment to see your case through to the best possible outcome. At Rimrock Law, we have built our reputation on being reliable, trusted advocates for the injured people of Montana. For us, it’s personal.

Here’s why so many families in Billings and across the state have turned to us in their time of need:

• Deep Montana Roots and Experience: We aren't a national firm that treats Montana like just another market. We are Montana’s injury lawyers. We live and work here, and we have a profound understanding of how the state’s legal and workers' compensation systems operate. Our attorneys have successfully handled hundreds of personal injury and workers' compensation cases statewide, giving us the localized insight needed to effectively navigate your claim.
• A Proven Team Approach to Maximize Your Recovery: You benefit from the combined strength of our entire legal team. Attorneys Matthew Braukmann, James Dallner, and Phillip Lorenzo bring decades of collective experience to your case. We collaborate, strategize, and pool our knowledge to explore every possible avenue for compensation. Our track record speaks for itself—our attorneys have recovered over $100 million for our clients. This isn’t just a number; it represents lives rebuilt and futures secured.
• Compassionate Counsel Focused on You: We know that you are going through one of the most difficult times of your life. Our first priority is your well-being. We handle the stress of the legal battle so you don’t have to. As we often tell our clients, “While you focus on healing, we focus on the fight.” We take the time to listen, to understand your concerns, and to keep you informed every step of the way.
• We Are Not Afraid of a Tough Fight: Construction accident cases often involve powerful construction companies, large corporations, and aggressive insurance carriers with deep pockets. They have teams of lawyers dedicated to minimizing or denying your claim. Unlike some firms, we don't back down from a big fight. We are prepared to take on any opponent, no matter how large, to ensure your rights are protected and you receive the full and fair compensation you are owed.

Our mission is to provide you with trusted support to help you navigate the legal process with confidence.

Who May Be Eligible to File a Construction Accident Claim?

After a construction site accident in Billings, it is common to wonder if you even have a case. The reality is that many different individuals who are injured on a construction site may be eligible to seek compensation. It is not limited to just the full-time employees of a single company. Construction sites are complex environments with many moving parts and multiple employers, contractors, and visitors.

Eligibility often depends on your relationship to the worksite and the specific circumstances of your injury. You do not have to make this determination alone. Discussing the details with a legal professional can bring clarity to your situation.

You may have grounds for a claim if you were one of the following:

• A full time or part time construction worker employed by a company.
• An independent contractor or subcontractor working on the site.
• A vendor, supplier, or delivery driver visiting the site for business purposes.
• A site inspector or another authorized visitor.
• A passerby or civilian injured on or near the construction zone due to site negligence.

Understanding your status at the time of the incident is a crucial first step in determining the right path forward for your claim.

Dangers at Construction Sites

Construction work is one of the most dangerous occupations in the country. Workers are constantly exposed to hazards involving heavy machinery, heights, electricity, and unstable materials. While safety regulations exist to protect workers, accidents still happen with alarming frequency due to negligence, lack of training, or cutting corners on safety protocols. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the federal body that sets and enforces these protective standards.

OSHA has identified the four leading causes of death in the construction industry, often called the "Fatal Four." These four types of accidents are responsible for more than half of all construction worker deaths.

The Fatal Four accidents identified by OSHA include:

• Falls: These are the most common cause of fatal construction injuries, often resulting from unprotected scaffolding, ladders, roofs, or floor openings.
• Struck-By Object: This involves injuries from falling tools, swinging crane loads, or debris from demolition.
• Electrocutions: Contact with overhead power lines, exposed wires, and faulty equipment are common causes of these preventable tragedies.
• Caught-In/Between: This category includes horrific accidents where a worker is crushed or compressed between equipment, or caught in collapsing materials or structures.

Beyond the Fatal Four, numerous other hazards exist, including defective power tools, equipment malfunction, exposure to toxic chemicals, welding accidents, fires and explosions, and repetitive motion injuries. Nearly all of these accidents are preventable and occur because a party failed to follow safety regulations and prioritize the well-being of those on and around the site.

Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Construction Accident Claims

If you are a construction worker injured on the job in Montana, your first and most immediate source of benefits is typically workers’ compensation. It is a no-fault system designed to provide medical benefits and wage replacement quickly, regardless of who caused the accident. In exchange for these benefits, you generally cannot sue your direct employer for the injury. However, workers’ compensation often does not cover the full extent of your losses. It does not provide any compensation for pain, suffering, or the emotional toll of a serious injury.

This is where a third-party claim becomes incredibly important. A construction site often has many different companies working at once. While you cannot sue your own employer, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against another negligent person or company on the site whose actions contributed to your injuries. This is known as a third-party claim.

Here is a breakdown of the key differences:

• Workers’ Compensation Claim: This is filed with your employer's insurance. It covers medical bills and a portion of lost wages. It is a no-fault system, but it provides limited benefits and no damages for pain and suffering.
• Third-Party Personal Injury Claim: This is a lawsuit filed against a negligent person or company other than your employer. This type of claim allows you to seek compensation for all of your damages, including medical expenses, all lost income, and the significant impact of pain and suffering.

Successfully pursuing a third-party claim requires proving that another party’s carelessness or negligence caused your accident. This could be a general contractor, a subcontractor, an equipment manufacturer, or a property owner. A Billings construction accident lawyer can investigate your case to identify any and all potential third parties who may be held responsible.

Who May Be Held Liable in a Billings Construction Accident Case?

Determining who is legally responsible for a construction accident is one of the most complex aspects of these cases. As mentioned, job sites are busy places with numerous entities working side by side. The party at fault may not be immediately obvious. A thorough investigation is required to uncover the root cause of the accident and identify all responsible parties. Holding the correct parties accountable is essential to recovering full compensation for your injuries.

Liability can fall on any person or company that had a duty to maintain a safe environment but failed to do so. This failure, or negligence, could involve violating safety codes, providing faulty equipment, or failing to properly supervise workers.

Potential liable parties in a construction accident case could include:

• General Contractors: They have overall responsibility for site safety and the actions of their subcontractors.
• Subcontractors: Another company working on the site may have created the hazard that caused your injury.
• Property and Land Owners: The owner of the site has a duty to keep the premises in a reasonably safe condition.
• Architects and Engineers: If the accident was caused by a flaw in the building's design or structural plans, these professionals could be held liable.
• Equipment Manufacturers: If your injury was caused by defective machinery, a faulty tool, or a safety equipment malfunction, the manufacturer could be responsible.

Identifying all potential sources of liability is a critical task that can significantly impact the outcome of your case.

Billings, Montana Construction Accident FAQs

We know you have many questions right now. Below are answers to some of the common concerns we hear from our clients.

Contact Our Trusted Billings Construction Accident Attorneys Today

You have been through enough. The physical pain, the financial stress, and the emotional weight of a serious injury can be immense. The team of Montana personal injury attorneys at Rimrock Law is here to help you pick up the pieces and fight for the resources you need to rebuild your life. We are committed to standing by our clients, providing compassionate guidance and determined legal advocacy. While you focus on healing, let us focus on the fight.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident in Billings or anywhere in Montana, please contact our lawyers at Rimrock Law at (406) 606-1650 or through our online form. We can provide a free, no-obligation case evaluation to discuss your rights and explore all of your legal options.