Construction plays a vital role in Portsmouth’s growth, from waterfront development and downtown renovations to infrastructure upgrades across the Seacoast. While these projects support the local economy, they also expose workers, pedestrians, and nearby residents to serious risks. Construction sites are inherently dangerous, and when safety rules are ignored or responsibilities are unclear, severe injuries can occur.
At Elmore Law Office, our New Hampshire personal injury attorney represents individuals injured due to construction-related hazards in Portsmouth and surrounding communities. Understanding the most common dangers and who may be legally responsible is essential for protecting your rights after an injury.
Why Construction Injuries Are Often Severe
Construction sites involve heavy machinery, elevated work areas, power tools, and constant movement. When something goes wrong, the resulting injuries are often catastrophic rather than minor.
Construction injuries frequently lead to:
- Traumatic brain injuries from falls or falling objects.
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis.
- Crush injuries involving equipment or collapsing structures.
- Amputations caused by machinery or power tools.
- Severe fractures requiring surgery and long-term rehabilitation.
These injuries can prevent victims from returning to work and may permanently change their quality of life.
Common Construction Hazards in Portsmouth
Portsmouth construction sites present unique challenges due to their proximity to historic buildings, narrow streets, and mixed residential and commercial areas.
Some of the most common hazards include:
- Falls from scaffolding, ladders, or roofs.
- Falling tools, debris, or building materials.
- Unsafe or defective equipment.
- Inadequate fall protection systems.
- Electrical hazards from exposed wiring or power lines.
- Trench collapses or unstable excavation sites.
- Poorly marked work zones that endanger pedestrians and drivers.
Many of these hazards are preventable with proper planning, supervision, and safety enforcement.
Understanding Negligence in Construction Injury Cases
Negligence is a legal term meaning failure to act with reasonable care under the circumstances. In construction injury cases, negligence often involves ignoring safety standards, cutting corners, or failing to address known dangers.
To establish negligence, an injured person must show:
- Duty of Care. The responsible party was obligated to maintain a reasonably safe worksite.
- Breach of Duty. That obligation was violated through unsafe actions or omissions.
- Causation. The breach directly caused the injury.
- Damages. The injured person suffered physical, financial, or emotional harm.
Determining negligence on a construction site often requires a detailed investigation into who controlled the work and safety procedures.
Who May Be Liable for Construction Injuries
Construction sites typically involve multiple companies and layers of responsibility. Liability does not always rest with the injured person’s employer.
Potentially responsible parties may include:
- General contractors are responsible for overall site safety.
- Subcontractors whose work created hazardous conditions.
- Property owners who failed to address known dangers.
- Equipment manufacturers are notified when the machinery is defective.
- Maintenance companies are responsible for inspections or repairs.
- Third-party vendors operating vehicles or equipment on site.
Identifying all liable parties is critical to pursuing full compensation, especially in severe injury cases.
Construction Injuries Beyond Workers’ Compensation
In New Hampshire, many construction injuries are handled through workers’ compensation, and Elmore Law Office regularly represents injured workers in these claims. Workers’ compensation can provide essential benefits, including coverage for medical treatment and a portion of lost wages. However, it does not compensate injured workers for pain and suffering, emotional distress, or the full impact of a serious injury.
In some construction injury cases, workers’ compensation is not the only available legal remedy. Injured individuals may also have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit when negligence extends beyond the employer.
Personal injury claims may apply when:
- A third party caused or contributed to the injury.
- Defective equipment or tools played a role in the accident.
- A property owner failed to maintain safe site conditions.
- A subcontractor’s negligence created a hazardous situation.
- The injured person was a pedestrian, visitor, or bystander rather than a worker.
When these circumstances exist, a personal injury claim can provide broader compensation than workers’ compensation alone, helping injured individuals address the full physical, financial, and emotional consequences of a construction-related injury.
The Importance of Early Investigation
Construction sites change quickly. Equipment is moved, hazards are repaired, and evidence can disappear within days. Delaying legal action can make it difficult to prove what caused the injury.
Early investigation helps preserve:
- Photos and videos of unsafe conditions.
- Witness statements from workers or bystanders.
- Safety logs and inspection records.
- Contracts defining responsibility between parties.
- Equipment maintenance and training documentation.
Prompt legal guidance ensures critical evidence is secured before it is lost.
How Elmore Law Office Helps After Construction Injuries
Elmore Law Office understands the complexity of construction injury cases in Portsmouth and throughout New Hampshire. Our firm investigates how the injury occurred, identifies all responsible parties, and builds claims that reflect the full scope of harm.
We work to:
- Determine whether third-party liability exists.
- Hold negligent contractors, property owners, and manufacturers accountable.
- Document long-term medical and financial needs.
- Protect clients from insurance tactics designed to limit recovery.
Our focus is on helping injured individuals move forward with clarity and support.
Contact Elmore Law Office Today
If you were injured on or near a construction site in Portsmouth, your legal options may extend beyond workers’ compensation. Elmore Law Office handles both workers’ compensation and personal injury claims and is prepared to evaluate your case, explain your rights, and seek accountability where negligence played a role.
Contact Elmore Law Office today at (603) 929-1117 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation.