How Our Bloomington Construction Accident Lawyers Build Your Case

Job site accidents trigger a race to control the narrative. And once cleanup crews arrive and work resumes, the physical proof of what went wrong can vanish within hours, leaving you with nothing but conflicting statements and a general contractor’s carefully sanitized version of events that conveniently omits the missing fall protection, inadequate training, or defective equipment that actually caused your injury.

At Christie Bell & Marshall, we’ve seen this pattern play out in construction cases across Indiana for over 40 years, which is why our Bloomington construction accident team treats the first 48 to 72 hours after an injury as the most critical window for building a winnable claim. Our immediate case-building process includes:

  • Securing employer incident reports, safety meeting notes, and subcontractor logs.
  • Requesting 911 audio, police reports, and fire department documentation if emergency responders were called.
  • Photographing and filming the hazard before repairs or cleanup activities occur.
  • Reviewing equipment manuals, rental agreements, and maintenance records for machinery or tools involved in the accident.
  • Identifying all contractors present on the job site, including the general contractor, property owner, safety consultant, equipment rental company, and any engineering or design professionals.

Indiana’s workplace-safety responsibilities are governed by Indiana Code Title 22, Article 8, which outlines the duty to maintain safe conditions and protect workers. When violations occur, such as a lack of fall protection, poorly secured scaffolding, unshored trenches, or hazardous electrical exposure, liability may extend well beyond your employer. 

Your attorney will use these statutes and construction-industry standards to document exactly how the unsafe condition developed. With this evidence, we can pursue a third-party negligence claim that seeks compensation not available through workers’ compensation alone (including pain, suffering, permanent disability, and diminished earning capacity).

Speak with a personal injury lawyer today. Call: 317-488-5500

Why Construction Accident Cases in Bloomington Are More Complex

Most people assume construction accident claims work like car accident cases—determine who was negligent, file a claim against their insurance, negotiate a settlement, and move on. But construction injuries involve fundamentally different legal structures, with layers of corporate relationships, insurance coverage disputes, contractual indemnity provisions, and concurrent workers’ compensation claims that create complexity most personal injury attorneys have never encountered. Bloomington construction projects typically operate under multi-tier contractor arrangements where a general contractor hires specialized subcontractors for electrical, plumbing, concrete, roofing, and other trades, each bringing their own crews, equipment, insurance, and (often conflicting) safety protocols.

When an injury occurs in this environment, every company immediately retreats behind contract language claiming they weren’t the “controlling employer” for the specific hazard, didn’t create the condition, had no authority to correct it, or assigned safety responsibility to another entity through subcontractor agreements. We often deal with:

  • Multiple contractors with overlapping duties, each claiming the other created the danger.
  • Equipment from outside vendors which introduces rental companies or manufacturers into the liability analysis.
  • Conflicting safety policies, where a general contractor’s rules differ from the subcontractor’s training materials.
  • Premises hazards, such as unstable ground or unsafe access routes on property owned by a separate entity.
  • High-risk tasks, including roofing, demolition, excavation, scaffolding, and heavy-equipment operations.

We know how to cut through the corporate finger-pointing, identify the parties who actually controlled the hazard and had legal responsibility to correct it, and build claims that survive summary judgment motions and force insurers to pay fair settlements rather than risk trial.

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Who Is Liable After a Bloomington Construction Site Accident

Workers often assume only their employer is responsible, but many construction injuries involve third-party negligence. These claims are separate from workers’ compensation and allow you to recover additional damages. Responsible parties may include:

  • General contractors, if they fail to enforce safety rules across the job site.
  • Subcontractors whose unsafe work creates risks for other crews.
  • Property owners who ignore or fail to warn about dangerous conditions.
  • Equipment manufacturers, if defective machinery or tools contributed to the injury.
  • Engineering or design firms, if structural or design errors create hazards.

Your construction accident attorney at Christie Bell & Marshall will analyze contractual obligations, inspection logs, and OSHA-related documentation to determine exactly who controlled the unsafe condition. This way, we can identify all potentially liable parties and craft a targeted legal strategy to maximize compensation for injured workers.

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Damages You Can Recover After a Construction Accident

Indiana’s workers’ compensation system operates on a straightforward formula—it pays all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your work injury, plus temporary total disability benefits equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage (capped at a statutory maximum) while you’re unable to work, and if you’re left with permanent impairment, you receive a scheduled award based on the body part injured or a percentage of permanent partial disability if your injury doesn’t fit the schedule. 

Workers’ compensation covers medical treatment and partial wage replacement, but a third-party negligence claim allows additional recovery. Depending on your injuries, damages may include:

  • Medical expenses: Costs for hospital stays, surgeries, medications, diagnostic tests, and ongoing treatments like physical therapy required due to the injury.​
  • Rehabilitation and physical therapy: Expenses related to therapies and programs aimed at restoring physical functions and helping recovery post-injury.​
  • Lost income and reduced earning capacity: Compensation for wages lost during recovery and potential future income loss due to permanent impairment or disability.​
  • Pain and suffering: Damages for physical pain, mental and emotional distress, and limitations on everyday activities caused by the injury.​
  • Costs of home modifications or assistive equipment: Expenses for adapting living spaces or purchasing equipment.
  • Permanent impairment damages: Compensation for lasting physical limitations or disabilities that affect the injured person’s lifestyle and abilities.​

Attorney Lee Christie has represented injured Indiana construction workers throughout his decades of practice, and he consistently emphasizes that thorough medical documentation separates strong construction claims from weak ones:

“Insurers know that construction injuries are expensive, which is why they scrutinize these claims more aggressively than almost any other injury type. When we represent construction workers, we make sure every work restriction is documented in writing by treating physicians, every limitation is explained in functional terms that juries can understand, and every category of future need is supported by expert testimony that defense attorneys can’t dismiss. That preparation is what forces general contractors and their insurers to pay fair settlements rather than risk verdicts that could run into the millions, and it’s what ensures our clients receive compensation that actually covers their needs for decades to come, not just the limited benefits that workers’ comp provides.”

Start Your Bloomington Construction Accident Claim Today

When you contact Christie Bell & Marshall after a Bloomington construction accident, your attorney will review your incident report, medical records, site photos, subcontractor agreements, and equipment information to identify every responsible party. We also handle communication with contractors and insurers, coordinate expert evaluations, build a case anchored in Indiana law, and fight for maximum compensation on your behalf.

If you were hurt on a Bloomington construction site, you can contact us for a free consultation. A lawyer from our team will review your case, document your full losses, and pursue the compensation your injuries require.

FAQs About Construction Accidents in Bloomington

What should I do immediately after a construction accident in Bloomington?

Report the injury to your supervisor, request medical care, and document the hazard by taking photos of the location and collecting coworker names. Once your safety is addressed, speak with a Bloomington construction accident lawyer so evidence, contracts, and safety records can be preserved before contractors make repairs.

Can I sue another contractor or property owner if workers’ compensation is already covering my bills?

Yes. Workers’ compensation covers medical treatment and wage replacement, but it does not provide compensation for pain, suffering, or long-term disability. If a subcontractor created the hazard, if a property owner failed to maintain safe premises, or if defective equipment contributed to the injury, you may pursue a third-party negligence claim for broader damages.

How do I know who is responsible for unsafe conditions on my construction site?

We examine subcontractor agreements, maintenance logs, safety-meeting records, and communication between contractors to determine who controlled the hazard. If another company failed to follow these obligations, they may be liable in addition to your employer.

What if I was partly at fault for the accident?

As long as you are less than 51 percent responsible, you can pursue damages under Indiana’s comparative fault system. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

How long do I have to file a construction accident claim in Indiana?

Most injury lawsuits must be filed within two years under Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4. Claims involving city or state construction projects may require a much earlier tort claim notice. Contacting a lawyer early ensures you don’t miss any important deadlines.