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From new commercial buildings downtown to projects along the U.S. 31 corridor, construction work keeps South Bend growing. However, these job sites are dangerous and often cause a range of accidents: falls from scaffolding, collapsing trenches, being struck by machinery, electrical incidents, and more. Injured workers can feel overwhelmed after an accident that leaves them with months of disability and thousands in medical bills.
If you are in this situation, workers’ compensation may not be your only option. Christie Bell & Marshall brings decades of local experience to the table, focusing on identifying every avenue of financial recovery and fighting to recover the maximum compensation possible in each case. Our South Bend personal injury lawyers understand OSHA standards, contractor obligations, and how multiple companies can share responsibility for conditions on a job site, helping clients build strong, evidence-based cases that stand up to scrutiny from insurers.
After taking on a construction accident case, Christie Bell & Marshall moves immediately to preserve crucial evidence and determine how each company interacted with the hazard that caused your injury. We begin by:
Workers’ compensation generally covers medical bills and wage replacement, but it does not compensate for pain, suffering, or long-term impairment. Those broader damages may be available through a third-party negligence claim. Indiana Code Title 22, Article 8 requires that every employer on a jobsite must maintain reasonably safe working conditions and eliminate recognized hazards that could lead to serious injury or death. If a contractor, subcontractor, or another company breaches this duty, they may be held liable.
By combining statutory analysis, expert evaluation, and on-site investigation, Christie Bell & Marshall builds the kind of fact-driven injury claims insurers cannot ignore.
Speak with a personal injury lawyer today. Call: 317-488-5500
Construction job sites involve numerous companies, each with different contracts and safety responsibilities. That structure creates confusion after an injury because no company wants to accept fault. Common complexities in South Bend include:
Christie Bell & Marshall has spent over 40 years representing injured Indiana workers in construction accident claims, which means our attorneys understand not only the personal injury law but also OSHA regulations, Indiana’s workplace safety statutes, subcontractor indemnity agreements, and the insurance coverage disputes that frequently arise when multiple policies potentially apply. We know how to identify which company controlled the hazard, which one created it, and which one had the legal duty and practical ability to correct it before someone got hurt—critical distinctions that determine whether your claim succeeds or gets dismissed on a technicality before you ever see a dime.
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Indiana’s comparative fault system under Indiana Code § 34-51-2-5 allows injured workers to pursue compensation as long as they are less than 51 percent responsible for the incident. Depending on the circumstances of your case, liability can extend to:
We don’t stop at the first company that admits some involvement—we identify every party whose negligence contributed to what happened, because pursuing multiple defendants dramatically increases the total insurance coverage available and ensures that you’re not left trying to recover a million-dollar injury from a subcontractor with a $300,000 policy.
If you’re unsure how liability works in your case, schedule a free consultation with our South Bend construction accident attorneys. We’ll help you understand your options for pursuing full compensation.
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Construction injuries can be severe due to heavy machinery, elevated work zones, and exposed electrical systems. Our South Bend team has represented workers with:
Because construction work demands physical strength and mobility, even a moderate injury can end a career or require long-term restrictions. We collaborate with orthopedic specialists, neurologists, vocational experts, and surgeons to ensure long-term limitations and future medical needs are included in your compensation claim.
Beyond workers’ compensation benefits, you may qualify for additional damages through a third-party claim. These damages include:
We work with vocational experts who analyze labor market data, your specific skills and education, and the physical demands of construction work to explain to juries exactly why a 45-year-old electrician with a spinal cord injury can’t simply “find another job” and why losing twenty years of peak earning capacity is worth several million dollars in compensation.
Attorney Lee Christie frequently reminds construction clients that documenting the physical and financial impact of the injury is critical:
“Insurers scrutinize construction claims more aggressively than almost any other injury type because the damages are so high. When we represent construction workers, we make sure every medical appointment is documented, every work restriction is clearly stated by treating physicians, and every category of loss is supported by expert testimony that insurers can’t dismiss. That level of preparation is what forces adjusters to pay full value rather than risk trial, and it’s what helps our clients receive the compensation their injuries actually require, not just what workers’ comp provides.”
When you contact Christie Bell & Marshall, our attorneys examine your accident report, medical records, company safety policies, and site documentation to identify liability and the full range of damages you can recover. We manage communication with every insurer involved, coordinate expert evaluations, and build a strategic case designed to secure the compensation your injuries require. This approach mirrors the strategies that led to the strong outcomes you see in our case results.
If you were hurt on a job site in South Bend, contact us today for a free consultation. A construction accident lawyer from our team will help you protect your rights under Indiana law and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Start by reporting the injury to your supervisor and requesting medical attention. If you are able, take photos of the hazard, your injuries, and the surrounding area before the scene changes. Collect the names of coworkers or subcontractors who witnessed the event, and call an attorney.
Property owners can be held responsible if a hazard existed on the premises before construction began or if they failed to correct dangerous conditions they knew or should have known about.
Most construction accident lawsuits must be filed within two years of the injury, according to Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4. Claims involving government entities may require a notice of tort claim within just 180 days. It’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible so that statutory deadlines and evidence preservation needs are addressed simultaneously.
Yes. Many construction injuries occur in isolated areas or involve falls where the worker is alone. We rely on physical evidence such as tool placement, debris patterns, defective equipment, time-stamped photos, and medical findings to explain what occurred. A lack of eyewitnesses does not prevent a successful claim when the cause is supported by documentation and expert analysis.
“From my first telephone conference with Mr. Christie to the settlement of my case, I found Lee and his office staff to be professional, courteous, and extremely helpful. Mr. Christie is professional, very knowledgeable, thorough, and realistic.”
“Tina Bell is the best. She continued to pursue the case resulting in an agreeable settlement.”
“Lee Christie represented my parents after an auto accident and he was wonderful! He always answered any questions or concerns we had and I would recommend him to anyone!”
“Lee Christie and Jill DuVall were very compassionate and caring in a stressful situation. They always answered our questions promptly, sometimes very late in the evening.”
“They were professional, yet very personally involved in our case. After hiring them, I felt a huge weight lifted from my shoulder so I concentrate on taking care of my husband.”
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