When you or a loved one suffers a construction site accident, life changes in an instant. The pain is overwhelming, the financial pressure immediate, and the legal decisions ahead will determine whether your family is protected for years to come.

At Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers, we’ve spent over two decades standing beside construction accident injury victims and their families throughout Green Bay and Northeast Wisconsin, fighting to secure every dollar they deserve.

Contact our workers’ compensation lawyers at Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.

Why Construction Accident Victims in Green Bay Trust Brian Hodgkiss

Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in America. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), one in five worker deaths occurs in construction. The “Fatal Four” account for more than half of all construction fatalities nationwide:

1. Falls
2. Struck-by incidents
3. Electrocutions
4. Caught in/between accidents

In Green Bay, workers face these hazards daily on downtown redevelopment projects, highway corridors, industrial facilities near the Port of Green Bay, and residential developments expanding across the west and east sides of the city.

When those hazards lead to tragedy, families are left navigating workers’ compensation systems, insurance company pressure, and wrongful death claims. That’s exactly the type of situation where our approach makes a difference.

We don’t just process cases. We investigate every angle, identify every liable party, and refuse to accept unfair offers.

What Work Comp Benefits Cover and Where They Fall Short

Wisconsin workers’ compensation provides important protections after a construction accident. Benefits include:

• Full medical coverage for reasonable and necessary treatment
• Temporary disability payments equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage while you recover
• Permanent disability benefits for lasting impairment
• Vocational rehabilitation if you can’t return to construction work
• Death benefits for surviving dependents, including burial expenses and ongoing financial support

Here’s the critical limitation: workers’ compensation does not compensate for pain and suffering, full lost wages, or the profound loss a family experiences when a worker is killed. It covers expenses, not the full human cost. That gap is exactly why understanding third-party liability claims matters so much, and why families who rely solely on workers’ comp often leave significant compensation unclaimed.

Third-Party Liability Claims: Recovering What Workers’ Comp Cannot Pay

Construction sites involve multiple parties, such as general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, and utility companies. When any of those parties’ negligence causes an injury or death, Wisconsin law allows victims to pursue third-party liability claims separate from workers’ compensation. These claims consider full lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium for a spouse, and punitive damages in cases of egregious negligence.

Our team has seen how often families don’t realize a third-party claim exists until it’s too late. A subcontractor’s failure to maintain scaffolding, a manufacturer’s defective equipment, a property owner’s ignored hazard—each of these creates liability beyond the employer.

Common third-party claims in Green Bay construction accidents include claims against:

• General contractors who failed to maintain safe job sites
• Property owners who ignored known hazards
• Equipment manufacturers whose defective tools or machinery caused injury
• Equipment rental companies that provided poorly maintained equipment
• Architects or engineers whose unsafe designs created dangerous conditions
• Utility companies that failed to mark or de-energize power lines
• Negligent vehicle drivers in construction zones

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Construction Site Accident?

Liability in a construction accident rarely falls on just one party.

• General contractors carry a duty to coordinate safety across all trades on a job site. Subcontractors are responsible for their own workers and equipment.
• Property owners who retain control over site conditions can share liability when they fail to address hazards.
• Equipment manufacturers face product liability claims when defective tools, scaffolding, or safety gear contribute to an injury.
• Utility companies can be held accountable when unmarked power lines lead to electrocution.

The key is investigation, and that’s where experience matters. Our team conducts comprehensive site inspections, reviews OSHA reports and citations, interviews witnesses, and consults with safety experts and engineers to identify all parties whose negligence contributed. Because construction accidents frequently involve overlapping claims and multiple insurance policies, identifying all liable parties from the start is essential to maximizing total recovery.

What Should You Do Immediately After a Construction Accident?

The steps taken in the hours and days after a construction accident directly affect both your health and your legal rights. Seek emergency medical care first.

Green Bay has several facilities equipped to handle serious construction injuries:

• HSHS St. Vincent Hospital: Located at 835 South Van Buren Street, St. Vincent is a Level II trauma center offering 24/7 emergency services with specialized care in orthopedics, neurosurgery, and critical care medicine for severe construction-related injuries.
• Bellin Hospital: Situated at 744 South Webster Avenue, Bellin provides comprehensive emergency treatment with expertise in traumatic injuries, including advanced imaging, surgical services, and intensive care units for catastrophic workplace accidents.
• HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center: At 1726 Shawano Avenue, St. Mary’s offers round-the-clock emergency care with specialties in trauma treatment, orthopedic surgery, and rehabilitation services for workers recovering from serious on-site injuries.

Even if your injuries seem minor, get evaluated immediately. Some construction injuries—such as internal bleeding, concussions, or spinal damage—don’t show symptoms right away. Medical records created immediately after your accident become crucial evidence in your claim.

Report the accident to your employer in writing as soon as possible. Wisconsin law requires notice within 30 days, but immediate reporting protects your claim. Document the scene with photos before anything is moved or repaired.

Preserve any equipment or conditions involved. File your workers’ compensation claim promptly and keep copies of everything. Then consult with an attorney before accepting any settlement offer. Remember, once you settle, you typically can’t go back for more, even if your injuries worsen.

Can a Bystander or Passerby Sue After Being Injured at a Construction Site?

Yes. If you were injured on or near a Green Bay construction site as a pedestrian, driver, or bystander, you are not limited by workers’ compensation rules. You can pursue a full personal injury claim against the general contractor, subcontractors, property owner, or any other party whose negligence caused your injury. Non-worker bystanders are often entitled to the full range of damages: medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Construction zones in busy areas such as downtown Green Bay, Highway 41, and Highway 172 corridors pose real risks to the public. Falling debris, unsecured materials, inadequate barriers, and poor site management can injure people nearby. OSHA violations that contribute to those injuries become powerful evidence in a personal injury claim.

How Long Do You Have to File a Construction Accident Claim in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin’s statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims is generally three years from the date of the injury or death. For workers’ compensation claims, the deadline to file is six years from the date of injury or the last payment of benefits. However, waiting diminishes your case. Evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and liable parties have more time to build defenses.

If a loved one was fatally injured, the wrongful death claim must typically be filed within three years of the date of death. Acting quickly also allows us to conduct a thorough investigation while the evidence is still available and OSHA reports are fresh. The sooner you call, the stronger your case will be.

Frequently Asked Questions About Green Bay Construction Accident Claims

Does It Cost Anything to Hire Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers?

No. Our No Fee Guarantee® means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Construction accident cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs, no hourly fees, no financial risk to you or your family.

Can Surviving Family Members File a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal Construction Accident?

Yes. Wisconsin law allows surviving spouses, dependent children (through a guardian), parents, and estate administrators to pursue wrongful death claims against negligent third parties. These claims recover funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of guidance and companionship, and the pain of losing a loved one, and are separate from workers’ compensation death benefits.

What if My Employer Claims I Was at Fault?

Employer and insurance company tactics often include blaming the injured worker, disputing the severity of the injury, or citing pre-existing conditions. These are strategies designed to reduce your payout; they aren’t accurate assessments of liability. We investigate independently, gather OSHA evidence, and counter these tactics with facts.

What if Multiple Contractors Were Involved in the Accident?

This is common on construction sites in Green Bay. We identify all parties (general contractor, subcontractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer) whose negligence contributed to the accident, then coordinate workers’ compensation and third-party claims simultaneously to maximize total recovery.

Is Workers’ Compensation Enough to Support My Family After a Fatal Accident?

Workers’ compensation death benefits provide important support, but they do not replace the full financial contribution your loved one would have made over a lifetime. They also don’t compensate for grief, loss of companionship, or pain and suffering. A wrongful death claim pursued alongside workers’ comp benefits is often the only way to achieve full financial security for surviving dependents.

Contact Our Green Bay Construction Accident Lawyers

Our track record speaks for itself: we’ve recovered millions for injured workers, including a $7.9 million settlement for a client whose initial offer was just $300,000. When insurance companies try to lowball your claim, we fight back.

You and your family deserve full accountability. Talk to Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers today and find out what your workers’ compensation case is worth. Contact us or call today for a free case evaluation. Bank on Brian!