Last Updated: Sep 2, 2026
Read Time: 8 mins
Were you injured in a construction accident in Nashville, TN?
At Patterson Bray PLLC, we are trusted construction accident lawyers with over 20 years of experience.
If you have been injured on a construction site, an attorney can help you pursue compensation for your injuries and lost wages. Our Nashville, TN construction accident lawyer at Patterson Bray PLLC has represented injured workers and their families for more than 20 years. We handle these claims on a contingency basis, so there are no attorney fees unless we recover for you. Construction cases often involve several responsible parties and tight filing deadlines. Contact our office for a free review of your claim.
Construction Accident Lawyer Nashville, TN
A construction accident claim is a civil case brought by an injured worker or bystander against the parties whose negligence caused a jobsite injury. These cases differ from an ordinary premises claim because a single site may involve a property owner, a general contractor, subcontractors, and equipment suppliers. Sorting out who is responsible takes early investigation.
Tennessee’s construction sector recorded the highest number of workplace deaths of any private industry in 2023, with 42 fatalities, and falls, slips, and trips caused 16 of them, according to Tennessee workplace fatality data. A construction accident attorney in Nashville, TN can help you identify every liable party and build a claim that reflects the full cost of a serious injury.
Types of Construction Accident Cases We Handle in Nashville
Construction sites carry hazards that most workplaces never see. Our Nashville construction accident lawyers handle the full range of injuries at construction sites, from a single-story fall to a fatal equipment failure. A construction fall is not the same as an ordinary slip and fall or trip and fall claim, because a jobsite brings multiple contractors and safety rules into play. Each type of case calls for its own investigation and its own set of records.
- Falls from heights. Falls remain the leading cause of construction deaths, a pattern reflected in OSHA fall hazard guidance. We investigate missing guardrails, unsafe scaffolding, and defective harnesses to determine who failed to protect the worker. Height-related injuries are often severe, and they frequently point to more than one responsible party.
- Scaffolding and ladder collapses. A collapsed scaffold or a defective ladder can drop a worker several stories in an instant. We examine the equipment, how it was assembled, and the company responsible for its inspection. These claims often turn on maintenance records and the decisions made before the worker ever climbed.
- Crane and heavy equipment accidents. Cranes, excavators, and forklifts cause severe crush and impact injuries. When a dump truck or delivery vehicle is involved, the claim can overlap with a truck accident case. We work with reconstruction professionals to trace each failure to operator error, poor maintenance, or a mechanical defect.
- Struck-by object injuries. Falling tools, materials, and debris injure workers on almost every active site, a hazard addressed in OSHA struck-by guidance. We pursue the contractors and suppliers whose lapses put the object in motion. Even a dropped hand tool can cause a serious head injury from a few stories up.
- Caught-in and caught-between accidents. Workers pinned by machinery or trapped in collapsing structures face catastrophic harm, as detailed in OSHA caught-in guidance. These claims require fast evidence preservation before a site is cleared and machinery is moved.
- Trench and excavation collapses. A trench cave-in can bury a worker in seconds. Federal research recorded 373 trench deaths over a recent fifteen-year span, more than 80 percent of them in construction, per NIOSH trench research. We look closely at soil conditions, protective systems, and whether the site was inspected as required.
- Electrocutions. Contact with live wires and unmarked power sources causes burns, cardiac injury, and death. We determine whether the site failed to de-energize equipment or mark buried lines. We also review whether workers received the training the job required. Electrical injuries often leave lasting damage that is not obvious at first.
- Fires and explosions. Gas leaks, combustible materials, and unsecured loads can injure workers and passersby alike. We identify the safety failures behind each event and the parties who allowed the hazard to exist. These cases can also involve product manufacturers when equipment or materials fail.
Why Choose Patterson Bray PLLC as my Construction Accident Lawyer in Nashville, TN?
More Than Two Decades of Injury Litigation
Our founder Chris Patterson serves as managing partner and has handled catastrophic personal injury and general litigation for over 20 years. His recognition by Best Lawyers in America reflects a long record in plaintiff-side injury work. That depth matters when a construction claim turns on complex questions of fault and site safety, and it shapes how we prepare every file. We prepare each claim as if it will be tried, which strengthens our position in settlement talks.
Attorneys Who Understand Construction Claims
Will Patterson concentrates on tort litigation, personal injury, and construction litigation and lien disputes, which gives our clients an advantage in cases that cross into contractor liability. When you need a personal injury lawyer in Nashville, TN with real jobsite experience, that background makes a meaningful difference. Our record of verdicts and settlements reflects years of preparing cases for trial rather than settling for less.
Understanding Construction Accident Cases
Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Construction Accident Cases
A construction injury can produce costs that continue long after the worksite reopens. Tennessee law allows an injured person to recover both economic and non-economic types of damages, depending on the harm suffered.
Liability may rest with more than one party, and a workers’ compensation claim against an employer does not always bar a separate claim against a negligent third party. Common third parties include general contractors who controlled the site, subcontractors whose crews created a hazard, and manufacturers of defective equipment.
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, and future treatment.
- Lost income, covering wages already missed and reduced earning capacity going forward.
- Pain and suffering, for the physical pain and emotional toll of a serious injury.
- Disability and disfigurement, reflecting long-term limitations and permanent scarring.
- Out-of-pocket costs, such as travel to medical appointments and in-home care during recovery.
- Wrongful death losses, when a jobsite injury is fatal and families bring a wrongful death claim.
Recovery usually depends on proving negligence by a contractor, owner, or equipment maker. Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule, which allows recovery as long as the injured person is less than 50 percent at fault, though the award is reduced by that percentage. Insurers often argue that a worker shares blame for an injury, which is one reason documentation of the scene matters so much.
What Are Important Aspects of a Construction Accident Case?
A few elements shape the strength of a construction claim, and each deserves attention from the start. Evidence disappears quickly once a site is cleared, so early action protects your case.
- Identifying every liable party, from the general contractor to a subcontractor or equipment supplier.
- Preserving photographs, incident reports, and equipment before repairs or removal.
- Coordinating a workers’ compensation claim with any third-party lawsuit.
- Documenting the injury with consistent medical treatment from the beginning.
- Reviewing safety records and any prior citations tied to the site or contractor.
Because a construction claim can involve overlapping insurance policies, sorting out coverage early helps avoid delays later.
What Is the Construction Accident Case Timeline?
Every case moves at its own pace, but most follow a familiar sequence. Tennessee generally gives an injured person one year from the date of injury to file suit under the state’s statute of limitations, so the early steps matter.
- Investigation and evidence gathering in the days and weeks after the injury.
- Ongoing medical treatment until your condition stabilizes.
- Filing the claim within the one-year deadline.
- Discovery, where both sides exchange records and take testimony.
- Negotiation, followed by trial if a fair settlement is not offered.
A claim against a government entity can carry a shorter deadline, which is another reason to speak with an attorney promptly.
What Should You Bring to Your Construction Accident Consultation?
Bringing a few documents to your first meeting helps us evaluate your claim quickly and accurately.
- Any incident or accident report from the site.
- Photographs of the scene, the equipment, and your injuries.
- Medical records and bills related to the injury.
- Names of witnesses and any correspondence you have received from an insurer.
- A written account of how the injury happened while the details are still fresh.
During the consultation, we will review what happened, explain your options, and outline the next steps. The meeting is free, and there is no obligation to move forward.
Reach Out to Patterson Bray PLLC to Schedule a Consultation
A construction injury can change your finances and your health for years. Our Nashville construction accident attorneys are ready to review your claim, explain your rights, and handle the insurers while you focus on recovery. We work on a contingency basis, so you owe no attorney fees unless we recover for you. Contact us to schedule your free consultation.
Patterson Bray
20+ Years of Experience
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Nashville & Memphis Offices
Reach out to Patterson Bray and an attorney will follow up with you soon.
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