What We Handle
Construction Injury
After an injury on a construction site.
What construction injury actually means
A construction injury case arises when someone is hurt because of unsafe conditions, unsafe equipment, poor supervision, or careless work on a construction site. These cases can involve workers' compensation, but they may also involve claims against other responsible companies.
Construction work is dangerous. But that does not excuse preventable safety failures. If someone other than your direct employer caused or contributed to the injury, you may have a third-party claim for full damages beyond what workers' comp provides.
What it takes to have a case
1. Duty
A contractor, subcontractor, owner, or other responsible party had a duty to provide reasonably safe conditions and follow OSHA safety standards.
2. Breach
That duty was broken by unsafe practices, bad equipment, ignored hazards, or failure to follow safety rules.
3. Causation
That failure caused the accident and your injuries.
4. Damages
You suffered real harm — medical bills, time away from work, disability, pain, or long-term limitations.
What we handle within construction injury
Every situation is different. Here are the most common types we see.
Falls from Height
Scaffold, ladder, roof, or platform falls.
Struck-By Accidents
Workers hit by tools, debris, or equipment.
Machinery and Equipment Failures
Unsafe or poorly maintained equipment caused injury.
Electrical Injuries
Contact with live wires or unsafe site conditions.
Collapse and Trench Cases
Structural failures or excavation incidents.
Missouri vs. Kansas: the rules that matter
Kansas City straddles the state line. Which state's law applies depends on where the incident occurred.
Missouri
- •Workers' comp: no-fault — RSMo § 287.120
- •Third-party personal injury: 5 years — RSMo § 516.120
- •Third-party claims allow full damages including pain/suffering — RSMo § 287.150
- •OSHA violations treated as evidence of negligence
Kansas
- •Workers' comp under KSA § 44-504
- •Third-party action must be filed within 1 year of injury
- •Personal injury SOL: 2 years — KSA § 60-513
- •Failure to file third-party claim within 1 year may assign claim to employer
Not sure which state's rules apply? Tell us where it happened →
What an investigation looks like
Initial conversation — We get a clear picture of how the incident happened.
Evidence collection — Incident reports, site photos, witness statements, safety records, and employer information.
Liability review — We look at workers' comp issues and whether third-party claims may exist.
Medical and wage review — We document treatment, work restrictions, and lost income.
Demand or filing — We pursue the right path based on the facts.
Resolution — Settlement, mediation, or trial.
What it costs
Yonke Law works on a contingency basis. There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you. The percentage is agreed in writing before any work begins. Your initial consultation is always free. No hourly rates. No retainers. No surprise bills.
What a construction injury case is actually worth
There's no honest one-line answer. Value depends on the facts of your situation.
Economic Damages
- •Medical expenses beyond workers' comp coverage
- •Full lost wages and earning capacity
- •Vocational rehabilitation
- •Adaptive equipment and home modifications
Non-Economic Damages
- •Pain and suffering (not available through workers' comp)
- •Permanent disability
- •Loss of enjoyment of life
- •Emotional distress
A consultation gives you a real assessment based on your situation — not a stock answer.
Who You'll Work With
Michael T. Yonke
AV Preeminent rated. Extensive experience with third-party construction site claims, OSHA violations, and multi-defendant liability.
Mike founded Yonke Law in 2001 after years of seeing how large firms treated the people they were supposed to protect. Every case at Yonke Law is handled directly by Mike and his team — not passed to associates or outsourced to contract attorneys.
When it comes to construction injury, Mike brings decades of focused trial experience, a network of trusted medical and technical experts, and a straightforward approach: understand the facts, build the case, and prepare for trial even if the goal is settlement.
More about Mike and the team →Common questions
Is this only a workers' comp case?
Not always. Some construction injury cases involve separate claims against third parties — general contractors, equipment makers, or property owners.
Who besides my employer might be responsible?
Depending on the facts, it could include a general contractor, subcontractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer.
What if OSHA cited the worksite?
OSHA violations are strong evidence of negligence. They can help establish that a third party failed to maintain safe conditions.
Printable
Personal Injury Checklist
Essential steps to protect your health, your rights, and your claim. Covers what to gather, who to contact, and the deadlines that matter for your construction injury case.
Download the checklist (PDF) ↓Or — Walk Through It Digitally
Start Your Case Review
Answer a few questions about your situation. Your responses are saved and become the start of your case file if you proceed.
Start the digital intake →Ready to talk about your construction injury case?
Free consultation. No fee unless we recover.
