Just this year, a serious construction site accident was reported on Orchard Lake Road, near 10 and 11 Mile Roads in Farmington Hills. The accident involved at least one passenger vehicle and a work truck. At least two individuals were killed, and the other two were left severely injured. The workers hadn’t done anything wrong—they were properly equipped and following safety protocols. This situation shows how tragic construction accidents can be.
Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated case. Construction accidents happen every day, and OSHA’s recent statistics state that there were over 1,000 reported construction fatalities in 2023. Furthermore, the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse reports that, since 2020, there has been a steady rise in fatal highway worker injuries involving workers on foot being struck by a vehicle, similar to the incident in Farmington Hills. The National Association of Safety Professionals also suggests that 1 in every 10 construction workers sustain an injury each year in the United States.
When construction accidents happen, the attorneys at Giroux Pappas are ready to fight. If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a construction accident, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
What Are the Most Common Types of Construction Accidents?
Based on MIOSHA’s Top 10 citations report from 2024, the most common types of construction accidents involve hazardous materials or machinery, slips and falls from heights, and struck-by hazards.
Just this month, a construction company based in Farmington Hills received three programmed inspections due to safety complaints—and they’re not the only company. Between 2020 and 2025, over 100 construction companies in Farmington Hills received over 300 health and safety violations.
The statistics show that these cases happen every year, and whether the percentage of violations and citations increases or decreases, the point is that workers are still getting injured, or worse, killed, on-site.
Your Employer’s Responsibility
Construction accidents aren’t always the fault of the employer. In a situation like what happened in Farmington Hills this year, the passenger vehicle was recklessly driven into an unauthorized area. The workers had been following all safety protocols.
Still, construction employers in Farmington Hills are receiving citations every year from MIOSHA. Under OSHA Law, employers are responsible for providing a safe workplace for their employees, and that includes:
- Performing assessments to identify hazards.
- Developing protocols and procedures to address these hazards.
- Providing the appropriate training and re-training on these procedures and protocols to all current and new employees.
- Ensuring protocols and procedures are updated as new hazards are discovered.
- Developing a hazardous communication program if the employees are expected to handle hazardous materials.
- Report and keep a record of any workplace injuries.
- Take corrective action after receiving citations.
Current Construction Projects in Farmington Hills
Construction employees working in the commercial, residential, industrial, and government sectors in Farmington Hills are all at a higher risk of sustaining injuries on-site.
There are still several citywide projects in progress or yet to begin that could result in accidents, such as the one that occurred near 10 and 11 Mile Roads.
These projects include:
- Halstead Road Reconstruction Project (Btw. 8 Mile and 9 Mile Roads)
- Resurfacing Orchard Lake Road from I-696 to West Thirteen Mile Road
- The Great Lakes Water Authority Project (along Haggerty Road/I-275 corridor)
- Middlebelt Culvert Project (near Nine Mile Road)
- 12 Mile Road Resurfacing Project (will start in 2026)
If any accidents occur during these projects, Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys is ready to help injured workers understand their rights and fight for the compensation they deserve.
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FAQs
Navigating any personal injury case can be challenging, but construction site incidents can be particularly complicated because these types of cases can involve multiple parties. Like any legal case, it’s critical to have an experienced attorney by your side to help you understand your rights.
Below are some of the most common questions we’ve received regarding construction injury cases. However, because every case is unique, we always recommend scheduling a free consultation.
Who Can Be Liable in a Construction Accident Case?
Multiple parties could be liable in a construction accident case, depending on the details of the incident. In some cases, the property owner could be liable. In others, it could be the contractor, the subcontractor, equipment manufacturers, the architect, or even the employee.
Michigan’s Common Workplace Doctrine provides some basic guidance for determining liability:
(1) The defendant, either the property owner or general contractor, failed to take reasonable steps within its supervisory and coordinating authority, (2) to guard against readily observable and avoidable dangers (3) that created a high degree of risk to a significant number of workmen (4) in a common work area.
Who Is Responsible for My Accident?
Liability cannot be determined without knowing the full details of your case. Please schedule a free consultation today with our construction accident lawyers.
What Happens If I Was Partially At Fault?
In Michigan, the Comparative Fault rule is used in personal injury cases, including those involving construction site incidents, where multiple parties are found at fault.
Per MCL 600.2959,
The court shall reduce the damages by the percentage of the comparative fault of the person upon whose injury or death the damages are based as provided in section 6306 or 6306a, as applicable. If that person’s percentage of fault is greater than the aggregate fault of the other person or persons, whether or not parties to the action, the court shall reduce economic damage by the percentage of comparative fault of the person whose injury or death the damages are based as provided in section 6306 or 6306a, and noneconomic damages shall not be awarded.
So, if you, as the plaintiff, were found to be partially at fault, you can still sue. However, the court would reduce your awarded damages by the determined percentage of fault.
What Happens If My Accident Left Me Permanently Disabled?
All employers in Michigan are required to provide workers’ compensation. If an incident left you permanently disabled, you are allowed to stay under workers’ compensation for your entire lifetime. Medical treatment will be covered, as long as it’s relevant to the injuries sustained, and you will continue to receive wage loss benefits, although those benefits could be reduced by up to 50% after the age of 65 or when you start receiving social security retirement benefits.
Can I Afford a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Yes. You only pay your attorney if they recover a settlement for you. This is called a contingency fee, and most personal injury attorneys work on contingency, including Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys.
Does It Matter if I’m an Employee, Independent Contractor, or Subcontractor?
Yes, it can matter depending on the details of the case and who is ultimately determined to be at fault or partially at fault for the reported incident.
Who Will Pay for My Medical Treatment?
Workers’ compensation will cover medical treatment if you are injured at work, including on a construction site. If there is a third party involved that was totally or partially negligent, then their insurance would be sued civilly to cover damages. There aren’t any copayments or deductibles.
Can I See My Own Doctor or Will My Company Assign One to Me?
Under Michigan Law, employers have the right to choose a doctor for injured employees for the first 28 days of the injured employee’s treatment. Once that period passes, the employee may choose another doctor, as long as the employer and the insurance company are notified, preferably in writing.
How Do I File a Claim?
The first step is to notify your employer that you’ve been injured because the employer is the party responsible for submitting a claim to the workers’ compensation insurer. We recommend starting this process as soon as possible because knowing the details of the injury is critical, as is getting statements from witnesses. We also recommend seeking help from a personal injury attorney, as there may be a third party involved and that party’s insurance may be needed to cover your care.
When Should I File a Claim?
Construction accident claims fall under personal injury. Under Michigan Law, individuals have three years from the date of the accident or injury to file a personal injury claim. However, we recommend filing a claim as soon as possible while the details are still fresh.