Article Reviewed by a licensed insurance professional: Sam Meenasian (CA dept of insurance license #0F75955).
Estimated reading time: 1 minute
Construction ain’t a desk job. Nothing against desk jobs, of course. But when things go wrong in construction, it won’t be just a papercut.
The work builds communities. But accidents happen. Quick. Even suddenly.
No matter how sharp your crew (or strict your safety practices)
In construction, many businesses may have requirements to carry certain types of coverage, often General Liability insurance and workers’ comp if you have employees as defined by your state’s rules. Even if you’re just a subcontractor supplying a sidewalk shed or just dismantling after the main project is done. So let’s strap in and look at what could happen when things go wrong and how insurance could (at least try) to make it right for your business.
1. Falls from Heights (Scaffolding, Sidewalk Sheds, Roofing Work)
Falls in construction ruin lives. It’s never a good story when a worker falls. New York has an unusual labor law §240 (the ‘Scaffold Law’) that may impose strict/absolute liability on owners and general contractors for certain elevation‑related injuries. Other states typically rely more on negligence standards and workers’ compensation rules and regulations.
Being pulled into a lawsuit is common in the construction industry, although coverage provided under General Liability depends on allegations, policy terms, and endorsements.
2. Struck-by Incidents
On a crowded site, things are flying. Everywhere!
Tack on workers being tired after a long day (or negligent employer practices that no one likes to admit to), and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
You’ll need coverage when a tool falls from a scaffold, hitting someone on the head, causing a concussion. Or even worse, a passerby.
Inspect your job sites regularly to confirm your workers are wearing their hard hats. It keeps them safe and may also help during underwriting and loss‑control reviews.
3. Electrocutions
Electricity is running through construction sites all over. So it’s no wonder they account for a significant portion of construction site injuries and deaths. High voltage, high heights, it’s a dangerous situation.
Sometimes it’s a live wire that wasn’t grounded. Sometimes it’s a drill contacting a hidden line.
Devastating either way. Since the injury risk is high and the damages associated with these injuries could easily reach six figures, you’ll need coverage in place.
4. Slips, Trips, and Falls (On The Ground)
They sound minor. But if you’ve spoken to a slip and fall victim, you may know already how serious things could go wrong.
Slippery surfaces on the job sites could cause serious injuries:
- ACL Tweaks
- Broken Legs
- Shattered Knee Caps
- TBI’s
- Spinal Damage
So, yeah, make sure to keep your floors safe on the job.
Plus, members of the public could slip or trip near construction sites. When that happens, they may sue multiple parties—even after you’ve finished your scope of work (completed operations exposure).
5. Caught-In or Caught-Between Accidents
If you’re using heavy machinery, you need to follow every safety precaution. I’ve seen even trivial things like long-sleeve t-shirts cost my clients hundreds of thousands. When clothes are loose, they could get stuck in operating machines. The results are never pleasant.
6. Contract Requirements and Certificates
Many contracts or projects may require a Certificate of Insurance plus specific endorsements, commonly Additional Insured, Primary & Noncontributory, Waiver of Subrogation, and per-project endorsements. Requirements may vary by state, project, and trade. Treat this as part of your bid process, not an afterthought.
USA Business Insurance–For Your Commercial Insurance Needs
Seems like a ton of accidents to handle? We know. In fact, we’ve been doing this for decades.
If you’re a contractor who needs an affordable option, you’re in the right place. We know how injuries could derail an uninsured business. But we’ll match you to the right carrier to keep you covered when disaster strikes.
Your business and employees will be better off if you’re properly insured.
