Best Construction Accident Lawyers in Muttenz

About Construction Accident Law in Muttenz, Switzerland

Construction work in Muttenz takes place within the Swiss legal framework and the cantonal rules of Basel-Landschaft. If a worker, site visitor, or passerby is injured on or near a construction site, several bodies of law can apply at the same time. These include mandatory accident insurance for employees, workplace safety regulations for construction activities, civil liability rules for negligent acts or omissions, and in serious cases criminal law for negligent bodily injury.

Most construction employees in Muttenz are mandatorily insured against occupational and non-occupational accidents. After a work accident, medical costs and a portion of lost earnings are typically covered by the accident insurer, often SUVA for the construction sector or another approved accident insurer. In parallel, injured people may have additional civil claims against parties who failed to keep the site safe, such as general contractors, subcontractors, site owners, supervisors, planners, or equipment suppliers.

Because multiple parties and systems are involved, construction accident cases often require careful coordination of insurance benefits, liability claims, medical assessments, and strict procedural deadlines.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may benefit from legal advice in any of the following situations.

There is a dispute about whether the event is an accident covered by mandatory accident insurance, including disagreements about natural and adequate causation.

Your daily allowance, degree of work incapacity, or the calculation of insured earnings is contested.

Your insurer reduces or stops benefits, or issues a decision you want to challenge.

You may have third-party claims for damages or moral compensation against a contractor, site owner, or manufacturer while your insurer asserts subrogation rights.

The accident involved serious or complex injuries such as spinal trauma, head injury, or chronic pain, which often require expert medical assessments that insurers and courts rely on.

Liability is shared among multiple actors on a multi-employer construction site and you need to identify the correct defendants and their insurers.

You are a cross-border worker, a temporary agency worker, or self-employed and need to clarify coverage and benefits.

You face return-to-work issues, accommodations, or termination during a protected period and want to understand your employment rights.

You need to preserve evidence quickly, negotiate with insurers, or file appeals within short deadlines.

Local Laws Overview

Mandatory accident insurance UVG-LAA. Employees in Switzerland who work at least a minimal weekly schedule are mandatorily covered by accident insurance. In the construction sector, coverage is often with SUVA. Benefits typically include medical treatment, rehabilitation, daily cash benefits in case of temporary incapacity, disability pensions for permanent loss of earning capacity, and integrity compensation for lasting physical or mental harm. Insurers may also finance reintegration measures.

Workplace safety rules for construction. Construction sites must follow strict Swiss safety regulations, including the ordinance on safety and health protection for construction work and binding guidelines issued by the national commission for safety at work and by SUVA. Duties cover risk assessments, fall protection, scaffolding and trench safety, crane and lifting operations, machine guarding, electricity, hazardous substances, personal protective equipment, and coordination among multiple employers.

Civil liability under the Swiss Code of Obligations. If a contractor, employer, site owner, planner, or supervisor breaches a duty of care and causes injury, they can be liable for damages. Employers can be liable for employees they supervise. Multiple responsible parties can be jointly and severally liable to the injured person. Typical civil claims include uncovered loss of earnings, household damage, care costs not paid by insurance, and moral compensation for pain and suffering where justified. The accident insurer may recoup benefits from liable third parties through subrogation.

Employment law protections. Employees medically incapacitated due to an accident benefit from protected periods during which termination is not permitted. Employers have duties to report accidents, cooperate with the insurer, and comply with safety regulations. Company sick pay arrangements and collective bargaining agreements may add protections.

Criminal law. Serious or fatal accidents may trigger a police investigation and a prosecutor may examine whether safety rules were breached leading to negligent bodily injury. A criminal process can run in parallel to insurance and civil matters.

Procedures and deadlines. Accident insurers issue written decisions that can be objected to within a short period, commonly 30 days. Further appeals go to the competent social insurance court in the canton. Civil claims have limitation periods that can be as short as three years from knowledge of damage and liable person and ten years from the event, subject to specific rules. Keeping an eye on all time limits is essential.

Cantonal oversight. In Basel-Landschaft, the cantonal labor inspectorate supervises workplace safety compliance on construction sites. Municipal authorities may also be involved in building permits and site inspections, and public bodies can have specific liability rules when public works are involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a construction accident in Muttenz

Get medical help first and ensure the site is safe. Report the accident to your employer as soon as possible. Ask that a formal accident report be made and request copies. If you can, take photos of the scene and your injuries, note names of witnesses, and keep all medical and expense records. Inform the accident insurer without delay and ask how to file the claim.

Who pays my medical bills and lost wages

Mandatory accident insurance typically covers reasonable medical treatment and pays a daily cash benefit if you are temporarily unable to work. The daily benefit is usually a percentage of your insured earnings, subject to legal caps, and typically starts from the third day. Check with your employer and insurer for exact amounts and timing. If a third party is liable, you may also have civil claims for losses not covered by insurance.

Can I choose my own doctor

In most cases you can choose your treating doctor. Some insurers may direct you to network providers for certain services or assessments. Always inform your doctor that the injury is a work accident so billing goes to the accident insurer rather than the health insurer.

What if I am a temporary agency worker or subcontractor

Temporary agency workers are generally insured through the employer of record, typically the agency. Subcontractor employees are insured by their own employer. Site coordination duties still apply to all companies on the site. If coverage is uncertain, ask your employer for the accident insurer details and consult a lawyer to avoid gaps.

I am self-employed on a construction site. Am I covered

Self-employed persons are not automatically covered by mandatory accident insurance and should arrange voluntary accident insurance that mirrors employee coverage. If you are self-employed and injured, check your policies immediately and seek legal advice about potential claims against other responsible parties.

Can I be dismissed while I am off work due to a construction accident

Swiss law provides protected periods during which an employer may not terminate employment while you are incapacitated due to illness or accident, depending on the length of your employment. Outside those periods, termination can still be abusive in some circumstances. Always keep medical certificates up to date and seek legal advice if you receive notice.

The insurer denied or reduced my benefits. What can I do

Insurers issue formal decisions that you can object to within a short deadline, commonly 30 days from receipt. You can submit medical evidence, witness statements, and legal arguments. If the insurer maintains its position, you can appeal to the competent social insurance court in Basel-Landschaft. A lawyer can help prepare objections, obtain expert opinions, and manage deadlines.

Do I have a claim against the general contractor or site owner

You may have a civil claim if their breach of safety duties caused your injury. Claims can include uncovered loss of income, household or care costs, and moral compensation. Your accident insurer may recover some of what it paid from the liable party. Identifying all responsible actors and coordinating with the insurer is important to avoid double recovery and missed claims.

What compensation is available for permanent injuries

If you have a lasting reduction of earning capacity, the accident insurer may grant a disability pension based on the degree of disability. You may also receive an integrity compensation for permanent impairment. In civil law, you may seek additional damages and moral compensation from responsible parties where the law allows.

Are there strict deadlines I should know about

Yes. Objections to insurer decisions usually must be filed within about 30 days. Civil claims generally have limitation periods that can be as short as three years from when you know of the damage and the responsible person, with an absolute limit that is typically ten years. Other special periods can apply. Act early and get legal advice to protect your rights.

Additional Resources

SUVA customer service and regional offices for accident claims and prevention guidance.

Your companys accident insurer if not SUVA, as listed on your employment documents or by your employer.

Cantonal labor inspectorate of Basel-Landschaft for workplace safety concerns and accident reporting guidance.

Basel-Landschaft social insurance court for appeals in accident insurance matters.

Victim support services in the region for psychosocial assistance after serious accidents.

Professional associations in the construction sector for safety training and best practices.

Next Steps

Seek medical attention and keep all records, certificates, and bills. Report the accident to your employer and insurer without delay and ask for written confirmation and a claim number.

Document everything. Take photos, collect witness details, and preserve any equipment or PPE involved if feasible. Keep a diary of symptoms and work incapacity.

Request and review the insurers decisions promptly. Note the date you receive each decision and diarize objection deadlines.

Consult a lawyer experienced in construction accidents in Basel-Landschaft. Ask about strategy, evidence, likely timelines, and costs. Pure contingency fees are generally not permitted in Switzerland, but legal expense insurance or legal aid may be available in eligible cases.

Coordinate claims. Ensure your accident insurance benefits, any civil liability claims, and employment issues are handled in a consistent way that protects your rights and meets all time limits.

If you are a cross-border worker, inform your lawyer and insurer about your residence and any foreign treatment to manage coverage and reimbursement correctly.

Focus on recovery. Follow medical advice, attend assessments, and discuss vocational reintegration or accommodations with your employer and the insurer as your health improves.