Construction sites are hubs of activities but they also pose various types of dangers that can lead to severe injuries and accidents.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), in 2020, around 1,061 construction-related fatalities occurred in the United States – accounting for 20.3% of all worker deaths in the private industry sector.
Construction workers have a very high risk of sustaining severe or fatal injuries on the job. If the accident is not fatal, it can even lead to injuries that disable the worker. This means missing work and losing pay. And, also having to pay huge medical bills for the rest of their life.
If you are all too familiar with the consequences of a construction accident, you may wonder if you can file a legal claim. An experienced construction accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and explore your claim options.
Types of Construction Accidents
Falls and Broken Bones- Many construction workers get hurt from falling off high places such as scaffolds, ladders, or roofs. This can happen if they don’t have the right safety equipment or if they don’t follow safety rules. Falls can cause broken bones, head injuries, spine injuries, or even death(although sounds unfortunate).
Construction workers often break bones from falls off ladders, getting crushed by heavy objects, or getting hit hard.
Broken bones range from hairline cracks to bones sticking out of the skin. All breaks need time to heal and expensive medical care. If not treated right, broken bones can cause mobility problems for life.
Getting Hit by Objects and Caught In-Between- Sometimes workers get hit by things that are moving or falling. This could be materials being lifted, falling debris, or construction vehicles. Getting hit can lead to broken bones, internal injuries, or brain injuries.
Workers can get caught, crushed, or squeezed between objects or machinery. This might happen near heavy equipment, in trenches or holes in the ground, or in collapsing buildings. These accidents often cause severe injuries, loss of limbs, or other fatalities.
Brain Injuries and Spinal Injuries- Construction has more fatal and non-fatal traumatic brain injuries (TBI) than any other U.S. industry. Between 2003-2010, 25% of construction deaths involved TBIs. Half were from falls, the rest from head impacts or equipment accidents. TBIs can cause loss of consciousness, memory issues, headaches, confusion, personality changes, and more.
Spinal cord injuries happen from penetrating wounds, major blows to the spine or head, or falls from heights. They can damage the nerves relaying brain signals, causing paralysis or loss of function and mobility in parts of the body.
Amputations – Power tools and heavy equipment increase the risk of losing a limb on construction jobs. Some workers can’t return to construction after amputation. Others live with chronic pain or phantom limb syndrome even with prosthetics.
Electrocutions – Construction sites have a lot of electrical wiring and power lines. Workers can get electrocuted if the wiring is faulty if they don’t have safety equipment, or if they come in contact with electrical currents. Electric shocks can cause severe burns, heart problems, and nerve damage.
Burns – Chemical spills, gas explosions, fires, sparks from welding, electrical issues, etc can cause burns on construction sites. Some burns are moderate, but others are severe third-degree burns damaging muscle and bone. Severe burns need surgery and leave permanent scars.
These injuries mean high medical bills and lasting impacts. A construction site injury lawyer can explain your rights and represent your case to maximize the amount that you recover.
What You Can Get from Workers’ Compensation
Medical Costs – Your injury will likely mean huge medical bills – possibly thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. This covers immediate costs like emergency care, surgery, and hospital stays, as well as ongoing costs like medications, medical equipment, transportation to appointments, and future treatments needed. Workers’ compensation helps pay for all the medical care you need to recover.
Lost Wages – When you get hurt on the job, you’ll miss work while recovering. On average, work injuries cause people to miss 11 days of work. During this time off, workers’ compensation provides payments to make up for the paychecks you’re missing out on to cover living expenses.
Disability Benefits – If the doctor says your injuries have caused permanent disabilities or will prevent you from working for at least a year, you are entitled to disability payments. Depending on the severity of your disability, these benefits can last for up to 10 years. (note- every case is unique, and it may vary from one case to the other).
Job Retraining – Some injuries may be so serious that you cannot return to construction work at all. If you cannot find a new job paying at least 80% of your previous wages, workers’ compensation must pay for retraining you for a new career field – covering costs like certification courses, technical training or college tuition.
Third-Party Lawsuits for Construction Injuries
In some situations, you may also be able to file a separate third-party lawsuit against another party whose negligence contributed to causing your construction site injury.
This allows you to pursue additional compensation beyond just workers’ compensation as discussed above. Things like payments for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and even punitive damages in some cases.
Top personal injury lawyers and attorneys carefully investigate all the details to identify any potential third parties that may share liability. For that, they look for contractors, subcontractors, equipment manufacturers, or property owners whose negligence played a role.
Their personal injury attorneys will aggressively go after these third parties to hold them accountable and fight for maximum compensation for you and your family through a separate lawsuit.
Why Hiring A Construction Injury Lawyer for Your Construction Accident Case Matters
When you or a loved one gets injured in a construction accident, having your nearby construction accident lawyer on your side is crucial.
Expertise and Experience – Construction accident lawyers specialize in personal injury cases like construction accidents. They have in-depth knowledge of all the relevant laws and regulations. With their experience, they know how to evaluate your case, identify who was at fault, and build a strong legal strategy to get you maximum compensation.
Thorough Investigation – Construction cases require careful investigation to determine the cause of the accident and who is liable. A proficient construction site injury lawyer has the resources to conduct a comprehensive investigation. They can gather evidence like accident reports, witness accounts, and photos. By analyzing all the details, they can make a compelling case proving the other party was negligent.
Skilled Negotiation – Insurance companies often try to lowball injury victims with inadequate settlement offers. But experienced construction injury lawyers have a proven track record of tough negotiation to make insurers pay what’s fair. They will relentlessly advocate for your rights and ensure you get full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain/suffering, and more.
Legal Action – If a settlement cannot be reached, your construction accident lawyer can help you with filing a lawsuit. Your lawyer will handle all the complex legal processes as well as the paperwork involved in filing the lawsuit. They will also conduct a thorough investigation, and collect evidence to build a strong case. Plus, your lawyer will negotiate with the legal team of the opposite party. Their objective will be to fight for a fair settlement or take the case to trial(if necessary).
Faster Claims Process – Dealing with insurance companies alone can really drag out the claims process. But when you have an experienced lawyer involved, things move much faster so you can get the money you need for recovery without delays.
Bottom Line
Braude Injury Lawyers, your one-stop solution to get the best representation possible for your injury case.
We are based in Brooklyn, New York. We also serve clients in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and sometimes nationwide.
The first thing we do is listen carefully to understand your situation. Then we assess your case and go through our long list of legal contacts – other lawyers, law firms, and scientific experts who specialize in cases like yours.
With over 30 years of experience, we know exactly how to find you the best construction injury lawyers and attorneys for your case. We connect you with lawyers, attorneys, and law firms with outstanding track records, with the highest verdicts and settlements in their fields.
Visit our official website to discover more about us! Or, dial our number to discuss your case!
FAQ
When is the Time to hire a Construction Accident Lawyer?
You should hire a construction accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. This allows you to preserve important evidence such as photographs, witness statements, accident reports, etc. Remember, this evidence is critical for building a strong case. Your lawyer can also advise you on the next steps to take and also prevent you from making any mistake that could jeopardize your claim.
How Long Does a Lawsuit Take?
Well, the duration of a construction accident lawsuit can vary from one case to another. Several factors influence the timeline, such as the number of parties involved, the severity of injuries, the need for expert testimony from medical professionals, etc. Your lawyer may give you an estimated timeline based on the specifics.
Can I Handle A Construction Accident Lawsuit Myself?
See, you can technically represent yourself. However, it’s generally not recommended. Why? Because construction accident cases involve complicated legal issues and paperwork. Without a lawyer’s expertise, you risk undervaluing your claim. And, you may struggle with the legal process. An experienced accident lawyer will protect your rights for the best possible outcome.