Personal injury lawyers receive calls from construction site accident victims regularly. It is a dangerous industry where workers face the possibility of injuries or even death on an almost daily basis. Victims often struggle with devastating circumstances that may even change the trajectory of their lives and the lives of their families. If you have questions about the circumstances surrounding your construction site accident and the avenues of compensation available, do not hesitate to contact an experienced construction accident lawyer.
Why You May Need To Hire a Construction Accident Lawyer
Contractors and other companies in the construction industry must provide their workers with access to workers’ compensation insurance. Therefore, in the event of an accident, you should be able to file a claim without the burden of proving liability and receive full coverage of all medical expenses and at least partial coverage of lost income during your recovery. However, some circumstances may require you to bypass workers’ compensation or supplement it with a civil claim against a negligent party in your case. A construction accident lawyer can help you understand when that is an option.
When To File a Negligence Claim
Workers’ compensation insurance protects your employer from a liability lawsuit. However, your employer may not be the negligent party in your case. Examples of accidents that may warrant a negligence claim include:
- Suffering an electric shock from a defective piece of heavy machinery
- Falling from poorly installed scaffolding
- Exposure to toxic chemicals leaking from malfunctioning equipment or poor decisions by a supervisor or co-worker
- Getting hit by a reckless driver while on the job
- Falling because of a collapsed trench that was poorly built
- Falling from a high point because of defective safety equipment, such as a harness
Accidents involving a defective or malfunctioning product may warrant a product liability lawsuit, which allows you to hold the manufacturer or distributor responsible for the damages you suffered as a result of your injuries. These cases are often challenging, particularly the element of proving liability. However, product liability is another form of personal injury law, and a construction site accident lawyer can help you build your case.
How a Construction Accident Lawyer Can Help Your Case
“Building your case” is just an umbrella phrase covering a multitude of tasks a construction accident lawyer will do for you. Among them are:
- Act in your place during all calls with the insurance company or defense team
- Thoroughly investigate the case to look for evidence of negligence
- Identify the recoverable damages and gather evidence to support your right to compensation
- Interview eyewitnesses and appropriate medical professionals to determine the value of your losses and provide further supporting evidence
- Complete all the paperwork necessary to file your claim and ensure you do not miss the statute of limitations
- Question the defense and represent you if you are deposed during the discovery phase
The legal process for a personal injury claim involving a construction accident can be intimidating for someone with little experience in the legal field. For someone recovering from severe injuries, it would likely become overwhelming quickly. An advantage to having an attorney is that they have an objective, educated voice and will protect your right to compensation. Additionally, they know what you are going through and the burdens you face. That is why personal injury attorneys often act as a pillar of support.
Questions You Should Ask a Construction Accident Lawyer in Your Initial Meeting
All construction accident lawyers offer a free case evaluation to learn more about your accident and how they could help you before agreeing to take your case. In that initial meeting, you can come prepared with questions to ensure you have a representative you can trust. Some helpful questions to ask include:
- Can you provide references or examples of reviews from former clients?
- Have you been practicing personal injury law for long?
- Do you have experience with construction accident cases? If so, what is your success rate in securing a settlement or award for your clients?
- Do you work on contingency? If so, what is your fee structure? For example, do you charge a fee if you do not win?
- Is a substantial amount of your practice dedicated to construction accident cases?
- How often have your construction accident cases been settled?
- What is a typical settlement from a construction accident case at your firm?
- Will you do most of the work on the case, or do you have a team of aides? If you have aides, what experience do they have with construction accident cases?
Most attorneys are happy to provide this information. Those what a great success rate will often have that information readily available on their website. You can make the most of your meeting by writing down the questions you want to ask and providing all the information and documentation regarding your accident upfront.
What You Should Do After a Construction Site Accident
In the aftermath of a construction accident, there are a few things you can do to ensure you have all the information you need to build a solid claim for compensation. For example:
- Report the accident to a supervisor immediately and ask them to provide you with a copy of the accident report.
- See a doctor as soon as possible if you do not need emergency responders on the scene.
- Take photographs of the accident site and your injuries, or ask someone else to do it if you need to get to a doctor immediately.
- Get copies of your medical records and file your workers’ compensation claim.
- Avoid discussing the accident with anyone, including posting about it on social media. It is often in your best interest to avoid social media altogether.
A common mistake people make in the wake of a workplace accident is waiting too long to seek medical attention. Delays in treatment are bad for your physical well-being and could poke holes in your workers’ comp and negligence claims.
When To Schedule Your Consultation With a Construction Accident Lawyer
If you have questions about what to do in the aftermath of a construction accident, the best place to get information is from a construction accident lawyer. Sometimes you have options beyond workers’ compensation coverage. For example, if you suffered substantial injuries directly from a negligent party, you may have the opportunity to hold them financially accountable in civil court. The first step is to talk to a personal injury lawyer about the details of your case, and the sooner you do, the better your chances of receiving fair compensation.
At Jason Stone Injury Lawyers, we have helped clients access the funds they need to recover from every possible construction site injury, including broken bones, amputations, electrocution, lacerations, internal bleeding, and more. Our dedicated construction accident lawyers will help you understand your options. We know the physical, emotional, and financial burdens you face, and we work on contingency so you can access legal representation without adding to the financial strain. The first element of the Stone Cold Guarantee is that we get paid only after you get paid. Contact Jason Stone Injury Lawyers for your free case evaluation today. Our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at (800) 577-5188. There’s No Obligation, Just Information (R).
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