Massachusetts residents see construction sites throughout the state. The construction industry employs hundreds of thousands of workers who build roads, homes, businesses and more. These workers face a higher risk of sustaining on-the-job injuries than those in many other professions.
Injured construction accident workers often need medical treatments and time away from work to facilitate their recovery, but what if your employer tells you to keep working? Jason Stone Injury Lawyers explains.
What Rights Do You Have After a Construction Accident?
Massachusetts requires employers to obtain worker’s compensation insurance policies to cover employees injured on the job. Benefits pay for medical expenses and a portion of wages lost during recovery.
Laws and regulations give rights to injured construction workers. They can:
- Seek immediate medical treatment
- File a worker’s compensation claim
- Receive worker’s comp benefits
- Return to their jobs when their doctors release them
- Seek damages in personal injury lawsuits in certain circumstances
If your injuries require medical care, you shouldn’t return to work until your physician releases you to do so. Going back too early can reaggravate or worsen your injuries, prolong your recovery time and endanger your worker’s compensation or personal injury case.
What Should You Do if Your Boss Says to Keep Working?
Employers may try to discourage you from filing a claim with worker’s comp, or they might ask you to return to work before you’re fully recovered. Either situation can cause stress because employees may think their jobs are in jeopardy if they don’t comply.
Your physician may release you to return to work with restrictions, such as light-duty work, shorter working hours and being unable to move in specific ways. Employers should accommodate those restrictions by modifying your duties if possible.
Even if financial strain and worrying over losing your job tempt you to keep working, you should politely refuse. If this happens to you, contact Jason Stone Injury Lawyers immediately. We will communicate with your employer on your behalf.
What Happens If You Go Back to Work Too Soon?
You may think that returning to work too soon after your injury won’t have any consequences. However, it can have multiple serious and adverse effects.
The construction accident attorneys from Jason Stone Injury Lawyers want you to fully recover from your injuries while getting the worker’s compensation benefits you deserve. We will also ensure that you get the medical care you need.
Your Health
Human bodies need sufficient time and care to recover from injuries. Some injured construction workers require surgery and rehabilitation. Suppose you have surgery after injuring your back in a construction accident. Your doctor will likely limit the amount of weight you can lift and advise you against moving your body in specific ways.
If you return to work before your body recovers, your job duties might require you to lift heavy objects and twist your body. Those actions can undo the progress you’ve made toward recovery; they might also worsen your previous injuries or create new ones.
Your Compensation
Going back to work while you’re injured implies that the injuries aren’t severe. Worker’s comp insurance companies may deny benefits as a result.
Your worker’s comp benefits usually end when you return to work. Although you can file another claim, it can be challenging.
Some construction accident injuries qualify you to file a personal injury lawsuit in addition to your worker’s comp claim. You’ll reduce the likelihood of obtaining reasonable compensation if you return to work before you heal.
What Should You Do After a Construction Accident?
Your employers and their insurance companies will investigate your accident, and they may try to place blame on you or other contractors present at the same job site. Doing a few things right after your accident can provide invaluable evidence to support your claim.
Request a Medical Examination
Undergoing an immediate medical assessment has multiple benefits. Trained professionals can spot injuries that aren’t readily apparent and provide treatments. If necessary, they can transport you to a hospital for further care.
Your worker’s comp and potential personal injury claim rest on proving that you received your injuries at work. Physicians or other medical personnel will record their findings about your medical condition in a report that establishes your injuries and when they occurred.
Document the Scene
You’ll need to prove how and why your accident happened, but a construction site changes constantly. Other workers can mop spills, neatly bundle electrical cords, repair broken ladders, move equipment or otherwise remove factors that contributed to causing your accident before investigators arrive.
Use your phone to take videos or photos of the scene before anything changes. Record:
- Your injuries
- Whatever caused your accident
- People present at the site
- Witness statements
- The location of any video surveillance cameras
Many worker’s comp insurance companies dispute claims, but your legal team from Jason Stone Injury Lawyers will use the evidence you gather to substantiate the validity of your claim.
Report the Accident to Your Employer
You need to report your accident to your supervisor or employer immediately. They should create an incident report, and you can request a copy.
When you speak to your employer, be careful with what you say. Don’t give unnecessary details, and don’t say anything that implies that you were careless or caused your accident. Insurance companies can use your statements to deny your claim.
You Better Phone Stone
Because of the challenges involved in construction accident injury claims, many injured workers hire experienced personal injury lawyers to assist them. We can file your worker’s compensation claim for you, and we will also investigate your accident to determine whether you have grounds to file an additional personal injury claim.
Your attorney will explain your options and provide guidance, speak to insurance companies on your behalf and handle all aspects of your claims. From the moment you hire Jason Stone and his team, we become your advocates. We work hard to earn your trust and defend your rights.
What Is the Stone Cold Guarantee?
At Jason Stone Injury Lawyers, we believe that our clients deserve compassion, respect and personal attention. You also deserve to know what you can expect from us if you choose us to represent you.
The Stone Cold Guarantee spells out our promises to you. Some of these are:
- You won’t pay us until you win compensation
- You’ll receive a response to your call in less than 24 hours
- We will provide guidance and assistance throughout the claims process
- You’ll receive regular case updates
- You can reach us 24/7
We also guarantee that we won’t allow insurance companies to take advantage of you. Our skilled negotiators will fight to reach a fair settlement offer or we will take your case to trial if they refuse to cooperate. Before You Deal With the Insurance Companies on Your Own, You Better Phone Stone®.
Do You Need a Construction Accident Attorney?
Since 2004, Jason Stone Injury Lawyers has helped our clients obtain more than $60 million; we fight to win the compensation they deserve. Because we focus on personal injury law, we understand the applicable laws and how to reach favorable outcomes.
Request your free case review today. There’s No Obligation, Just Information®. We’ll help you get your life back on track. Call us 24/7 at (800) 577-5188, use live chat or submit our consultation form.
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