According to phys.org, people in construction are less likely than average to feel their job is pointless, but this satisfaction comes with greater risk. Construction workers face hazardous conditions that can lead to serious injuries.
In 2023, the construction sector recorded the most fatal accidents of any industry, according to Construction Drive. Sadly, many workers miss out on valid construction injury claims.
If you’ve been injured on a construction site, consulting a construction accident attorney is crucial to protect your rights. So, when should you contact a construction accident lawyer? Read on to find out.
What Does a Construction Accident Attorney Do?
Given the inherent risks of construction, the construction industry has developed unique and specialized laws. A workplace accident attorney uses their extensive knowledge of these rules and regulations to ensure their clients get the personal injury compensation they’re entitled to.
Too often, workers injured in an accident that wasn’t their fault, don’t get compensation. A construction accident attorney passionately advocates on their behalf, ensuring they get the reparation they deserve.
Contact a Construction Accident Lawyer as Soon as an Accident Occurs
Experiencing an accident is shocking, so your first thought might not be to contact a construction site injury lawyer. While you should certainly get medical attention first, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact a legal representative. This is crucial for the following reasons:
- You’ll get accurate insight into what you should do next
- You can effectively preserve evidence
- You can gather incident reports while the event is still fresh in people’s minds
- You can fill out accurate incident reports before you forget crucial details
Sometimes people delay contacting a lawyer because they want to focus on their recovery. Rest assured that a construction accident attorney understands the importance of recuperating. All you need to do is provide them with the basic information, and they’ll do the rest.
Contact a Lawyer if Your Claim is Denied
If your construction accident compensation claim is denied, you might be tempted to give up, especially if your accident wasn’t that serious. Complex legal language and endless forms can make it feel like pursuing your claim just isn’t worth it. But, it’s always a mistake not to claim.
Even a minor injury deserves compensation, and occasionally an injury that seems relatively insignificant gets worse over time. If you don’t make an initial claim, you’ll have a much harder time getting compensation later on.
Avoid this potential pitfall by working with an attorney. Sometimes you’ll find nothing was wrong with your claim or that some documentation was missing. In these cases, all it takes is a simple appeal, and you’ll get the compensation you deserve.
If your employer disputes the claim, your lawyer will advocate for you on your behalf. Your employer may try to claim your injury wasn’t work-related, but such claims are usually straightforward to disprove.
A Lawyer Can Help Make Sense of Third-Party Liability
Of course, construction is a complex business, so personal injury claims are not always as simple as you vs your employer. You might rely on external contractors or specialist equipment manufacturers. For example, if the battery in a wireless drill explodes causing injury, it could be:
- The fault of your employer for disregarding safety instructions from the manufacturer
- The manufacturer’s fault for shipping a faulty product
- Your fault for not following safety instructions
- A complex blend of various factors involving several parties
While cases involving a third party can get quite complex, they’re worth perusing as you could secure a settlement beyond a typical worker’s compensation claim. For example, if the wireless drill manufacturer shipped an unsafe product, you could get additional compensation for your pain and suffering. According to NOLO, this isn’t limited to physical pain, you could also claim for issues like anxiety or emotional distress.
If You Have a Long Term Injury You Need a Lawyer
A long-term injury has a devastating impact on your construction career. As a construction worker, your body is your most valuable tool.
If you’re injured, you might be left unable to work for a long period. Such life-changing injuries could also affect your personal life by leaving you unable to enjoy your hobbies or navigate your own home.
To stand the best chance of recovery, you’ll need the best medical care available. Sadly, rehabilitation and specialized treatment are expensive and without compensation, you’ll struggle to pay.
Don’t gamble with your financial security and always consult a lawyer if you have lasting injuries from a workplace accident.
Making Disability Claims
A workplace incident that results in permanent disability is devastating enough without you having to worry about securing an income. If you develop physical or mental disability as a result of a construction accident, you should contact a lawyer as you’ll likely get lifelong benefits.
You Can Get Compensation Even if You Were at Fault
It simply isn’t true that you won’t get compensation if an accident is your fault. Construction is a demanding job and mistakes are inevitable. Proper safety procedures take the inherent risk of construction into account by implementing various countermeasures and redundancies.
If a single mistake results in serious injury, it suggests the construction company responsible for the work site wasn’t taking regulations seriously. It’s possible that you only made a mistake because you didn’t get appropriate safety training.
Even if you feel like an incident was your fault, it’s worth contacting a construction accident lawyer. Often, you’ll find your lawyer uncovers a shocking array of safety violations and oversights.
Get the Compensation You Deserve
As you can see, the best time to contact a construction accident attorney is as soon as possible. By filling your claim early, you’ll stand the best chance of getting the compensation you deserve. Construction accident compensation is about more than financial security, it’s also about creating a safer and fairer future for your colleagues in the industry.
Here at KFFJ Law, PLLC, we have over three decades of experience helping construction workers get justice. We strongly believe everyone is entitled to effective legal counsel, which is why we offer free consultations for all our potential clients. Schedule a consult with a skilled construction accident lawyer and see for yourself how we earned our highly successful track record.
