Steps to Take After a Construction Accident: When to Call a Lawyer

Construction sites are probably some of the most dangerous places of work. From heavy machinery to unstable scaffolding, hazards abound everywhere. Not because of lax safety regulation or less protection, accidents frequently occur and can be debilitating for the victims or even worse, fatal. When you fall a victim of construction accident, you should know the steps that should be made both to salvage what is left of your health and also safeguard your legal rights. This guide is to help walk you through the actions following a construction accident and explain when you really need a construction accidents lawyer.

After a construction accident, subsequent events can be too overwhelming and even traumatic. However, taking appropriate direct steps after such an accident may ensure your safety, well-being, and ability to seek compensation later.

First and foremost, your health will be most at risk after an accident. Even if you feel that you are okay or that your wounds are minor, you should rush yourself to a doctor as soon as you can. Wounds incurred will cause some symptoms that manifest rather too late, including concussions, internal bleeding, or damage to the spine.

Secondly, when you see the doctor, you are creating a basis for a medical record of actual damages. If anyone insists on taking legal action, such a record becomes pretty relevant.

In addition, you should strictly follow your doctor's prescribed treatment in order to recover fully and support your claim. Insurance companies and opposing attorneys may have a sharp and pointed argument by presenting gaps and loopholes in the treatment to prove that your injuries are not as serious as you tend to claim them to be.

Report the accident to the employer or supervisor. Most of the time this must be done immediately. Failing to report promptly may jeopardize workers' compensation claim, which can serve as the primary means of achieving medical and lost-wages reimbursement.

You will write a statement of the incident, strictly on the facts of what happened and without speculating as to what caused it, and certainly never attributing blame. You should return the report to whoever has authorized it and make sure to get a copy of it for your records.

Any case requires evidence, and construction accident claims are no exception. While taking pictures or recording videos of the accident scene (if you feel it is safe to do so), try to gather as much evidence as possible. This includes:

i) Photo or video evidence of the accident and, if applicable, equipment and tools as well as hazardous conditions.

ii) Documentation, including photos, of injuries sustained.

iii) Witness statements and contact information.

iv) Documentation of any equipment used, including its serial numbers, maintenance records, or other useful information.

If you are unable to do so due to the severity of the injuries, ask an established colleague or friend to retrieve this information for you. Evidence gathered within a relatively shorter time of the incident can significantly impact the result of your legal procedure.

Collation of everything that one can relater to the accident is vital for your possible claim against your injuries. One should keep a report on:

i) Medical records and treatment history.

ii) Receipts for all out-of-pocket medical costs.

iii) Records of lost time away from work and records of disruption in wages.

iv) Copies of reports from the date of the accident and copies of correspondence with your employer or insurance companies.

The more comprehensive they are, the easier that much will be for a construction accident lawyer to provide a solid case on your behalf.

Most of the time, injured workers rely on workers' compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation, and loss of income. Workers' compensation is a type of no-fault insurance. This means that you can get it regardless of who caused the accident. But it may not provide you with full reimbursement, depending on the gravity of the wounds or their permanent degree.

There are also situations in which you may have a claim for personal injuries that also is available outside of or as an alternative to workers' compensation. A personal injury lawsuit may be possible if:

i) There was a third party which contributed to your accident, like a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer or property owner It was reckless or even intentional.

ii) You would find that the award under workers' compensation is below compensation for your medical, lost wages, and other damages such as pain and suffering.

In this kind of situation, a construction accidents lawyer will evaluate the particulars of the case and help you chart a legal course of action.

While a few minor construction accidents may be covered with workers' compensation claims, in most cases, seeking advice from a construction accident attorney would do much more for the victim. This is when to call an attorney:

If your injuries are permanent, grave, or will require lifelong medical treatment, you should consult a lawyer. Workers compensation may not be enough to cater for all the expensive treatments; there would be a case where you can appeal to the court and sue for other damages such as personal injuries.

The attorney is going to help calculate your entire set of damages, including future medical costs, rehabilitation, and lost earning capacity if you are unable to return to work at the same level.

Very often, employers or insurance companies contest workers' compensation claims. They may insist that your injury has nothing to do with work or is not as serious as you claim it to be. In case of a dispute or denial, a construction accidents attorney could negotiate settlement of a claim on behalf of the client with the insurance company or represent the client in an appeal.

This means that a worker may be laid off, demoted, or a hostile working condition if an employer feels that a worker has filed a claim against him for injury. If you face retaliation for reporting a construction accident, a lawyer can protect your rights and take legal action against your employer.

In case the accident resulted from a third party like equipment manufacturer contractor apart from your employer, construction accidents lawyer is able to help you in your third-party claim. Third-party claims are usually complicated cases, and most of the time include issues of negligence, so legal representation is crucial.

If what you get for workers' compensation does not cover your medical costs, wage loss, and other expenses connected with the occurrence of the construction accident, then an attorney can assess your case to help determine if there's more to claim from your employer. It may come in form of filing a personal injury case or just increasing the settlement amount.

A construction accident lawyer specializes in assisting injured workers through the maze of a construction accident case. Here's what he or she can do for you:

The lawyer will evaluate the facts of your accident, determine fault, and advise you on whether you should file a workers' compensation claim, a personal injury lawsuit, or both.

Lawyers will get as much evidence they can during the process in order to present it well in court. This can include analyzing safety protocols, equipment malfunction, or negligence that may have led to your injury.

The insurance firm always wants to pay the least. A lawyer negotiating on behalf of you can agree that you will be made appropriately settled for those injuries.

In cases that are to reach the courts, a construction accidents attorney will represent you. He/she shall argue the case with evidence while cross-examining various witnesses and, in general acting according to what favors you.

In this case, after an accident during construction, your health, well-being, and financial security might be at risk. Seeking immediate assistance-the first step in which you shall seek medical attention, report the accident, collect evidence, and consult with a construction accidents lawyer-will work in your favor to possibly protect all of your rights to better your chances to gain the compensation you need. An experienced attorney will walk you through the whole process and take good care of your case, so you can rest assured to be able to address your recovery and rebuilding of life to the fullest.