Construction workers are more prone to fatal or severe injuries at their workplace, and these accidents can significantly impact the lives of the injured workers and their families. It can result in life-long medical expenses, lost wages, loss of enjoyment in life, inability to care for oneself, and even death.
If you have been involved in a construction accident, you may be wondering how you can seek justice for your injuries. An experienced construction accident lawyer can help you claim fair compensation and assist you throughout your legal journey.
Common Causes of a Construction Accident
According to OSHA, one in five workplace casualties happen at the construction site, and over 60% of these construction accidents are a result of the fatal four:
Falls
Falls at construction sites are a primary cause of construction accidents resulting in over one in three fatalities. It accounts for approximately 36-40% of deaths at construction sites. Since most construction jobs require working from heights such as cranes, roofs, scaffolding, and ladders, slight negligence or lack of proper protection can result in a fatal accident. Falling from any height can cause significant damage to the workers and severe traumatic injuries such as spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and multiple shattered bones.
Struck-by-object Incidents
Approximately 10% of all critical construction accidents happen by getting struck by objects. Construction sites are full of heavy machinery parts, hefty materials, and moving equipment, which can be dangerous if not handled cautiously. Struck-by-object incidents typically occur when building materials or moving equipment crash into the workers. A single moment of inattentiveness can have devastating consequences for the workers. Other objects such as nail guns, hammers, or falling objects can also cause severe injuries.
Electrocutions
Nearly 7% to 9% of construction site deaths occur due to electrocutions each year. Since construction labor is frequently exposed to faulty and open wires, they are more prone to be electrocuted than workers in other sectors. Electrocution accidents can cause severe burns, brain damage, spinal cord injuries, disruption of other bodily functions, and even death.
Being Caught-in-between
When a worker gets stuck in-between project materials or wedged between moving machinery components, it can result in catastrophic injuries. Caught-in-between incidents are mostly fatal or result in amputation, permanent disfigurement, brain injuries, or permanent disability.
Apart from these fatal four causes, other causes of construction accidents include equipment defects, trench accidents, safety violations, hazardous substances, and more.
Do You Need a Construction Accident Lawyer? What Damages Can You Claim?
The money paid to compensate the injured victim for their losses and costs is known as damages. It includes compensatory damages to restore the plaintiff to the same as before the accident. This includes economic damages like:
- Physical therapy
- Medical bills
- Medication and medical supplies
- Long-term care expenses
- Lost future income
- Lost wages
The plaintiff may also be entitled to other non-economic damages such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Compensation for a lost limb
- Emotional distress
- Injury to reputation
- Loss of consortium
What To Do After a Construction Site Accident?
Steps you take immediately after being involved in a construction accident can significantly improve your chances of claiming fair compensation. If you or your loved one gets injured in a construction accident, you should:
Seek Medical Attention
Your priority after a construction accident should be to see your doctor or visit the emergency room. Even if you suffer from minor injuries, checking with a medical professional will help reduce its long-term impact. Follow all orders by the doctor regarding restricted or limited movements and take the prescribed medications on time.
Inform Your Employer
After addressing your health concerns, you should inform your employer about the incident. Submit a work accident report within 30 days of the incident stating all the details about how and when the construction accident happened. Prompt reporting of the accident is also required by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Collect and Keep Evidence
Be quick to gather as much evidence as possible before your employer or anyone else tries to tamper with it. The evidence should include:
- Contact information of any witnesses
- Detailed written information about how the accident affected your routine activities
- A record of every communication with the employer regarding the construction accident
- Photographs of damage, injuries, construction accident site, machinery that caused injury, and other relevant evidence present at the site
- Additional information from video cameras, emails, and other media
Consult a Construction Accident Lawyer
You need to hire a construction accident lawyer to recover damages and fair compensation from your employer or the party at fault. The experienced attorneys at Grandelli Law Firm can help you file a claim and gather all the relevant information needed to present your case.
How Can a Construction Accident Lawyer Help You?
Hiring a reputable construction accident lawyer helps you overcome any obstacles you may face on your journey to get justice and offers the following benefits:
Protecting Your Rights
Injured workers are entitled by law to compensation via third-party claims, worker’s compensation or both. Unfortunately, the path to seeking justice is not that simple. Grandelli Law Firm’s construction accident lawyers are familiar with these hardships and help you protect your rights and fight for justice by adhering to all legal timelines and sourcing relevant documents on time to support your case.
Accurate Valuation of Your Claim
Many injured workers never question the settlement amount offered by the insurers as they are not aware of the damages they may be entitled to. Seasoned construction accident lawyers are well-versed with the tactics of insurance companies and employers who try to reduce the compensation amount. Attorneys will access your damages and negotiate on your behalf to help you get the claim you deserve.
Speeding up the Process
Most workers are unaware of the law, which slows down the claim process. With a construction accident lawyer by your side, the claim process goes exponentially faster and helps you seek justice much faster. Also, lawyers look after the entire process of seeking compensation on your behalf, so you don’t have to worry about the claim settlement.
Experienced Construction Accident Lawyers at Your Service
If you suffer from a construction accident injury in New York or Staten Island, the experienced lawyers at Grandelli Law Firm are your best ally. Our skilled attorneys and their compassion, legal resourcefulness and investigative skills will help you seek justice and secure the maximum amount of compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.