Construction Accident Lawyers
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Construction Accident?
Construction site accidents are among the most common types of work accidents. Falls, equipment injuries, being struck by objects, electrocutions, and other incidents cause serious injuries and fatalities.[1]
In most cases, a workplace injury is covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Your employer is legally obligated to have this insurance to provide for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs of employee accidents.
The insurance is not always adequate, or you may face a denial of compensation. It can be difficult to understand your rights and when you need an advocate to represent you in these situations.
Consider talking to a work injury lawyer if you:
- Believe your employer did not follow legally-required guidelines to maintain a safe workplace
- Did not work on the site but got injured in an accident while visiting
- A product or piece of machinery was faulty, triggering the accident
- Have had multiple doctor visits, surgeries, or treatments because of the accident
- Lost a significant amount of wages due to the accident
- Have spent a lot of money because of the accident, money you would not need to spend otherwise
- Are uncertain of your future and ability to work because of the injury
- Have been denied a workers’ compensation claim
- Have not received adequate compensation through workers’ compensation insurance
- Lost a family member to a construction accident
How Can a Construction Accident Lawyer Help Me?
If you are at all unsure of what to do next or uncertain of your rights in the wake of an accident, talk to a lawyer. One of the most important things they can do for you is to explain your options and evaluate your case to determine if you should take legal action. They will help you in other ways too:
By Providing Experience and Expertise
A lawyer in general practice or another specialty area cannot help you in the same way as a work injury or personal injury lawyer. These attorneys are experts in related laws. They also have the experience to bring to bear on your case. They have worked with clients in similar situations and can give you better advice and guidance than anyone else.
With Investigative Resources
Proving negligence or that you deserve more compensation than the insurance company has offered requires building a strong case with evidence. To do that, you need skilled investigators and experts. Work injury law firms have these people on staff or a network of consultants to bring on your case.
To Recover Maximum Damages
The main reason to file a lawsuit or take other legal action after an accident is to recover damages. This is the compensation that will cover all the expenses incurred by your injury. An experienced personal injury lawyer is better equipped to negotiate with the insurance company to get you more money. They can also take your case to trial to get a verdict and award if necessary.
Without experience in these cases, you may not realize how much you can recover. Your lawyer will find expenses you hadn’t considered, like loss of future earnings or emotional harm caused by the accident. They can maximize what you are entitled to request and get under the law for the accident you suffered.
Taking Steps to Find the Right Lawyer
Knowing you need to talk to a work injury lawyer and knowing where to find one are two separate things. What should you do next? Talk to coworkers, friends, family, or neighbors to determine if anyone can refer an excellent personal injury lawyer. Your union representative may also be able to help. If you have no referrals, check out listings for lawyers, but keep these things in mind:
- Choose a lawyer with the right experience.
Construction and work accidents are specialized cases. Narrow your search down to personal injury lawyers only and then to those with relevant experience in work or even construction site incidents. - Interview lawyers before choosing.
A reputable lawyer will offer a free consultation so they can evaluate your case and also so you can ask questions and make the right choice. You do not have to settle for the first law firm you meet with. - Ask questions.
Ask all the important questions you have before working with a lawyer. You need to know what experience they have that is relevant, cases they have won, damages recovered, if past clients recommend them, and their fees. - Choose someone with trial experience.
Most personal injury cases do not go to trial. They resolve in settlement negotiations. However, it is possible you will need to take the defendant to court, so work with a lawyer who has litigated for past clients and won. - Work with a lawyer who makes you feel confident.
The right lawyer for you will make you feel comfortable and confident about going forward with legal actions. They should be prepared to devote enough time to your case and be available for you when you need them.
How to Work with Your Lawyer
Once you have selected a lawyer to work with, be prepared to be a partner in the fight for your rights and compensation. Your lawyer will advise you, but all the decisions are yours. Do your homework, listen, ask questions, and provide as much information as your legal team needs to build your case. They will need:
- All the information about the incident you can recall, as well as notes from any witnesses
- The accident report
- Your medical bills and reports
- Any other expenses related to the accident
- Information about your job and income, including the time you have missed due to the accident or how the injury could impact your future employment
A work accident at a construction site can result in severe injuries, even fatalities. You deserve to be provided with adequate compensation, and if you are not, work with a work injury or personal injury lawyer.