How Do I Pick a Construction Accident Lawyer?

Construction sites are dangerous work environments. Numerous hazards present on a construction site can cause a worker to sustain a severe injury, lifelong disability, or even death. Accidents still occur despite a construction company's best efforts to keep workers safe. Employers who are less conscientious or fail to uphold strict safety regulations increase the risk of a severe accident. After you suffer an injury in an accident, you may wonder how to obtain the maximum compensation available in your case. In some situations, injured construction workers may not receive the full compensation that sufficiently covers the total cost of their medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses. Hiring a qualified construction accident lawyer will give you the best chance of obtaining the full value of your workers’ compensation benefits or any compensation you may receive from a third-party claim. Your construction accident attorney will help you with everything from filing a lawsuit and persuasively presenting your case in court. Determining whether a construction accident lawyer is worth your time and money can be difficult; follow these easy steps from choosing the right attorney for your case.

Common Causes of Construction Site Injuries

While construction work may be dangerous, no one should have to work under unsafe conditions that risk their health and safety. Despite this, construction companies and contractors often fail to provide the proper safety equipment and meet their obligations to workers. A construction company may sometimes put costs or work schedules ahead of worker safety, causing essential safety practices to fall by the wayside. Safeguards like implementing proper training and conducting refresher training are critical to preventing some types of workplace accidents. Construction accident lawyers know all the potential hazards of working in the construction industry and can represent workers who’ve suffered an on-the-job injury.

Here are some of the most common causes of construction site injuries:

Falls

The number one cause of construction deaths on work sites is falling. Whether a construction worker is on a dangerous ladder or faulty scaffolding or fails to have adequate fall protection, they risk falling many stories to the ground, and a severe or fatal injury can happen.

Equipment/ Machinery Accidents

In the construction industry, machine safety is of the utmost importance. Construction work often requires workers to regularly use cranes, bulldozers, pavers, pile drivers, and other pieces of heavy machinery. Crush or run-over accidents may occur because of an equipment failure or getting in the way of a heavy machine. When a construction worker uses dangerous machinery negligently or without proper training, things can go wrong quickly.

Electrical Accidents

It is not uncommon for construction workers to suffer electrical injuries on construction sites where they often encounter ungrounded electrical cords, electrical lines, or unfinished electrical systems. Electrocution on construction sites is the third-leading cause of death. According to the CDC, people working in and around construction sites are four times more likely to be electrocuted than workers in other industries. Electrical safety violations are among construction sites' most frequently cited OSHA violations.

Struck-by Accidents

When a construction worker drops a tool five stories up on scaffolding and hits a worker below, this is known as a struck-by accident. Failing to install proper guards on saws or supply hardhats to workers can lead to severe injuries or death. The most common struck-by hazards are accidents that occur by a swinging, rolling, falling, or flying object. Struck-by accidents include caught under/betweens, cave-ins, falling debris, or vehicles.

Caught In or Between Accidents

If a truck or piece of machinery crushes a worker against a wall or structure, the worker who becomes pinned between two objects risks sustaining a severe injury. When construction worker gets their limbs caught in a piece of machinery, it can result in disfiguring injuries or amputation. The most common examples of caught-by/in-between accidents are when a construction worker is pinned down by a reversing vehicle or struck by materials that fall from a delivery truck or forklift. A caught-by accident can happen anywhere an injured victim may get caught, squeezed, crushed, pinched, or compressed between two objects. If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a construction accident, you have the right to seek compensation for any injuries and damages you've sustained. A skilled construction accident lawyer understands what you're going through during this challenging time and can help you maximize the potential value and success of your case.

Types of Injuries That Result From Construction Accidents

Due to the dangerous nature of construction work, while injuries may occur in many professions, they are significantly more prevalent in the construction industry. Some injuries that result from accidents on construction sites can have a significant impact on your life and financial future. Symptoms of some injuries, like a concussion, may take time to develop. Seeking immediate medical care in the aftermath of a construction accident is crucial. If your injuries result in long-term disabilities or you become unable to work, covering the costs of ongoing medical needs may become overwhelming. Let a construction accident attorney help hold the people, companies, or entities involved in the accident accountable for your injuries and losses. Here are the most common construction site injuries suffered in accidents:

Burn injuries and scarring
Broken bones
Fractures
Cuts and lacerations
Head or brain injuries
Traumatic brain injuries
Electrocution
Injuries from falls
Knee and ankle injury
Back injury
Spinal cord injuries
Overuse stress injuries
Neck or shoulder injury
Injuries from heavy machinery
Vision impairment, blindness, or loss of hearing
Permanent disability
Death

After a construction accident, you may face financial troubles due to piling medical bills and missed time from work. In some cases, construction workers who sustain permanent disabilities cannot return to their previous job. By seeking the advice of an experienced construction site accident lawyer, you give yourself the best chance of receiving the maximum compensation for your injuries. Skilled construction accident attorneys have experience handling workers’ compensation claims and third-party liability lawsuits.

What Type of Lawsuit Am I Eligible for After a Construction Accident?

After a construction site accident, the injured person can file a workers' compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit. Workers' compensation claims allow injured construction workers to cover their medical bills and other accident-related expenses more quickly and with less stress. Benefits received from workers' compensation claims don't typically cover the full extent of your losses, including any lost wages. When workers’ comp claims receive a denial, navigating the appeal process can be tricky. Consulting with an experienced construction accident is the best way to determine which legal option is right for you. With the help of a construction accident lawyer, you can file both a workers’ comp claim and a personal injury lawsuit depending on the cause and circumstances of your accident. Below are the types of lawsuits you might pursue after a construction accident.

Workers’ Compensation:

A construction accident victim who is an employee may qualify for workers' compensation benefits to cover the costs of their injury and losses. Nearly all businesses must carry workers' compensation insurance, which covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other accident-related costs. Some companies will refuse to pay workers’ compensation benefits even when an employee suffers an injury while performing regular work duties. If construction site accident victim doesn’t receive proper compensation for their injuries, they have a right to sue their employer. When a negligent third party has contributed to your injuries, you can file an injury claim to recover additional compensation for the damages you’ve suffered.

Third-party Liability Claim

An injured construction worker who receives workers’ compensation may still file a lawsuit against a negligent third-party such as the manufacturer of a defective product. It is not uncommon for workers on a construction site to be employed by different organizations. If a contractor injures a construction worker by dropping a tool on their head, they may have a right to pursue a third-party liability claim against the contractor.

Product Liability

An accident on a construction site can happen due to a defective tool, product, or piece of protective equipment. While a welder is performing their regular duties, for example, improperly made gloves can cause them to develop burns. With a product liability lawsuit, the victim of an accident must sue the manufacturer for the defective product to retrieve compensation for damages, including emotional pain and suffering.

Wrongful Death

The family of a construction worker killed in an accident while working on a construction site has the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Wrongful death is any death caused by another person or party’s negligence. It is not uncommon for insurance companies, employers, and corporations to put their interests first by trying to take advantage of injured workers who’ve sustained catastrophic injuries. Let a construction accident attorney fight for the maximum compensation available in your case; the right attorney will put your best interests first.

Choosing the Right Construction Accident Lawyer for You

A thorough review of a firm's track record is the first step you should take in your search for the right construction accident attorney. Finding a lawyer with the right experience who has dealt with similar issues to your case and can successfully navigate a construction accident claim is the best way to maximize the potential value of your case. Suppose your case involves a dangerous piece of heavy equipment, and you have a product claim against the manufacturer. In that case, choose an attorney with ample experience against big companies. Choose an attorney familiar with the particular aspects of construction accident law. The lawyer you decide on should be prepared for common legal strategies and understand what to expect from the defense. Here are some additional tips for choosing the right construction accident lawyer:

Working with a firm that has a history of positive outcomes
Positive reviews, personal recommendations, online reviews written by clients, or legal peer reviews
Find a lawyer who understands your goals and will stay in touch and set expectations about an agreed-upon method of communication early on.

Whether speaking to the prospective lawyer over the phone or in person, asking the right questions can help you determine if they are the right attorney to represent you. You may consider asking a construction accident lawyer how long they've practiced, whether they will handle your case personally, and your case's chances of success. Generally, a good construction accident lawyer will not make grandiose promises and remind you that they will do their best to obtain the maximum compensation in your claim.

Construction Accident Attorney FAQs

What type of compensation can I receive after a construction site accident?

After a construction accident, depending on your case’s unique circumstances, you may be eligible to receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, disfigurement, disability, or emotional pain and suffering. In some cases, construction accident victims may be eligible to collect punitive damages.

Who can I hold responsible for a construction site accident?

Any construction site accident victim may file a personal injury lawsuit against any party responsible for the accident except their employer. Some individuals and entities you may hold accountable for a construction accident include property owners, the construction company, an engineer, a machine manufacturer, an architect, a contractor, a subcontractor, a city, or a government agency.

What steps should I take after a construction site accident?

After a construction site accident, seek the appropriate medical attention as soon as possible. Consult with a doctor about any injuries you sustained and should consider seeking the advice of a medical professional even if you feel fine. After receiving a diagnosis and treatment from a doctor, notify your employer of the accident as soon as possible. Reporting the accident as quickly as possible is the best way to receive full and fair compensation for your losses. Keep a record of your injuries; any details regarding your case are valuable and will increase your chances of obtaining a successful outcome. Never accept any settlement offers before speaking with an experienced construction accident lawyer. That can prevent you from accepting an insufficient compensation award that won't cover your losses.

Your Construction Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help

Let a skilled team of construction accident lawyers go up against lawyers representing big insurance companies or corporations for you. An experienced lawyer will have handled multiple construction accident cases and know how to litigate these claims. You require legal representation. Put your trust in a team of construction accident attorneys who will do everything possible to obtain a successful outcome in your case. For reliable advice and powerful advocacy to get you everything you're owed in your case, get in touch with the experienced attorneys at Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos, LLP. Contact us at 650-345-8484 or through our website.