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Knowing what to do immediately after you have suffered injuries in a construction accident could help you build a stronger case for workers’ compensation benefits or a personal injury payout later. We can tell you the steps to take to get the money you need and deserve.
At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, our North Carolina construction accident lawyers can answer your frequently asked questions (FAQs) or address concerns specific to your case. Contact a Rutherfordton construction accident lawyer for a free consultation with our team.
What Should I Do If I Am Hurt in a Construction Accident?
If you work on construction sites or in construction-related trades, you likely encounter hazards in the workplace regularly. Knowing what to do if you suffer any type of injury is imperative. Taking the right steps in the first minutes, hours, and days following an injury can make a difference in your compensation claim.
The steps you should take as soon as possible after a construction accident include:
Focus on Your Medical Needs
Your health and well-being must be your priority after an on-the-job injury. You should take the necessary precautions and steps to get the care you need quickly. Do not hesitate to call an ambulance, go to the hospital, or head to an urgent care clinic as soon as possible.
Getting the needed stabilization and care quickly is essential for ensuring you can recover physically as much as possible. This is the top priority after an injury, especially when there are life-threatening implications.
Construction accident injuries are often serious and could include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, traumatic amputations, electric shock, and more. If significant injuries prevent you from taking other steps on this list immediately, that is OK. You must get medical care as soon as possible.
Report the Accident to Your Employer
As soon as possible, report the incident to your employer. If you have a supervisor on-site, they may already be aware of the incident that occurred. However, it is still a good idea to follow the protocol set up for reporting accidents to your supervisor or human resources department.
We recommend notifying them in writing when possible. You should also be prepared to provide information about when and where you received care. They should be able to provide you with any information about workers’ comp, including if you have coverage and if any paperwork is needed from you.
Gather Readily Available Evidence
If you are able, you should consider gathering any evidence available following your injuries. This could include pictures of the scene, names and contact information of eyewitnesses, and other details that could help explain what happened.
Additionally, you should make a file to keep copies of any bills and receipts for incurred medical expenses, notes from doctors, and other documents. This could be important when the time comes to determine how much your case might be worth.
Contact a Construction Accident Lawyer
Once your injuries are stable and you can have a conversation, reach out to a construction accident lawyer. They can assess your legal options based on whether you have access to workers’ comp benefits, the circumstances that led to your injuries, and other factors.
They will offer advice and guidance for injured construction workers. Some also have workers’ comp attorneys within their firm who can help if you run into problems with your claim or benefits.
What Are My Legal Rights After a Construction Accident?
North Carolina law requires all businesses with three or more workers to provide workers’ compensation coverage or self-insure all employees. This includes corporations, sole proprietorships, limited liability companies, and partnerships. Based on this law, many construction companies must provide employees with workers’ compensation coverage.
Workers’ comp should pay for your medical care and a portion of your wage losses after a construction accident injury. However, many injured workers can pursue additional damages through a third-party negligence claim. A personal injury lawyer familiar with construction accident injuries can assess your case and determine if you qualify for a personal injury lawsuit.
These negligence claims or suits are based on the careless or reckless behavior of a third party who caused the incident or accident. This could be any party who is not your employer or a co-worker. Some common examples include:
- The property owner
- A general contractor
- A supplier
- A tool or machine manufacturer
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How Can a Construction Accident Attorney Help Me If I Was Hurt at Work?
A construction accident lawyer can manage all aspects of your negligence claim and seek fair compensation on your behalf. This includes investigating the incident, gathering evidence, identifying liable parties, valuing damages, and negotiating for a fair settlement.
If the liable party does not provide a fair payout, your attorney will sue them in civil court. They can take the case to a jury trial and ask the jury to award a fair payout.
At the same time, a workers’ compensation lawyer may be able to help if you run into a problem with your workers’ comp claim or benefits. When a law firm has both construction accident and workers’ comp lawyers on staff, you can feel confident that it can help you pursue and recover the compensation you need and deserve.
Discuss Your Legal Options With Our Construction Accident Team for Free
Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, represents injured construction workers across North and South Carolina. We have multiple offices, including in Rutherfordton, Spartanburg, Morganton, and Shelby. Our experienced lawyers are here to help if you have suffered injuries in a construction accident. We provide free legal case consultations.
Contact us today to get started.
