A construction accident is inevitable, and every workplace has the risk of incurring injuries to its employees. Unfortunately, these may not just be minor accidents but also lead to fatalities. Sadly, construction workers suffer from severe and life-threatening injuries at a higher rate than in other industries.
Construction sites are inherently dangerous places, with so much activity happening at once. No matter how safe the equipment you use, as long as humans work on it, an accident can happen anytime and anywhere.
Injuries due to construction site accidents can range from slight cuts and bruises to cardiac arrest or death due to trauma sustained from falling objects. As a result, construction owners have many liability concerns when they hire people for their projects; they aim to provide a safe environment, but accidents happen, and who’s to blame for them?
The following article will outline some information about work-related accidents at construction sites and how you can protect your rights if this happens to you or someone close to you.
What should I do after my workplace injury?
If you have been injured in one of these incidents, there are specific steps that must be taken promptly:
1. Call for Medical Help Immediately
You should seek medical attention for any injuries that have resulted from the accident as soon as possible. You will need to provide your doctor with specific details about how the accident took place so that they can give you appropriate treatment and make a proper assessment of your condition. Document all visits to medical professionals, including doctors’ reports, in detail.
If an emergency occurs late in the evening or overnight, remember that certain first responders like police and fire might not be available even if it is an urgent matter such as an explosion, so try calling 911 just in case!
2. Try to Stay Calm
An injured employee must remain calm so as not to aggravate the injuries. A fidgety person may also cause discomfort on their already badly injured body part due to restlessness and unnecessary movement; as for those who witness an accident on the site, stay calm and do not panic. Panic will only worsen the situation. Furthermore, remaining calm will allow you to help administer first aid and other necessary treatments to the injured worker as soon as possible, keeping them alive until they get medical attention from a hospital.
3. Make Sure that the Scene is Safe and Secure
Ensure that there is no loose equipment lying around on the ground, which might injure additional workers. Also, ensure that construction stops until proper steps have been undertaken and tested by a licensed contractor and his team. For example, suppose an unfit surface was improperly repaired right after an accident happened. In that case, chances are others working on it will experience serious injuries.
4. Make a note of the incident
You should make a note of the incident, including when it occurred and how it happened. In addition, take the names of any witnesses who are willing to speak on your behalf, along with contact information if this is possible.
5. Contact an attorney
If at all possible, contact an attorney immediately upon leaving the scene of the accident. Your attorney will be able to help guide you through this process and protect your rights so you can hold anyone accountable for your losses.
6. Report the accident to any appropriate government agencies
You should report the accident to any relevant government agencies. You have a right to do so whether or not you are filing a claim against someone. Your employer must know about what has happened, particularly if other workers were also injured in the same incident.
Suppose more workers suffer injuries in connection with this work-related accident. In that case, it may be considered a severe workplace hazard is warranting further investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (http://www.osha.gov/node/999880441). You will need to complete an OSHA form and file it with your employer and the federal agency within the required period. An experienced attorney can help prevent potential problems from arising during investigations of this sort so that you end up with a favorable legal outcome.
If my employer doesn’t give me the information and forms needed to file a claim, what should I do?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires employers to provide employees with information about workers’ rights, including how they can file a work-related injury claim. An employer that fails to meet this requirement may be subject to fines from OSHA equal to $7,000 for every violation in addition to any back pay or other compensation owed to an injured worker. This is why it is so crucial that you pursue a claim against your employer even when their representatives fail to help you get the medical care or documentation necessary to file a successful claim. An attorney can help guide you through each step of the workers’ compensation process and can ensure that your rights are protected throughout.
What kind of help do I need from an attorney after a construction accident?
Injury claims against your employer may be complicated, mainly when they occur at worksites where multiple individuals have been assigned to the same project. Your attorney will be able to guide you through the legal process and will be able to offer invaluable assistance in securing all necessary documents that make up your claim. Hence, you receive complete financial compensation for your injuries. Even if another person is found responsible for causing an accident on a worksite, or negligence is determined to play a role, employers are still held financially responsible for providing their employees with adequate safety equipment and training, safe working habits, and organizational procedures.
An experienced Accidental Attorney will prove their case by having proof for specific facts related to the accident, including:
Who was involved? Who was around during the time of the accident? What were they doing when it happened? Why did it happen? Could it have been prevented? What steps are being taken now regarding this incident? What caused the injury or damages? Was there any negligence on behalf of anyone? Which party is at fault?
Even if your employer is reluctant to provide you with the support you need after an accident at work, you are still entitled to all of the benefits outlined in any workers’ compensation policy or contract that applies. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself when making a claim against your employer so that no one can deny your right to receive total compensation for your injuries. Your attorney will help secure this financial recovery as well as hold anyone accountable who caused or contributed to bringing about these damages, including contractors and subcontractors who may have been working alongside you on the day of your injury.
There are several other questions that an accidental attorney will ask to come up with the entire scenario of an incident that caused injuries and damages. The type of accident, lawsuit, or claim filed includes industrial, construction site, slip and fall, traffic accidents involving pedestrians, and car collisions. Most importantly, they must be contacted promptly for all cases relating to emergency situations.
This also involves getting them as soon as you realize any possible losses incurred during the accident, such as being displaced from your property. At the same time, it’s repaired or even missing out on work because of physical incapacity. It is essential to consult a lawyer only if witnesses could testify on your behalf regarding the event leading up to the injury or during the accident itself.
Takeaway
If you are injured on the job, it is essential to know what steps to take. You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for any medical bills and lost wages incurred as a result of your injury. It’s best not to try this alone; contact an experienced attorney specializing in workplace injuries such as construction accidents or roadway collisions with vehicles, like me! I provide free consultations so call today if you would like my help filing a claim against your employer.