Construction work is hard, and many workers make a pretty good living. According to Zip Recruiter, the average monthly pay for construction workers is around $2,751. In addition, certain construction jobs can be dangerous, which is why employers are required to take the necessary steps to ensure their employees are safe will on the ob site, including:
- Providing health and safety protection to their workers
- Hiring competent, experienced supervisors.
- Ensuring the equipment and safeguards are maintained and in safe working order.
In addition, employers are required to provide the following safety equipment:
- Hard hats
- Respirators with filters
- Eye protection
- Safety belts and harnesses
- Lifeline
- Signs to warn employees of danger
If you are injured on the job because your employer failed to take the necessary precautions, you should call a construction accident lawyer.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Construction Accidents?
Construction sites can be dangerous. According to an article published by Safety Pro Resources, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows over 150,000 construction site accidents occur each year. There are several causes of construction accidents, including:
- Insufficient training
- Improper use or maintenance of equipment or tools
- Crane accidents
- Falls from great heights
- Mechanical accidents
- Harness or ladder accidents
- Forklift accidents
- Collapsed structure
- Scaffolding accidents
- Electrical accidents
- Poor safety precautions
- Neglect
If you were involved in any of the accidents listed above, a construction accident lawyer might be able to help.
How Can a Construction Accident Lawyer Help?
There are several ways a construction accident lawyer can help if you have been injured on the job. If what happened to you was clearly an accident and nobody is to blame, you can file for worker’s compensation benefits, which covers lost wages and covers your medical bills. Before applying for worker’s compensation, it is best to speak with a construction accident lawyer first.
As soon as you apply for worker’s compensation, you are saying your employer wasn’t at fault, and you lose the right to go after your employer for compensation. A lawyer can discuss the circumstances surrounding the accident, to determine if you should file for worker’s compensation, or if you are better off going after your employer for the damages.
If your lawyer believes your accident was due to negligence, they can do some investigation to prove that your employer is at fault. First, they will go to the site to take photos of the accident site. They will also speak to your co-workers to get their first-hand accounts of what happened. If your lawyer believes you have a strong negligence case, they will go after your employer and will likely be awarded a larger amount of money.
When Should You Call a Construction Accident Lawyer?
It is best to call a construction accident lawyer within a week, or two after the accident occurs. It is not uncommon to get a call from a representative of your employer or their insurance company to call with a settlement shortly after an accident. In most cases, the settlement will be less than you deserve, and if you agree to the settlement, you have no legal recourse later. If you have a lawyer working for you, they can deal with the person offering the settlement.
In addition, there is a certain amount of time you have to file your accident claim and the deadlines vary from state to state. Your lawyer will know the specific deadlines in your state, and will fie the claim before the deadline.
If you have chosen to file a negligence claim rather than a worker’s compensation claim, you will need to cover your own medical bills and find ways to cover your lost wages until the case is heard; therefore, it is best to call a lawyer as soon as possible.If you have been injured on the job, you deserve to be compensated. A construction accident lawyer can help you choose the better claim, and will help you get the compensation you deserve.