The Aftermath of Construction Accidents

Anyone who is injured on a construction site or other work site should remember the following advice to prepare for future legal action:

  • Seek medical attention for injuries and obtain documentation of those injuries by the medical professional.
  • Take pictures of the injury and the place of the accident or have a friend do so for you. These will serve as evidence that your attorney can use for your case.
  • Obtain the information of any witnesses who were present.
  • Report your injury to your employer. Follow any protocols that are in place.
  • Contact an attorney. An attorney can provide advice about your situation, including whether you should consider pursuing a claim in court.

Your attorney should be very familiar with the laws surrounding construction-site injury and have experience working on cases similar to yours. A successful claim can provide you or your family with financial compensation to cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, and any lost income.

CONSTRUCTION-SITE FATALITIES

Death from construction injuries can lead to a wrongful death suit, which an attorney can help a decedent’s family pursue. The attorney would represent the worker’s estate. Compensation available from a wrongful death suit includes financial damages covering loss of quality of life; loss of monetary support and wages; the pain the worker suffered before death; and loss of love, companionship, and emotional support the worker provided to his or her family.

States may limit a family’s ability to recover in a wrongful death suit, depending on whether the deceased was married or had dependent relatives. If the deceased was not married and did not have dependent children, then the amount of compensation for loss of love, companionship, and emotional support may be capped or barred.

HIRING A LAWYER

Securing a lawyer is one of the most critical tasks to accomplish following a construction-site injury. In most states, the statute of limitations is two years from the discovery of the injury. To find an experienced injury lawyer, look for referrals from another attorney. Lawyers often know professionals who practice in other areas of law and can recommend a knowledgeable attorney for your case.

To gauge a lawyer’s experience, find out how long he or she has been in practice and what kind of cases he or she has pursued. You should also look into information about which side of a case a lawyer normally works on. Finally, you should always ask whether your lawyer will work with you personally or have associates who will be your primary contacts. Having another attorney work on your case may not be a drawback, but you will likely need to meet with that person and your primary lawyer. When you have found a suitable attorney, the next step is understanding the fee arrangement for your case. Having an understanding of what is expected upfront will alleviate some of the stress that comes from managing a case. After you have hired an attorney,
stay in touch regularly and remain informed about the progress of your case. The more you understand, the better equipped you will be to make good decisions throughout your case. A lawyer should always be transparent with you about the status of your case and any decisions that need to be made along the way.

RESUMING YOUR LIFE

Experiencing an injury as the result of a construction-site accident can be frightening and stressful. Balancing the details of the situation between your lawyer, insurance and medical claims can be difficult but not impossible. An experienced lawyer will be able to help you talk with or speak on your behalf to insurance, employers and medical representatives, easing the experience of injury. Communication is key, and finding a good lawyer to help you get through the difficult time of dealing with a legal case and immediate medical expenses can greatly enhance your ability to resume your life as soon as possible after your injury.

Construction Accidents: The Risks, the Facts, the Repercussions – An Infographic from Wilson Kehoe Winingham

Embedded from Wilson Kehoe Winingham

About the Author

Chris Stevenson
Chris Stevenson is an attorney with Wilson, Kehoe, Winingham, Indianapolis.

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