Construction industry jobs are some of the most dangerous in the U.S. Every day, construction workers face fall hazards, falling debris, and heavy machinery mishaps. Working in this inherently dangerous trade means that accidents are commonplace. In fact, one in ten construction workers is injured on the job every year, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
If you've been injured in any type of construction accident in the state of New York, visit LiLawyer.com to file a claim; they're one of the many top personal injury law firms in this state. An injury attorney experienced in construction accidents will help protect your rights and recover fair compensation for your damages.
This blog will discuss the benefits of hiring an injury attorney after a construction accident.
An Injury Lawyer Helps You Identify All Liable Parties
Construction sites usually have multiple parties working on the project simultaneously. Depending on the size of the project and the number of parties involved, determining liability for a construction accident can be complicated.
While workers' compensation benefits may cover your expenses after an accident, an injury attorney can follow the chain of events leading up to the injuries and help identify which other parties contributed to the accident. They can determine if your injury was a result of equipment failure or safety violation at the construction site.
A construction accident attorney understands which type of evidence to collect in order to craft a strong personal injury case. This information is critical as it can be used as the basis for additional construction accident lawsuits, even if you receive compensation through your employer.
An Injury Lawyer Determines How Much Your Claim Is Worth
Your compensation could be limited to workers' compensation, depending on the specific facts of your case and laws in your jurisdiction. When the injury is a result of third-party negligence or wrongful actions, compensation laws may no longer apply to your case.
A construction accident lawyer can help you value your claim by pointing out all possible damages. In addition to your medical bills and immediate out-of-pocket expenses, you need to take into account other damages such as future earnings, decreased quality of life, costs that come with long-term care, the cost linked to transportation during recovery, and fees associated with cancellation trips.
An injury attorney can identify an accident's total impact on your life and work to ensure you receive maximum settlement amounts.
An Injury Attorney Handles all Deadlines, Paperwork, and Details
The larger part of a construction injury case involves filings, deadlines, and paperwork. Navigating the details of all these can be demanding for a single person without the help of a construction injury attorney. A lawyer can help synchronize every step in the claims process and can forestall the evidence and paperwork that an insurance company is likely to request, such as:
Accident site photos
OSHA compliance reports
OSHA standards violation reports
Medical records and bills
Eyewitness statements
Your job description and confirmation of wages
Lists of your accident-related expenses
Also, they will help you understand the fine details, get all the records straight, and make sure all deadlines are met.
An Injury Attorney Negotiates with the Insurance Companies
While workers' compensation insurance companies hardly deny coverage for injured workers, adjusters can make obtaining full compensation quite a hassle.
And since you may become overwhelmed with recovery, medical expenses, and the mental exhaustion that follows a construction accident, insurance may take advantage of the situation and offer a low settlement. Such settlements are often too low to meet all injury-related expenses.
An injury attorney understands insurance practices and knows how to communicate with adjusters. They will advocate for you and show the insurance company what you have gone through and how it has affected your life. An attorney will make sure you receive maximum compensation for current and future losses.
An Injury Lawyer Represents You If Your Case Goes to Court
Your attorney will try as much as possible to settle your personal injury case out of court. But if the defendant is not willing to accept liability or offer a fair settlement amount, you would rather have a sense of justice from a court ruling.
If a trial does take place, you want a construction accident attorney with trial experience to lead your case, fight for your best interests, and get a judgment that gives you the maximum compensation you're entitled to receive.
Bottom Line
There are many things that could go wrong at a construction site. Some involve accidents that may leave severe, life-changing injuries. If you've sustained injuries after a construction accident, a good personal injury attorney will help you gather necessary evidence, file a claim, and ensure that you receive maximum compensation.
