Construction Site Injury & Workers Comp

One of the most dangerous job sites in the working world is a construction site.  Not only is there heavy equipment that can cause injury, there is often a great deal of movement around the site, heights from which a worker can fall, small tools that can cause injury, and in some cases, even toxic substances.  There are worker’s compensation laws that require employers to have insurance for such accidents if they are their responsibility.  If you or someone you know has suffered a construction site injury, it can be a complicated claim to file.  However, there are experienced worker’s compensation attorneys who can help you discover if you are entitled to worker’s compensation for the injury.

Construction Injuries

Construction work is hazardous. Numerous types of injuries can occur on even some of the safest job sites.

These can include the following:

• Construction Eye Injuries
• Falls from construction points high on a structure or from scaffolding
• Exposure to toxic materials (asbestos for example)
• Electrical accidents
• Being hit with a falling object
• Faulty equipment

There are many other types of injuries that can be emergencies, making it vital that there be a plan for aiding an injured employee quickly and efficiently.  Once the injury is adequately treated, the employee must take quick steps to document the cause of the accident and begin the worker’s compensation process.  It is important to note that there can be other entities liable for construction site accidents.  More so than many other worker’s compensation injuries, construction accidents may need to include the expertise of a worker’s compensation lawyer to help discern how to file a claim.

Liability

 There are a number of responsible parties that can be at fault in a construction accident.  One of the most difficult aspects of filing a worker’s compensation claim for a construction injury is determining which entity or which entities are at fault.  Some of the possible liable parties can include:

• Contractors
• Sub contractors
• Site owners
• Machinery and equipment manufacturers

As a result, there may be multiple parties responsible for construction site injuries; and the liability may reach outside the bounds of normal worker’s compensation claims.  It may be difficult to discern how to file your claim, and you may need the help of an experienced attorney to do so appropriately.

Compliance with Safety Standards

There is another area of responsibility for the safety of workers on construction sites.  OSHA is the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which oversees construction sites for their compliance with the laws regulating work site safety.  If an injury was caused by noncompliance with one of these laws, it may complicate the liability issues that are already difficult.  A worker’s compensation attorney can help you sort through these questions and determine who is liable for your injury.

Filing Your Injury Claim 

One of the keys to receiving compensation quickly for a worker’s compensation claim is filing quickly.  In construction cases, finding evidence and determining liability may take some time, so the sooner you begin gathering your evidence and preparing your claim, the sooner you will begin receiving your benefits.  If you need help determining who is responsible for your injury and what evidence you need to provide, an experienced worker’s compensation lawyer can help.