Why You May Need a Construction Accident Attorney
If you were injured on the job as a construction worker you're not alone and your best bet to build a claim that is successful is to hire an attorney that specializes in your type of claim.
Ten percent of all construction workers will likely be injured on the job this year- at least according to statistics. And according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2003 there were 155,420 construction related accidents with the majority of those injured being men between the ages of 25 years old and 34 years old. Most of those who are injured on the job suffer a back or limb injury and miss well over thirty one days of paid work because of their injuries.
And it's not surprising that these numbers are so high. After all a construction site - no matter how well managed or safe it may appear to be,
is full of potentially hazardous conditions and the possibility that something can go wrong that could be dangerous or even deadly for the construction worker.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration the most common accidents that occur on construction sites that affect construction workers include cave in's, power tool accidents, falls, exposure to chemicals and dangerous materials such as asbestos and electrical accidents.
And when one of these events occurs, the safety net in place is usually workers compensation insurance. But while worker compensation insurance is intended to be a safeguard it doesn't cover one hundred percent of lost wages and it may not even cover all of the long term needed medical coverage of the injured worker. In addition to these major shortcomings, it is also not automatically granted for a claim no matter how badly the worker may be injured. And to add insult to injury, many employers will automatically fight any worker compensation claims so it can be difficult to resolve a claim in a timely manner- at least without the help of a construction accident attorney.
A construction accident attorney should be one of the first people you call to help you understand what your rights are so your claim can get the time and attention it deserves.
A construction accident attorney can investigate the facts around your claim and help you decide if you would be better served bringing a civil suit against the construction company for causing your injuries in the first place.
When you consult a construction accident attorney go into your consultation visit as prepared as possible with the facts to help prove your claim. It's a good idea to bring the names and phone numbers of any witnesses, photos of the accident scene and any facts that you may have that will help prove your claim. You should also bring your medical records and your medical bills so your construction accident attorney can assess the extent of your long term and short term medical progresses and potential damages that your claim should include.
With the proper guidance early on, you have the best chance for a successful claim settlement that takes into consideration the big picture that includes your future and how the construction company may have contributed to your accident.
