Did you know that building sites are among the most dangerous workstations? A majority of reported construction accidents are a result of contractor negligence, equipment malfunction, and other causes. Here’s more information about construction accident cases and what you should do in the case of an accident.
Building-related accidents
A construction site is prone to all kinds of accidents. It’s common for objects to fall. A construction site that doesn’t have well-installed fall arrest systems, scaffolds, safety harness, and netting might regularly have objects falling from the structure.
Falling wreckage and objects can strike builders who are on the site, causing serious injuries. Cave-ins are also a danger in trenching operations, burying staff under the ground. Injured victims may end up inhaling poisonous or gases.
Construction operations also involve the use of multiple heavy machines. These pieces of machinery can be dangerous, especially when the operator isn’t careful. Reports of devices running over workers are common in construction sites.
Lockout circuits and live wires are dangerous to workers in construction plants. Electrocution can cause instant death or permanent disability. Burns from welding gears and other hot machines can also result in debilitating and painful wounds.
Steps to take after an injury
Construction workers should see a medical practitioner immediately after getting hurt. Injuries can either be internal or external. The doctor will assess you and offer the right treatment to control your condition.
Inform the construction managers about the accident before the workday ends. Workers need to report all accidents to the right authorities. Managers can then analyze the situations at the workplace to identify potential hazards that might cause accidents in the future.
Collect proof
Gather any evidence relating to the accident. Notify the building manager about the equipment or mistakes that caused the incident. If you can, get photographic evidence showing how the accident happened and the aftermath. Your colleagues can help with evidence collection if you’re badly injured.
Don’t contact professional investigators or insurance firms before seeing trustworthy attorneys like Schwartzapfel Lawyers. Property owners and their contractors will do anything to escape responsibilities. Remember, the responsible insurance agency may not be willing to compensate you for your claims. Seek legal protection from a trustworthy building accident advocate.
Possible liable party
Misfortunes at a construction site can often be linked to an employee being careless. The likely defendants in this scenario include the insurance providers, general contractors, and subcontractors. Your lawyers might call the property owners, equipment dealers, or producers to be defendants, depending on the misfortune cause.
The building contractors and their insurance providers are among the most involved parties in building-related accidents. Site contractors oversee operations at the site and provide the necessary equipment at the workstation. The management team needs to ensure the ground is safe and that all workers have the right safety attire.
The overall responsibility of site safety falls on the owner. However, the hired contractors need to brief the owners on necessary safety precautions, such as regular inspections of heavy-duty machines at the site.
Determining the liable party
According to construction law, contractors are protected against being held liable for building-related accidents. You have to prove the service provider dishonored specific statutes of the law that contributed to building accidents. As such, you need a competent law firm to investigate and establish the responsible party.
Compensation benefits
The workers’ compensation plan provides monetary packages to injured employees. However, the plan won’t compensate for lost incomes related to wages, annuities, pension, social security disability, vacation funds, and lost domestic services.
Receiving a worker compensation package doesn’t prevent you from taking legal action against the accountable party. Many people think that whatever the building company offers is enough for their compensation. Get in touch with reliable lawyers to guide you on how to sue the accountable party.
Recoverable damages
Involving a third-party lawsuit can increase your chances of getting additional money as part of your compensation. Lawyers help their clients receive compensation for all damages associated with the building accident. You’ll receive a substantial amount to cater for injuries and damages incurred after the incident.
Seek legal help when claiming for compensation after a work-related accident. Building accident lawyers will help you seek quality medical care as they fight for your reimbursement. Get a competent lawyer today to start your injury claim.