Construction worker deaths account for approximately 18% of all worker deaths in the United States. When construction workers escape these incidents, they frequently sustain catastrophic injuries. Workers encounter danger on a daily basis because of long hours, powerful machinery, and great heights.
If you or someone you care about was injured in a construction accident, you can seek compensation through the services of a construction accident lawyer. You might think you can handle this lawsuit on your own, but hiring a construction accident lawyer has numerous advantages.
Advantages of Hiring a Construction Accident Lawyer
Construction accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, including building materials falling, mechanical problems, foundation collapses, crane-caused damages, and human injury. You have the right to seek compensation if you are injured on-site. However, this is a difficult process that should not be attempted alone. Fortunately, you do not have to.
It is essential to hire the services of a lawyer to help you after a crane accident. Here are the reasons why hiring a lawyer can benefit your case.
1. Handling the paperwork
Lawsuits require a lot of paperwork. While this may appear tedious, it is critical to complete this paperwork on time.
In some states, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident. If you miss this deadline, you will lose your opportunity to collect compensation. Following this, you must fulfill a number of deadlines, which can be challenging to achieve on your own while recovering from your injuries.
A construction accident lawyer can guarantee that everything is filed accurately and on time. You may focus on your rehabilitation while they manage deadlines and papers.
2. Understanding how to negotiate
If you choose to pursue workers’ compensation rather than a lawsuit, remember that you may not receive the full value of your claim. For example, the worker’s compensation insurance company may try to negotiate a lower offer. In this situation, it is critical to have a construction accident lawyer negotiate on your behalf.
Your lawyer can devise a strategy to counter negotiation methods and appropriately assess the value of your case. They can assist you in requesting the compensation you seek prior to filing a lawsuit.
Because you lack experience handling construction site accidents, the insurance adjuster is more likely to take advantage of you. Your attorney will not let this happen.
3. Increasing your chances of collecting compensation
Clients who do not have legal representation tend to collect less than clients who do.
Construction accident lawyers are knowledgeable about the claims process and can point you in the proper direction for your case. In addition to ensuring that insurance companies do not take advantage of you, your lawyer will defend you from maltreatment by the legal system. A lawyer on your side increases the likelihood that the court will treat your case seriously.
The more you grasp your situation, the more confident you will appear — and others will be in your case.
4. Helping you calculate damages
When you pursue compensation through a lawsuit rather than workers’ compensation, you have additional options for damages. While workers’ compensation only covers your immediate medical expenses and lost pay, a personal injury case can provide far more compensation.
It may cover future medical expenses and missed wages. Construction accidents are distressing, and your losses go well beyond your monetary account.
A personal injury case allows you to seek compensation for noneconomic damages such as emotional distress, mental agony, and PTSD. Furthermore, if the culpable person engaged in an intentional tort, you may be able to seek punitive damages. A construction accident lawyer will understand how to account for these damages and determine the true value of your case.
5. Helping you establish liability
When pursuing a personal injury claim, you must determine who is responsible for your injuries. If your employer knowingly caused your injury, they are responsible. However, if your injury occurred in an accident, it is more difficult to determine who was at fault. Liable parties may include:
- Contractors Subcontractors
- Property owners
- Equipment Manufacturers
To prove a party’s liability, you must demonstrate negligence. There are four components of negligence:
- The liable person owed you a duty of care.
- They breached their duty of care.
- This breach caused your accident.
- Your accident caused injuries.
For example, an equipment manufacturer owes you and your colleagues a duty of care. They must develop equipment that is safe for usage. Failure to do so is a breach of their duty.
If an equipment malfunction results in an accident injuring you, the manufacturer is negligent. Your construction accident lawyer can assist you in determining who is responsible for your injuries and how to prove it.
6. With experience comes efficiency
When you are involved in a construction accident, you want to get past the unpleasant experience as soon as possible. While the claims procedure takes time, regardless of representation, dealing with a construction accident attorney speeds up the process. Attempting this task alone will simply slow you down.
Third-party lawsuits require quick action, and you must adhere to the judicial system’s timeframe. When you’re working alone and managing your recuperation and litigation, it’s challenging to ensure you’re checking all the boxes. A lawyer will keep you on track and bring the process along.
7. They will represent you in court, if necessary
Negotiations and agreements do not always work in your favor. Don’t worry; hope is not lost. A skilled construction accident lawyer will fight for you at every stage.
They are willing to represent you at a trial. Your lawyer understands the legal proceedings and trial format.
In the end!
Construction workers frequently get injuries on the job. You can claim compensation for most typical injuries sustained on construction sites. Don’t underestimate your case; instead, consult with a construction accident lawyer to give it the best chance possible.