Construction work is widely known as a very dangerous job. You may need to work with heavy equipment or climb high scaffolding to get the job done. If you ever suffer a work-related injury, there are many options you have to recover financially. A construction accident attorney can work with you and your employer to obtain the maximum amount of money you will need to pay for your expenses and any other costs resulting from your injury. Here are some questions you may have about the process.
Is workers’ compensation an option?
Just like working for any other industry, people injured on a construction site are entitled to workers’ compensation coverage. Workers’ compensation pays for your medical bills and lost wages while you recover from your injury. It will also pay you for a period of time if you are permanently disabled due to the injury you received. It requires you to show that you were injured while completing an act at your job. However, there is a limitation on how much you will receive. This is because this program is very clear and does not require external litigation, which saves the company money.
What if workers’ compensation isn’t enough?
In the event that you are injured so badly that you are out of a job for an extended period of time, or even permanently, your construction accident lawyer may advise you to sue your employer in addition to receiving other benefits. Your ability to bring a civil lawsuit against your business will depend on the circumstances of your injury, as well as the state in which you live. The nature of construction work provides for many potential liable parties that could be part of your injury. Your injury could be due to an architect’s faulty design or engineering oversight. When there are multiple entities that are potentially liable, a construction accident attorney will work to find out who is liable to bring a lawsuit.
Can an equipment manufacturer be held responsible?
Some injuries may not be caused by a person or group of people in the workplace, but by faulty equipment. If this happens, you can sue the manufacturer of that equipment to help pay for your damages. This claim will be considered a product liability claim rather than personal injury or negligence. You will be asked to show that the equipment was in poor condition or dangerous when it left the manufacturer. You will also be required to provide proof that you were using the equipment in the correct manner.
The nature of this work is inherently dangerous, but you still have the right to a safe and hazard-free workplace. He should contact his construction accident attorney as soon as he is injured to ensure that he receives all benefits due to him.