No lie in the fact that construction sites are one of the most dangerous workplaces around the world. That is why accidents and injuries are highly predictable. Many construction workers suffer from serious injuries and, in the worst cases, instant death or lifelong illness.
Given the seriousness of accidents around the construction sites, workers need to be more aware of their legal rights. This way, it will be easier for them to handle the aftermath. While the facts and circumstances differ in every construction accident, here are some specific measures you should be well aware of!
Read on to learn how to tackle a construction injury:
Get Medical Attention Immediately
Depending on the injury, if it is minor, it can be treated with first aid. However, if you don’t get first aid help, you need to immediately seek medical attention. The best you can do is to call 911 or ask your coworker to do it for you.
Going for medical treatment is a highly critical step that you must prioritize. Whether you think you are not injured, you need to get your body examined. In several cases, symptoms of any internal injury appear after days or weeks.
While getting yourself examined by a health professional will help them rule out any internal injury. In case there is some serious damage, you will be recommended a course of treatment. During the time you are getting treatment, ensure all the details are recorded for any claiming case in the future.
Notify Employer Instantly
Although your manager or supervisor will be informed about the accident, it isn’t the same as reporting it.
Every organization has an accident book, and in the construction business – there is no exception. Under the New York State Law, you can get 30 days to report the accident to the employer. However, in many cases, the employer resists not reporting the accident to the accident book.
The major reason behind this is maintaining the reputation and performance of a business. No matter how much your employer resists you from filing the accident in a record, make sure you get the accident recorded for your worker’s compensation claim.
This will help you in preserving your rights and work as a critical piece of evidence. While you are filing the report, be sure to document the date, location, time, and main cause of the accident.
File A Worker’s Compensation Claim
Workplace accidents are terrible events to handle on your own. While you are juggling extreme physical pain and health loss, there are financial challenges as well to tear you down. In such cases, it can be devastating for a person to bear all the expenses during the recovery process.
That’s why it is advised to file a worker’s compensation claim after a construction accident. This will help you to get immediate benefits that will support you financially. In most cases of construction accidents, general workers have to sue to recover the damages.
However, depending on the state in which you are working, you need to abide by the laws and regulations when filing a claim. For example, if you’re employed in Rochester, you will need experienced Rochester Construction Accident Lawyers to review your case for a construction accident claim.
While you’re suffering from health and wage loss, a competent and experienced lawyer by your side will find the best possible options for recovering and protecting your rights.
In case your employer has workers’ compensation, the lawyer will help you fill out the form and send it to the workers’ compensation division. By taking this step, you will establish your rights to medical and income benefits.
Collect All Evidence
If you find yourself conscious and capable by the time of the accident, you can take photos or obtain evidence that will help you with the claiming process. Not many workers take action and collect evidence. Later on, when they are in recovery, the employer brings changes to the site and improves safety.
However, in many cases, this act covers up the scene and changes the whole narrative of the story. You can also consider sharing information about the accident with your trusted coworker and ask them to record the details as well.
They will act as a witness at the time of investigation. The other crucial thing to have recorded is your medical documents. Keep records of your injuries and symptoms. This will elaborate on the extent of your injuries and allow you to place value on the case that you deserve.
Contact An Attorney
Dealing with any construction injury is no easy task. There are several complexities involved in the process. Going for a compensation claim by the insurance company is always a taxing job. They will pretend to be empathic with you over your loss. But deep down, all they care about is their own benefits.
The insurance company will also attempt to offer you the bare minimum coverage as usual. This will offer no benefit to you for the loss you had. That’s why consider contacting an attorney as a priority to let the professional handle all the tactics of the insurance provider.
The attorney will also calculate the loss and add value to it. Fortunately, many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency framework. This means you don’t have to worry about their fee and expenses until you win the claim and get compensated.
Keep All the Records
Before you go for a legal claim, experts advise you to stay organized. Keep track of all your paperwork and electronic documents related to the injury. Organize all your medical bills and treatment plans that you have considered.
Create an ongoing file that contains your test results, symptoms you had, rehabilitation plan, etc. You can also make copies of bills and statements explaining the financial trouble. Other than this, voice or video record the details of an accident as long as you have a fresh memory of it.
Remember, personal injury claim cases take years in most cases. Recording data and gathering all the evidence will strengthen your case in the long run. So, ensure you’re not missing out on any minor detail relevant to your case.
