A workplace injury can have a significant impact on the rest of your life. Even if you don’t sustain a long-term disability after an accident, you will likely still need to handle medical bills, loss of income, and other damages. When you work with a construction accident lawyer, you have a better chance of winning your lawsuit or settlement for workers’ compensation.
Four Tips for Finding a Construction Accident Lawyer
1. Find a Lawyer With Experience
Many people who need to file a lawsuit against their employer for a construction accident will search for a lawyer who has experience with similar cases. In particular, you will want to find a construction accident lawyer who has a proven track record for winning cases similar to yours. You can look up the experience of a lawyer by accessing public records when you are researching potential legal firms.
2. Find a Lawyer Based On Your Goals
It’s wise to search for a lawyer based on your goals. For example, if you want to sue your employer for negligence, you may want to find a legal team that is willing to take your case to court.
On the other hand, if you are suing for workers’ compensation, then a lawyer who has experience negotiating workers’ compensation settlements is likely a better match. Finding a lawyer based on your goals will ensure you and your legal team are on the same page.
3. Find a Lawyer From Specialized Firms
You may also find a lawyer from a specialized firm. Many legal firms specialize in certain types of personal injuries, such as car accidents or product recalls. For your case, you will want to search for a lawyer who specializes in workplace injuries and even employment law. Lawyers with this specialty will be well-versed in the employment laws and workers’ compensation regulations that may apply to your case.
4. Find a Lawyer With a Good Reputation
Finally, when it comes to legal representation, reputation may be another factor that can narrow down your search. The reputation of your lawyer will tell you about the overall success of your prospective legal team.
Lawyers with good reputations have satisfied clients, so searching for online reviews is a good way to assess a lawyer. Reputation matters, and a lawyer with a good reputation may have connections that make it easier to successfully investigate your case or negotiate your claim.
How Common Are Construction Accidents?
Construction accidents are very common. In fact, workers in the construction industry are at a higher risk of sustaining serious injury than workers in other fields. In 2020, one out of five construction workers were victims of workplace accidents that resulted in death, most of them due to slips, trips, and falls.
Construction workers who are injured on the job are likely to sustain injuries such as traumatic brain injury, concussion, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, loss of limb, and much more. Even for workers who sustain injuries that are not life-threatening, the risk of developing a temporary or permanent disability is high. Furthermore, recovering from these injuries may take several weeks or months.
Can You Sue for Pain and Suffering?
Many construction workers who are injured on the job may be able to sue their employer for pain and suffering compensation. Pain and suffering compensation is designed to make up for the physical and psychological pain related to an injury, particularly if an injury is serious or causes a life-long health condition.
Why Do You Need a Construction Accident Lawyer?
The high risk to construction workers is the primary reason why employers should provide workers with benefits such as workers’ compensation. If your employer refuses to provide workers’ compensation benefits or fires you for being unable to work, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit. A lawyer will look out for your best interests, so you can receive the benefits you deserve as an injured employee.
Sometimes, you may also need to sue your employer for negligence. If your employer did not enforce policies that protect workers, such as safety regulations and protective equipment, your employer may be guilty of negligence. A lawyer will use evidence related to your employer to prove that negligence caused your injuries so you can receive additional compensation to pay for medical bills, ongoing medical treatments, and other damages.
Construction workers face a much higher risk of sustaining a serious injury than other employees, which is why it’s so important for injured workers to find excellent legal representation, including seeking advice on potential indemnity. You can find a top-notch lawyer by searching for an attorney with experience, a good reputation, or a specialty in the type of workplace injury you have sustained.
Interesting Related Article: “The Top 5 Construction Accidents And How To Avoid Them“