If you or a loved one have worked in the construction industry, you don’t need to be told it is a dangerous line of work. There are countless hazards present on construction sites, and these hazards can result in severe injuries. From faulty machinery to improperly-dug trenches, accidents involving these hazards could change your life forever.
If you were hurt in a construction accident, you could be entitled to a monetary award. There could be more than one party responsible for your accident, and our firm can hold each of them accountable. Reach out to an Estero construction accident lawyer right away for more information.
Who Can I Sue for a Construction Accident?
If you were hurt in a construction accident where you work, your first instinct might be to file a lawsuit against your employer. Because of state law, this is not always an option. The state has adopted a workers’ compensation system designed to compensate employees that are hurt on the job. While this system often prevents lawsuits against an employer, it is important to check with an attorney. In some cases—like when gross negligence is involved—it could be possible to pursue legal action against your employer following a construction accident.
What’s more, there are often parties other than an employer that are at fault for a construction accident. These third parties are not covered by worker compensation laws, and a lawsuit against these individuals or entities could provide you with the financial compensation you need.
Property Owners
In some cases, the owner of the construction site is not the employer of an injured party. If the owner failed to take reasonable steps to make the property safe, they could face civil liability for any injuries that occur in an accident.
Negligent Parties
Construction accidents often result from negligent acts by people who have nothing to do with a construction site. For example, a pedestrian who wanders into a construction site and causes an accident could be sued by an injured construction worker. The same is true for a motorist that crashes their car into a construction site.
Product Manufacturers
Construction site accidents have the potential to occur due to a dangerous or defective product. This could include anything from faulty scaffolding to defective forklifts. When a defective device causes a construction accident, the manufacturer could be liable.
Architects or Engineers
Structural failures can also result in construction accidents. If an architect or engineer makes an error during the early stages of the construction process, it could result in a catastrophic accident later on. These parties could face liability for any accidents that occur.
Compensation Available in a Construction Accident Case
When construction accidents happen, the injuries that result can lead to significant consequences. You could face financial strain, physical hardship, and emotional trauma for months or years to come. Thankfully, there are different types of financial damages that could compensate you for each type of hardship. Our firm can review the facts of your case and advise you on the damages you might be entitled to recover.
Medical Expenses
Construction accidents can cause devastating injuries. These injuries are often costly to treat in terms of both time and money. From emergency treatment to long-term care, you could be entitled to a monetary award for these expenses.
Lost Wages
Some construction accident injuries are so severe that they prevent you from returning to work. In some cases, the severity of these injuries could make it impossible to work in the construction industry ever again. If you missed out on wages due to your injuries, you could recover compensation from the responsible party.
Pain and Suffering
Due to their severity, construction accidents are often painful. If you are living with physical pain from these injuries, you could be entitled to compensation. Damages for physical pain and suffering are subjective, as no two individuals experience it in the same way. Our firm could make the case that you deserve compensation for your pain and suffering.
Disfigurement
Various types of construction accidents—from falls to crushing injuries—can result in permanent disfigurement. This disfigurement could impact your ability to secure employment or overall reduce your quality of life. Like pain and suffering, these damages are also subjective.
How Can a Construction Site Accident Attorney Help?
An attorney could play a pivotal role in your construction accident injury case. While there is no requirement that you secure legal counsel, having an attorney to represent you can help you secure the favorable outcome you deserve.
Having an attorney is important because the at-fault party is likely to be represented. This is especially true if the construction company or property owner are defendants in the lawsuit. Having an attorney can ensure your lawsuit proceeds on an even playing field.
One of our attorneys can also help you understand the options in front of you. If you are employed by the construction company, they could advise you on when a workers’ compensation claim might be necessary, or when a lawsuit could be appropriate.
Your attorney can also help you negotiate a favorable settlement in your case. It is not uncommon to resolve a construction accident case with a settlement, but not every offer from the other side will be worth taking.
An attorney from GED Lawyers can carefully evaluate any offer you receive. Relying on their experience, they can advise you if the offer is worth accepting or rejecting. Negotiating with the insurance company could bring an improved offer to the table.
You Could Recover Compensation After a Construction Accident
Construction accidents have life-altering consequences, but they do not need to cost you your quality of life in the future. By successfully pursuing a civil case, you could obtain the resources needed to adjust to your long-term injuries.
The team at GED Lawyers is proud to advocate for those injured in construction accidents. If you were hurt at a construction site, you have the right to consult legal counsel about your options. Reach out to an Estero construction accident lawyer today to learn more during a free consultation.
