Steps to Take After a Construction Accident
Nobody expects to get injured at work, but it happens quite often. Accidents are especially prevalent in the construction industry. For the victim, it can be a horrifying experience. You may suffer a long-term or even permanent injury.
However, you can move forward from a serious accident. You can obtain the compensation you need to recover from your injuries and pay for all your financial damages. Here are the steps you should take.
Inform Your Employer
You need to alert your employer about what happened. Contact your site manager or supervisor and inform them of your work-related injuries as soon as possible. Document every detail of the incident, including the parties involved and the sequence of events. This step will help protect your legal rights and help you get workers’ compensation benefits.
Seek Medical Assistance Right Away
You should always go to the hospital following a construction accident. Even if your injuries appear to be minor, there could be serious injuries that show up later, such as internal wounds or concussions. It’s a good idea to have medical records proving your injuries to prove your personal injury claim. If you delay seeing a doctor, it can negatively impact your claim.
Keep Detailed Records
Your case will be stronger if you have adequate proof, so document everything related to your accident. Take pictures of the accident scene, documenting what caused your injuries. Take photos of your injuries to show the healing process. Get the names and contact information of everybody who witnessed the accident, as their testimonies can be very helpful. You should also maintain all your medical documents, such as medications, test results, doctor’s notes, and bills.
Consult With a Lawyer
A construction accident attorney can help protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation. You generally have two main options: obtain workers’ compensation benefits or file a personal injury lawsuit. Workers’ compensation may pay medical costs and lost wages, but won’t fully cover your pain and suffering. A personal injury lawsuit could help you obtain a higher payout if someone else was at fault, such as an equipment manufacturer. Regardless of which option you choose, lawsuits and workers’ compensation claims often have strict filing deadlines, so act quickly.
Next Steps
If you decide to submit a personal injury claim, your lawyer will then follow up with the responsible parties to try to settle the claim. Cases are usually resolved outside of court because going to court takes a lot of time and money. Plus, there is no guaranteed outcome. However, if the insurance company refuses to settle, your attorney should be prepared to defend you in court.
Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today
A construction accident can lead to a lifetime of pain and suffering. How will you work and earn income?
A Morristown construction accident injury attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff will work to secure you the compensation you need and deserve. Schedule a consultation today to learn more. Call (973) 455-1567 or fill out the online form.
Source:
thebossmagazine.com/what-to-do-construction-accident-new-jersey/