About Construction Site Accidents

There are few work environments that are more dangerous than a construction site.  When companies adhere to the required safety procedures, they can reduce the number of accidents, but tragic and unexpected accidents and injuries occur under the best of circumstances.  Some companies fail in their safety procedures, and cut corners in an effort to save money or through a misguided idea that the job will be done more quickly.  A construction worker who is injured in one of these accidents can face devastating changes to their lives, such as in scaffold falls, equipment malfunctions, crane accidents, and trench cave-ins, among others.  When this occurs, usually worker's compensation gets involved and will pay certain costs for the worker.  In some cases, the claim that is paid is much lower than would be expected if a construction accident lawyer was involved.

Construction Site Accident Claims

As there are frequently third parties that are part of the claim, such as subcontractors who provided the unsafe scaffolding or equipment manufacturing companies that provided faulty equipment to the company and the worker, the claim could extend beyond just worker's compensation.  As each case must be thoroughly analyzed to determine how to proceed, it is important to contact an attorney as quickly as possible after the accident.  Usually the families are focused on the health and recovery of their loved one, and do not have time, interest or understanding about how to handle the claim properly, and can become frustrated with the procedure.  Claim forms, long waits on phone calls, and denials are not uncommon when dealing with worker's compensation or other insurance companies.  In fact, some individuals become so frustrated when attempting to handle the situation without legal help that they accept a settlement far lower than they would have gotten with legal assistance. 

It is important that these cases are handled carefully, correctly and quickly.  However, there may be delays on occasion when the insurance company is demanding certain proof or comes up with further questions or any denial of a part of the claim.  The attorney takes this complex and confusing situation off the plate of the injured and their families and allows them to focus on what is most important:  their loved one.  An attorney is a critical part of any construction site injury accident.