A construction accident can be a life-changing event. As with any major accident, medical bills and recovery times pile up, making it difficult to return to a normal life or even your job. If you’ve recently been in an accident at a construction site, you might be considering filing a claim with the local courts.
A construction accident claim is complicated, and you should consider all the options before committing to the legal claim. Construction accident attorneys can help you with the entire process, from filing the claim to your court appearance.
However, you must consider four important factors before filing for a construction accident claim. Consider the accident, your injuries, who might be liable, and how a good attorney can help.
The Accident
Of course, the first factor to consider is the accident itself. A construction accident will likely have witnesses, and it’s important to get statements from these witnesses and review the evidence as soon as possible. After the initial medical care has been completed, you can gather evidence of the accident.
An accurate account of the initial incident is crucial for establishing a solid construction accident claim. Eyewitness accounts and video evidence can prove liability and negligence, which help you get the compensation you deserve and get your life back on track.
Most accidents are caused by someone breaking a rule or not acting according to safety or quality standards. As long as you can prove that your injuries were caused by another worker, construction company, or engineer underperforming or breaking a rule on the job, you are likely to have enough evidence to prove liability.
Liability
Construction accident liability depends on what caused the accident. Ideally, construction sites have well-labeled rules and regulations, and all of the workers, managers, and visitors follow those safety requirements. Accidents happen when something goes wrong, or someone isn’t following the regulations.
If you plan to take a construction accident to court, you must decide who is liable for your injuries. In most cases, liability can be assigned to whoever was breaking the rules to cause an accident. This can be anyone from the engineer to the foreman to the construction company itself.
Once you’ve proven liability, you are likely to receive compensation from your construction accident claim. In most cases, a construction company, property owner, or foreperson will settle out of court once they see that liability is provable.
Injuries
Filing a construction accident claim takes time, energy, and money. While a good attorney can help with the filing and paperwork, they will also take part of your earnings as payment for their work. You should consider how serious your injuries are and how likely you are to receive enough money.
Most claims are upheld by the court when the injuries caused are long-lasting and affect your ability to work. Whether you need extensive physical therapy, pay large medical bills, or need to find a new source of employment due to injuries, you are likely to receive adequate compensation. This holds true for physical, mental, and emotional damages.
Attorneys
Of course, you’ll need some experienced attorneys to succeed in a construction accident claim. Even if the liability is clear and the injuries are severe enough, hiring an expert to help you get as much compensation as possible is always good.
Most attorneys offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case, and many don’t ask for payment until you win. Whether you are sure, you will or not, an attorney can meet with you, discuss your case, and support you through the entire court process.
In some cases, a company or foreman will settle out of court. However, an attorney can help you file the claim and go to court if necessary. With a good lawyer, you can rest assured that you will win your case.
