On construction sites, strict regulations are in place to ensure worker and personal safety. These guidelines are consistent with the Suniga Law Firm’s philosophy, which upholds the golden rule of treating others as though they were your own.
Our construction accident law firm was founded on a foundation of passion, expertise, and commitment. As you recover from your accident and look for fair compensation for your injuries, we offer a shoulder to cry on and a helping hand. Every step of the way in your battle, we are by your side.

What Qualifies As A Construction Accident?

Construction work is a dangerous business. Construction accidents occur during building, repair, cleaning, demolition, or other activities at a particular construction site. They can cause personal injury, property damage, or both.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), about 1 in 5 work-related fatalities occur in the construction industry. Thousands of construction workers are killed each year, and many more suffer serious injuries such as brain injuries, broken bones and punctured organs.

What are the different types of construction accidents?

Many types of construction accidents can be fatal or cause serious injuries, such as:

• Falls: Construction workers often run the risk of falling from great heights.
• Impact accidents: workers can be struck by construction vehicles such as forklifts or conventional vehicles such as cars. They are also at risk from falling objects such as debris or equipment.
  Accidents due to entrapment or being caught in the middle: A worker entering a confined space can become trapped. This type of accident often involves large machinery or containers, vehicles, trenches, holes or other excavations.
• Electrocution: construction workers can be endangered by power lines, broken or poorly maintained power tools, or frayed power cords.
• Slip and fall accidents: Construction sites have nearly countless trip and slip hazards due to debris, loose flooring, slippery surfaces or inadequate lighting.
• Fires and explosions: Any construction site that has flammable materials, heating equipment, other electrical equipment or explosives is at risk for fires or worse.
• Overexertion: The construction trade is demanding and sometimes very strenuous. Sometimes construction injuries are the result of muscle strains or repetitive stress.

What should I do immediately after a work injury?

If you are injured in a construction accident, you need to act quickly. The following steps can help you prepare for a legal claim while making sure your injuries receive medical attention.

Get medical treatment

You should see a doctor as soon as possible after the accident. Even if you feel you only need first aid, you may not realize the full extent of your injuries until later.

Notify your employer

You must notify your employer immediately in order to file a compensation claim. This will also allow you to prove that your employer knows about the conditions or risks that led to the accident.

Gather evidence of the incident and your injuries

You can begin building your legal claim as soon as you feel able. If possible, take photos of your injuries and the site before seeking medical treatment. Write down as much as you can about when, where and how the accident occurred, and include the names of anyone who may have witnessed the accident. The more information you can provide, the better.

Keep your records

Keep all records you have received related to the accident and your injuries, including medical bills, medical records, medications, and correspondence with your employer. If you are unable to work due to your injuries, pay stubs from before the accident can help prove lost wages.

Talk to a construction accident lawyer

We can provide confidential advice and help you understand your legal options, which may include a workers’ compensation claim or personal injury lawsuit.

Workers’ compensation for your construction injuries

If you have suffered a construction accident, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Regardless of whether you were at fault for the accident, workers’ compensation benefits will be paid if the insurance company approves your claim.

But what do the benefits cover? In general, workers’ compensation benefits should cover the following:

• Medical expenses: medical expenses include more than just the immediate costs of treating the injury. You may be able to claim your medical bills, as well as the costs of physical therapy, rehabilitation, and other expenses related to an injury from a construction accident
• Wage replacement benefits: If you’re unable to work due to your injuries, you may be able to receive compensation to ensure that you don’t lose your income. There’s no question that you’ll be forced to take time off work to recover after a construction injury. These lost wages should definitely be part of your compensation claim.
• Death benefits: a worker’s dependents may receive benefits after a fatal accident on the job site.
• Emotional trauma: In addition to the physical injuries and rehabilitation, there’s the emotional trauma that results from the incident. It’s natural to feel anxious after a life-changing accident, which can lead to seeing a therapist for mental health support.
• Pain and suffering: As painful as the accident will be at that time, there is a very real possibility that you will live in some form of pain for the rest of your life due to the injury. Fair financial support must be sought to compensate for this ongoing suffering.

The amount of benefit you receive depends on how long you are unable to work and the type of injury you suffer. Unfortunately, many insurers struggle with paying legitimate compensation.