Atlanta Construction Accident Lawyers
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Construction accidents often cause fatal injuries. If you survived the accident, you may be permanently disabled. If you’re a disabled construction worker, you might be unable to earn a living. We know that you feel discouraged right now. However, you have legal options. Call our Atlanta construction accident lawyers ASAP.
Our Atlanta work injury lawyers have successfully represented construction accident victims for decades. We’ll deliver the best customer service and the greatest result. Our prior victories and our 5-star client reviews validate that promise.
Call us today at (404) 939-9470. Also, you may fill-out our online contact form to schedule a free case review with an Atlanta construction accident lawyer. If you’ve got questions, we’ve got the answers.
What an Atlanta Construction Accident Lawyer Can Do for Your Case
Construction workers are automatically entitled to workers’ compensation benefits when they suffer an injury on the job. However, employer’s insurance companies often offer unfairly low settlements or deny valid claims. A construction accident lawyer will handle your workers’ comp claim on your behalf and ensure your rights are protected. Having representation will significantly increase your chances of recovering fair benefit payments. Additionally, they will investigate your accident to determine if a third party (not including your employer) contributed to your injury. If so, they have the resources to gather critical evidence to support your third-party claim, will accurately estimate the value of your case, and handle all communication with the insurance companies, including negotiations for a fair settlement. Although insurance adjusters can seem nice, they are not on your side and will try to settle your claim for less than its worth. However, suppose they are unwilling to settle for fair compensation. In that case, your attorney will prepare your claim for trial and represent you in court to ensure you recover the compensation you deserve.
Common Atlanta Construction Accidents
Every year, construction site incidents injure thousands of people. Most construction accidents injure construction workers. However, some construction accidents also injure people that travel near a construction site. For instance, 772 motorists die each year in road construction accidents.
If you were injured on a construction site, the general contractor (GC) must keep you safe from needless risks. For instance, if you work on an elevated structure, the GC must ensure that it’s stable. If the structure collapses, you can file a workers’ comp claim. Also, if a third party erected the structure that collapsed, you can sue them for damages.
Here are the common construction accidents that we handle:
- Deadly falls
- Asbestos inhalation
- Electrocution accidents
- Explosions
- Equipment failures
- Fallen objects
- Fires
- Flying debris
- Forklift accidents
- Poisonous fumes
- Structural collapses
- Work vehicle accidents
Steps To Take After A Construction Site Accident
You should always get your injuries treated ASAP. If you don’t, your injuries might not heal. Additionally, the insurance adjuster will low-ball your claim if you don’t seek medical treatment.
Next, you should file a workers’ comp claim. Don’t wait to file that claim. If you wait longer than 30 days, the worker’s comp carrier may deny your claim.
Then, you should call a construction accident lawyer. Your lawyer can help you recover workers’ comp benefits. Also, your lawyer will evaluate whether you can file a personal injury claim.
Who Is Responsible for a Construction Accident?
Construction workers cannot hold employers legally responsible for an accident as long as they carry workers’ compensation insurance and do not intentionally cause you harm. However, when a third party partially or entirely caused your injury, you can pursue a personal injury claim for compensation beyond what workers’ comp covers. Examples of third parties that may be liable include:
A General Contractor, Construction Manager, or Subcontractor
These parties are required by law to provide workers with reasonably safe construction sites and warn of any hazards.
Property Owners
Property owners have a duty to keep the premises reasonably safe for construction workers hired to work on the property by fixing or warning of known hazards or ones they should have known about.
Design Professional
Professionals such as engineers or architects can be legally liable if their design plans for what is being constructed were defective and failed to meet safety standards, resulting in injury.
Product Manufacturers and Suppliers
If defective equipment, tools, or materials contributed to your accident, the faulty product’s manufacturer and any other party involved in its distribution chain may be liable.
A construction accident lawyer can investigate the facts of your case to determine if any other parties can be held accountable.
Construction Injury Compensation
Construction accidents cause many disabling injuries. Many victims have to undergo extensive medical treatment. Your medical treatment bills may exceed $100,000.
If you were injured on the job, workers’ comp benefits cover your medical costs. They also cover some of your lost wages. However, they don’t cover your pain and suffering injuries.
The only way to recover pain and suffering damages is to sue a third party. A third party is an entity other than your employer. For instance, heavy machines injure many workers. If the machine malfunctions, you can sue the machine manufacturer. Also, if a third party’s employee injured you, you can sue the third party.
You may not know if a third party harmed you. That’s OK. Our Atlanta construction accident lawyers will figure that out for you.
Here are the damages that you can potentially recover for a third-party construction accident claim:
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Medical costs
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Property damage
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim for a Construction Injury in Atlanta?
The statute of limitations is the most important deadline when pursuing a personal injury claim after a construction injury in Atlanta. Under Georgia Code Section 9-3-33, injury victims have only two years to file a personal injury lawsuit related to a construction accident. If the deadline passes, your right to file a lawsuit is gone forever. The defendant (at-fault party) and their legal team can file a motion to dismiss the lawsuit and point out the fact that the statute of limitations has expired. Unless an exception applies to extend the deadline, which is rare, your case will almost certainly be dismissed.
Wrongful Death Compensation
If someone you love died in a construction accident, you can file a wrongful death claim. Spouses, children, and parents of the deceased are all potential claimants. Estate representatives also can file wrongful death claims.
Wrongful death claims enable you to recover compensation for the loss of your loved one’s care and companionship. If the deceased was your family’s breadwinner, you can also recover damages to cover your lost household income. Additionally, funeral expenses are recoverable.
To learn more about wrongful death construction accident claims, call our Atlanta work injury lawyers.
Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers Can Help You
At Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers, we’re recovered millions of dollars for construction accident victims. We’re glad to help you, as well. Just give us a call.
Call us today at (404) 939-9470. Also, you may fill out our online contact form to schedule a free case review with an Atlanta construction accident lawyer.