When workers get injured on construction sites, they have coverage under the Federal Workers’ Compensation Law. However, workers’ compensation is not always enough to cover the extent of loss suffered by a worker who sustained an injury or may have even died due to an accident on the job.
According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s (OSHA) statistics, 20% of worker fatalities in 2019 happened in construction. After sustaining injuries and damages on a construction site, the law protects you and your rights to compensation. To ensure that you get a fair settlement, contact our construction accident lawyers in Boca Raton today to learn more.
How Workers’ Compensation Works for Construction Accidents in Boca Raton
Any Boca Raton companies employing workers in the construction field must carry workers’ compensation insurance, even if just one worker is employed. This is a no-fault system that covers most accidents, injuries, illnesses, or deaths that might occur on the job.
However, there are limits to the amount covered. There are also rules related to when injuries must be reported to employers and how long a worker has to file a claim. Almost all workers’ compensation claims resolve out of court, as the system was designed to avoid any sort of trial and speed up the time it takes for workers to receive compensation.
If your claim gets denied, a workers’ compensation lawyer can help you sort out the details and file an appeal.
Should I Hire a Construction Accident Lawyer?
The personal injury attorneys at the Eltringham Law Group help you understand your rights under federal workers’ compensation laws, as well as see that you get what you deserve when workers’ compensation isn’t enough or other parties are liable for your injury.
Rules surrounding workers’ compensation can be confusing. Insurance companies, employers, and third parties alike may try to deny culpability or minimize the benefits you are entitled to by claiming that your injuries were not sustained on the job or that they are less severe than you claim. In addition, they may try to intimidate you or confuse you with legal jargon.
Insurance companies are businesses, and they don’t want to pay you anything less than the bare minimum for your injuries. So, don’t let them get away with forcing you to settle for less. Our construction accident lawyers in Boca Raton will ensure that your best interests get represented at all times.
What to Expect Following Your Construction Accident
When you choose our Boca Raton construction accident attorneys to represent you following a jobsite injury, here is what you can expect from our services:
- We offer free consultations so that you can get all your questions answered and can spend time talking directly with an experienced attorney about your rights and expected outcomes.
- Leave all the work to us. We will contact doctors, hospitals, witnesses, insurance providers, police, attorneys, and anyone else necessary to settle your claim. We will thoroughly investigate your accident and build a solid case so that you are more likely to be awarded additional compensation from insurance companies or other parties.
- You can focus on yourself. Whether you are still recovering from injuries or are simply dealing with stress and anxiety, now is the time to focus on your own needs. Leave the details of your case in the hands of experienced attorneys that will get the job done right.
- We work on a contingent fee basis. This means that you don’t need to lay out any money upfront to have our injury attorneys work on your case. We don’t get paid unless we recover a financial settlement or jury award for you.
Insurance companies want you to think that you don’t need a lawyer for your construction accident claim. So, they’ll often try to persuade you with exaggerations and try to get you to settle fast. Before you accept any sort of offer they make, you must obtain legal representation first.
Common Causes of Construction Accidents
Thousands of construction accidents each year leave Florida workers severely injured or even result in permanent disability or death. While not an exhaustive list, some causes of construction accidents include:
- Falls
- Crane accidents
- Scaffolding malfunctions
- Faulty machinery
- Vehicle malfunctions
- Inadequate training
- Improper safety measures
- Exposure to toxic materials
- “Cutting corners” to save money
- Dangerous work environment
It doesn’t matter how exactly your accident occurred. As long as you got hurt on the construction site, regardless of fault, you can file a claim through workers’ compensation and get the settlement you need.
Damages You Can Pursue After a Construction Accident
There are several damages that you can recover through a construction accident claim. These are some of the most common that our construction accident lawyers in Boca Raton help win a settlement for.
Medical Expenses
Injuries you sustain in a construction accident such as:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries
- Loss of limb
- Cuts, scrapes, and bruises
These injuries can all cost a small fortune to recover from. You don’t need to pay for any of your medical expenses. Both workers’ compensation and a third-party claim will allow you to calculate all your medical costs and get reimbursed for them. In addition, you can also recover further compensation for any future medical needs.
Lost Wages
Construction accidents are deadly and can take weeks, sometimes even months, to recover. But, while you recover, that doesn’t mean your bills suddenly get paused while you heal from your injuries. You still have many financial obligations, and if you don’t work, you can’t get paid the money to cover them.
Thankfully, both workers’ compensation and third-party claims for construction accidents will allow you to recover a settlement that factors in your lost wages. So, whatever wages you couldn’t earn due to your injury will get paid out.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering damages is an umbrella term and typically refer to more than just physical pain:
- Mental anguish and emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement and disability
Most workers’ compensation claims won’t cover these damages unless they directly link to your physical injury in some way. Third-party claims, however, can factor these damages in at any time. Our goal is to ensure that you can get compensated for these damages if possible so that you get the maximum settlement available for your claim.
Get a Free Consultation Today
To schedule your free consultation or for more information about construction accidents or any accident on the job, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Boca Raton construction accident lawyers at Eltringham Law Group today. Contact us online or over the phone at (561) 338-0420. We are available 24/7 to help you.
Common Legal Questions About Construction Accidents
If you have been involved in a construction accident, whether minor or severe, you likely have many questions that need to be answered. Some of the most common questions include: