Every year, thousands of construction workers are injured or killed because of on the job accidents. Many times it occurs because the employer or contractor failed to provide fall protection equipment and other safety precautions. Injured construction workers have a legal right to compensation for their damages.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is a federal agency that regulates workplace safety in the United States. They have defined requirements for many industries, including construction. For instance, if a worker is working more than six feet above the ground, they are required to wear a harness or other type of fall protection. Another common example is the failure to have guardrails in place when there are floor openings or an open wall with no barrier. Construction workers may mistakenly fall into an opening and injure themselves.
What Can You Do About Your Construction Injury?
Construction companies are like any other entity or person in the sense that there are a lot of good ones out there that follow safety standards and run very safe workplaces. However, there are also a lot of bad ones out there that do not care about their workers and just want to get the job done and get paid. There are a lot of companies and contractors that try to cut corners on a regular basis.
Workers compensation is not the only recourse one can take after being injured at work. The whole idea behind workers compensation is that it compensates workers for their injuries if there is an incident. Workers compensation does not require the employee to prove their employer’s negligence. In exchange, the worker cannot sue their employer for damages, even if the employer was responsible for the accident occurring.
However, if there are other individuals or companies involved who contributed to causing the accident such as a subcontractor, the worker has legal recourse. With the help of a personal injury lawyer, you can file an injury claim against the responsible party or parties.
If the employer does not have workers compensation, the employee can file a claim against the employer to seek compensation. As opposed to a workers compensation claim, a personal injury claim can include damages such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and disfigurement. Reach to an attorneys to clarify whether or not you have a valid claim.
Contact a Knowledgeable Attorney
An attorney will do their best to ensure you get the fair and just compensation you deserve. Start fighting for your rights; contact a lawyer, like a personal injury lawyer relies on, today.
