Construction workers have some of the more dangerous jobs. Working by busy roadways or handling heavy material on a strict schedule is a recipe for disaster. If you or a loved one has been injured while at work, seek guidance from an Atlanta construction accident lawyer.
Do not try to maneuver this system on your own. The attorneys at our law firm are familiar with Atlanta’s construction industry and the state and federal regulations designed to protect you. Our Atlanta personal injury lawyers are on your side.
Liability After a Construction Accident in Atlanta
Establishing liability after a work accident in Atlanta is essential. If you hope to be awarded compensation through a personal injury claim, your attorney must show that another party’s misconduct or negligence was responsible for causing your injuries.
Construction site property owners, construction company supervisors, workers, contractors, or subcontractors may be held accountable after an accident. If any of these parties failed to uphold their duty of care or ensure the property was safe, they could be held accountable for your damages.
However, many accidents are caused by defective machinery, heavy equipment, and other construction materials.
When forklifts, scaffolds, bulldozers, excavators, concrete mixers, and other pieces of equipment malfunction, the product manufacturer, retailer, and other third parties could share liability for your injuries.
Only a thorough review of the cause of your construction site accident will give your attorney a better idea of who could be responsible for causing your injuries. While you may need to prove liability to recover compensation through a construction accident personal injury claim, you do not need to prove liability if you seek worker’s compensation benefits.
Get the strong arm
Workers’ Compensation vs. Construction Accident Civil Lawsuits
Construction accident injuries often involve multiple court filings (workers’ compensation, personal injury, even wrongful death cases) and multiple responsible parties. Even if you are self-employed, you have protection under the law.
A personal injury case is a claim that another person or company was responsible for your injury. These claims must be proven. You may be able to file different types of claims simultaneously.
How to File for Workers’ Compensation in Atlanta
If you’ve been injured on a construction site, seek medical help immediately. A doctor can evaluate your physical condition and recommend the appropriate treatment. You need to know that you are safe before you take steps to help your chances of getting compensation.
After you know you’re medically stable, you should:
- Tell your supervisor you have been injured; this is important for a workers’ compensation case.
- Gather as much information as possible about the work site. Who is the contractor? Were the conditions unsafe? Was the work properly permitted?
- Take photographs of the accident site and write down the names and numbers of any witnesses.
- Go to your employer-approved doctor and get a diagnosis for any injuries.
- Save all bills and receipts that you get concerning your accident.
- Get in touch with a construction accident attorney as soon as possible.
Typically, on a large construction project, multiple contractors and subcontractors work next to each other. Identifying those parties would be very helpful in getting the case started. When you get your free consultation, a lawyer will assess your case and tell you what you can do about your accident.
Once you have an Atlanta workers’ compensation attorney, you can prepare your worker’s compensation claim to be filed with your employer’s worker’s compensation insurance provider.
Some of the benefits you may be entitled to as part of your construction accident worker’s compensation claim include:
- Coverage of your medical expenses
- Vocational rehabilitation benefits
- Disability benefits amounting to approximately 66% of your average weekly income
- Death benefits are awarded to surviving family members
The types and amounts of workers’ compensation benefits you can expect to collect will vary widely based on the specific details of your case. When you contact our legal team to start working on your claim, you will find out how much you could be entitled to and how to deal with the workers’ compensation appeals process.
Personal Injury Claims for Construction Accidents in Atlanta
After a construction accident, you may have the opportunity to recover worker’s compensation benefits that could provide financial relief if you were on the job at the time of the accident. However, if you do not qualify for these or were not working at the time of the accident, you may instead file a personal injury claim.
For your personal injury claim to succeed, you must prove liability. Our lawyers know the construction industry and will thoroughly analyze the events leading up to your injury.
You may be able to file a claim with the liable party’s insurance provider or your own insurance company. We will negotiate with insurance agents for fair compensation. However, we are prepared to take your case to court if we cannot obtain a favorable result.
Fortunately, when you pursue a personal injury claim for a construction accident in Atlanta, you can receive the financial assistance you need to rebuild your life. There is no limit to the damages you could recover in your claim.
You Can Discuss Your Preferred Approach to a Work Injury Case With Our Attorneys
Worker’s compensation benefits and personal injury claims are just a few ways to recover compensation for your damages following a construction accident in Atlanta.
Several other types of claims may be possible depending on the circumstances of your case:
- A product liability claim finds fault in a product, perhaps the tool or materials you use. These claims seek the same types of damages as a personal injury claim.
- A wrongful death claim seeks damages for the survivors of a loved one who has been fatally injured in an accident.
These are some ways to get justice following your construction accident. When unsure what type of claim you should file and how to recover compensation for your injuries, a construction accident lawyer in Atlanta, GA, will help. We will carefully review your case and answer any questions you have.
Your Atlanta construction accident attorney will sit with you at your free initial consultation to explore your legal options. We will ensure you understand how local laws impact your case, so you can make informed decisions about how to proceed.
Construction Accident Lawsuits Help You Secure Financial Support
The very assets that make a construction worker valuable on the job (robust health and physical strength) are jeopardized in an accident. An incapacitated breadwinner can catapult a middle-class family into poverty.
If your accident results in filing a personal injury claim, you can recover compensation based on specific damages to your livelihood and well-being. An attorney will add all your damages so the insurance company does not try to short you on the payment.
In construction accident cases, damages that victims can recover include:
- The cost of ongoing treatment like physical therapy
- Any wages you lose while you recover from your injury
- Pain and suffering
- Embarrassment and inconvenience
- Healthcare expenses and future medical care
- Loss of consortium
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of household services, including childcare costs and household maintenance fees
- Disfiguring injuries and scarring
- Loss of potential future earnings
- Mental anguish
Having an experienced personal injury attorney by your side to tally up your damages will greatly help your chances of getting all the compensation you’re owed. Your construction accident attorney in Atlanta, GA, will consider damages you’ve already suffered and costs you’re likely to pay in the future so that you have a comprehensive claim.
File Your Complaint Within Georgia’s Personal Injury Statute of Limitations
There are always time limits or statutes of limitations in a personal injury case. Your right to pursue a personal injury claim usually expires after two years, according to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated §9-3-33. However, there are instances when it expires much sooner.
In a Georgia workers’ compensation case, you are supposed to notify your supervisor that you have been injured within 30 days. If you do not, you may lose your benefits.
Call a construction accident attorney in Atlanta as soon as possible, and let us help you through this process. The longer you wait, the slimmer your chances are of getting the compensation you need.
Schedule Your Consultation With an Atlanta Construction Accident Attorney Now
The Atlanta construction accident attorneys at John Foy & Associates have worked for years to get injury victims the necessary compensation. We can handle your case while you focus on rest and recovery.
Call our team or contact us online for your FREE consultation. We’ll help you sort through the details and decide your next best step. Any call will be confidential.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form