Construction workers who are hurt on the job should have their situations reviewed by an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney. Some people might think for benefits, a person does not need an attorney and can file the claim themselves. This may be true. However, a worker should always speak to a construction accident attorney as soon as possible after an incident at a construction site leaves them injured.
Construction Accident Attorney Will Review Your Construction Injury Claim For Free
Our personal injury lawyer will review your situation for free and offer you legal advice as to the best steps to move forward. In some cases, our attorney might recommend you handle the construction injury claim yourself and offer you legal guidance to do so. In other situations, our work accident attorneys spot additional claims construction workers may have over and beyond their construction injury benefits. There is no cost to this consultation, and there is no obligation to hire the McArthur Law Firm after a meeting.
Third-Party Claims for Construction Workers
The type of claim that injured construction workers may have in addition to construction injury benefits is known as a third party personal injury claim. Construction injury benefits protect the employer and other employees after an on-the-job accident; workers give up their right to sue their employee or coworker, but in return they get construction injury insurance.
Unfortunately, construction injury claims only cover a portion of an employee’s regular salary and medical bills. It does not offer the full amount of lost wages or other damages, such as pain and suffering.
If a construction worker was harmed due to the negligence of a contractor or sub-contractor of a different company, however, the injured party may have a claim for personal injury under Georgia law. For example, this might be the situation where:
- A worker slips on a tool or piece of equipment negligently left in the walkway by a different contractor;
- A worker is electrocuted by a faulty wire negligently installed by a contractor;
- A worker, either on foot or in a truck, is hit by another vehicle driven negligently by a different contractor;
- A worker falls off a scaffold or through the floor of a site due to negligent maintenance or installation by another contractor.
These situations are merely examples of third party claims that occur on construction sites. Third party claims happen frequently in the construction industry, as there is often a number of contractors and sub-contractors working at the same site at the same time.
Speak to a Construction Injury Attorney
Our construction injury lawyers offer free case reviews to injured construction workers. There is no cost and no obligation to have your case reviewed, so come for a consultation and learn how to best protect yourself in this situation. Our Georgia construction injury attorneys can offer you legal advice and guidance as to how to move forward with your claim, and whether you have additional claims you were unaware of previously. We are able to help construction workers in Albany, Atlanta, and Savannah understand their rights after workplace accidents. Our statewide firm can also assist Columbus, Augusta, and workers located nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What should I do after a construction accident in Georgia?
If you are injured on a construction site, seek medical attention immediately and report the accident to your employer. Document the incident if possible and keep records of your injuries and treatment. It is also wise to speak with a construction accident attorney to understand your legal options.
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Do I need a lawyer to file a construction injury claim?
Not always. Some workers can file a claim for benefits on their own. However, consulting with an experienced construction accident attorney can help ensure you understand all of your rights and identify any additional claims you may have.
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What are construction injury benefits?
Construction injury benefits, often provided through workers’ compensation, help cover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages after a workplace injury. These benefits are designed to protect employees who are injured on the job. However, they typically do not cover full lost wages or damages such as pain and suffering.
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What is a third-party construction accident claim?
A third-party claim arises when someone other than your employer or coworker is responsible for the accident. In these cases, the injured worker may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party. These claims can allow recovery for damages that workers’ compensation does not cover.
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Who can be responsible in a third-party construction accident claim?
Liability may fall on contractors, subcontractors, equipment manufacturers, or other companies working on the job site. Construction sites often involve multiple parties, increasing the likelihood that someone outside your employer may be responsible for unsafe conditions. Determining responsibility typically requires a detailed investigation.
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What are examples of third-party construction accidents?
Examples include slipping on equipment left in a walkway by another contractor, being electrocuted by improperly installed wiring, or being struck by a vehicle operated by another contractor. Falls caused by poorly installed scaffolding or unsafe site maintenance can also lead to third-party claims. These situations may allow injured workers to pursue additional compensation.
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What compensation may be available after a construction accident?
Workers’ compensation may provide medical coverage and partial wage replacement. If a third-party claim is available, injured workers may also pursue compensation for full lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. The amount of compensation depends on the circumstances of the accident and the severity of the injuries.
More Construction Injury Resources
If you’d like to learn more about the different types of construction injury cases McArthur Law Firm handles, read our informative articles below. We explain all the different types of construction injury cases we handle.
