Construction work is one of the most dangerous jobs in Atlanta and throughout the United States. Construction accidents happen all too often. The United States Department of Labor reports that one in five deaths of workers happen in the construction industry.
If you or a loved one has been injured on your construction job, it’s important that you speak to a qualified Atlanta workers’ comp attorney as soon as possible. The Gearhart Law Group has the skill and knowledge to handle your construction accident case.
If you were injured performing your construction job in Atlanta, you may believe that workers’ compensation is your only source of financial recovery. However, depending on the specific facts of your individual case, you may be entitled to monetary compensation beyond what Atlanta’s workers’ compensation insurance may offer you.
What Are the Most Common Types of Construction Accidents in Atlanta?
If you work in the Atlanta construction industry you are well aware of the different types of dangerous equipment, material and machinery on your job site. If you work on one of these sites, along with an innocent bystander, you may be injured in any number of ways including, but not limited to:
- Burn Injuries
- Construction Falls
- Electrocutions
- Equipment Accidents
- Falling Objects and/or Debris
- Machinery Accidents
- Scaffolding Accidents
- Trips and Falls
What Are the Most Common Injuries in an Atlanta Construction Accident?
Most injuries in a construction accident are catastrophic, and approximately 70% of all construction accident deaths are caused by electrocution, bring impaled by an object, falls, or being crushed. Some of the more minor injuries you may suffer on an Atlanta construction site include, but aren’t limited to:
- Broken Bones
- Burns
- Disfigurement
- Head Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Paralysis
- Loss of Limb
- Amputations
The truth is that construction injuries can be extremely severe. In addition to the medical treatment you may be out of work for a long period of time and suffer financial hardship.
What Should I Do After My Atlanta Construction Accident?
It’s important that you do the following after your Atlanta construction accident:
- If possible, immediately report your injuries and what happened to your manger/employer
- Get immediate medical treatment from a work-approved doctor or other medical professional
- Keep in contact with any co-workers who witnessed your accident
- Talk to your employer to see if they made a claim to their workers’ compensation insurance company
- Keep track of all your documents, bills, statements, and any other important information that has to do with your Atlanta construction accident
- Work with an Atlanta attorney who understands your individual case to make sure it’s handled properly and effectively.
Can I Get Fired for Being Injured or Filing A Claim in Atlanta?
It may be that you are not working for a long period of time after your Atlanta construction accident so you can heal properly. If your employer attempts to retaliate against you for being injured or filing a workers’ compensation claim, we will step in and ensure that you receive justice. **there is no anti retaliation statute in GA….
Is There A Difference Between a Workers’ Compensation Claim and Personal Injury Claim in Atlanta?
Yes. Workers’ compensation is a benefit for you to sue. Typically, even if you were responsible for your construction accident you can still file a claim for workers’ compensation in Atlanta.
However, you are typically not allowed to sue your direct employer for your injuries, even if they were responsible. You must go through Atlanta’s workers’ compensation to receive any financial assistance.
However, you still may be able to file one of four different types of claims for your Atlanta construction accident depending on your individual circumstances. They include:
- Workers’ Compensation: In this type of claim, no one has to be at fault. You were injured on your job and your employers’ insurance should cover your injuries. However, your Atlanta employer’s insurance company may deny your workers’ compensation claim.
- Personal Injury Claim: In a personal injury claim, there has to be a party that is responsible for your injuries. You can’t sue your employer, you may be able to bring a claim against a third party. This claim may seek damages including pain and suffering, medical expenses, future medical treatment, lost wages, loss of earning potential, etc. If someone was criminally negligent and caused your Atlanta construction injuries, the court may also award you punitive damages.
- Product Liability Claim: In this type of lawsuit, you can sue the manufacturer or retailer if a faulty product caused your injury. We must prove that the product was defective, it caused your construction injury, and a third party was negligent.
- Wrongful Death Claim: This type of lawsuit happens if a loved one died in a construction accident. The monetary compensation will go to a loved one like your spouse or children.
If you have been injured on an Atlanta construction site, you need to speak with one of the Atlanta construction accident lawyers at The Gearhart Law Group immediately. We offer free consultations, and you will talk to an attorney who can explain your legal rights, options, and what steps should be taken to ensure you receive all the monetary compensation you deserve.
