A safe and healthy work environment is critical to the everyday operations of any construction enterprise. However, no matter how careful you are, accidents sometimes happen. Employers and supervisors need to be aware of what to do when an accident occurs on the job place. A Philadelphia construction accident lawyer has put up a list of things to keep in mind for anyone involved in a construction site accident.
Several dangers must be overcome to keep a construction site running well. High-risk materials, risky equipment, and inadequately trained co-workers are just some of the hazards construction employees face. Every year, more than 360,000 nonfatal construction site injuries and more than 1,000 fatalities are reported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
State and federal safety requirements have been implemented around the country due to the worrying injury numbers for construction workers. Safety measures (training, personal protective equipment, etc.) are included in these rules, as are suggestions on what to do in the case of an accident to ensure your employees’ rights and well-being.
There are inherent dangers in construction activity. There is a far higher potential for harm in this line of work than in any other. Construction employees have a right to a safe workplace, even though it is one of the riskiest vocations. Workers’ compensation regulations often include construction-related injuries. A harmed construction worker may have to file a personal injury lawsuit in infrequent circumstances.
After a construction injury, you should take the following steps to ensure that you are adequately cared for and paid, regardless of your specific scenario.
Be Ready For Anything
Preparedness is the first step in coping with a construction disaster. It is critical for construction employers, contractors, and subcontractors to be prepared for an accident on the job site. Employees and managers should be well-trained and know who to call and what procedures to follow. Our law firm will assist you in understanding your legal responsibilities in the case of an accident on the construction site.
See a Doctor
It doesn’t matter how large or small your injury is; you must seek emergency medical attention. If your construction company is operating correctly, you can ensure that a doctor will be on-site to examine the injuries right away. In addition, you may be eligible for free medical coverage via your job or through Medicare. In addition, if you have a suitable contract, you should be entitled to pay for the time it takes you to recover from an illness or injury. If you are a worker and lose your income, you must find a new source of income or rely on your family and friends for financial support.
Make Sure Your Boss Knows
Once you’ve taken care of any urgent health issues, you must immediately notify your employer about the accident. Statutes vary from state to state, but many mandate that employees report incidents within a particular time frame.
If your employer does not know about the accident, they cannot follow these procedures.
Make sure to get a copy of the accident report when you file a claim. When describing what happened, be as descriptive as possible and include all the details you can recall. In the case of a disagreement, a well-written report will be helpful.
Gather Data and Statistics
You must obtain as much information as possible about your accident and injuries. Payment can be made more quickly if all of this information is available. These are samples of data you should gather:
- The witnesses’ names and phone numbers. If there were any witnesses to the accident, ask for their contact information. Request information from witnesses who are reluctant to provide it without fear of offending them. Make sure that you don’t offend witnesses who may be able to help you in the future.
- Images of the incident and any damage that may have been done. If you can, photograph the site of the accident. If your company fails to provide you with suitable safety gear, photos of the incident should be saved in a secure location. Pictures of any damage caused by the incident should also be taken (cracked headgear, torn shirt, bruised arm, etc.).
- If you want to get compensated for medical expenses in the future, you must begin tracking your medical costs. The accident’s impact on your life will necessitate that you keep a daily journal.
- The written correspondence between you and your employer. Set up a file on your computer where you may save all of your official correspondence from your job. You should also keep track of any interaction you have with your employer regarding your accident or injuries.
How to File For Workers’ Compensation
As soon as an employee gets hurt on the job, the company’s workers’ compensation insurance provider should be informed. State-mandated workers’ compensation insurance offers financial assistance to workers who are injured on the job. A construction site accident can result in a lawsuit against an employer, but workers’ compensation insurance can also shield them from this.
Although workers’ compensation insurance protects employers from most lawsuits, a wounded employee or the surviving family members of a deceased employee can nonetheless pursue legal action against them.
Get Legal Help
It’s best to have an attorney on your side from the beginning to avoid costly blunders. Worker’s compensation insurance companies are in the business of making money, and they will do all they can to deny or underpay your claim. Experienced attorneys can assist you in the following ways:
- Conducting an investigation into your accident, gathering evidence, and speaking with any witnesses who may be able to vouch for you
- Ensure that all paperwork is submitted in a timely and appropriate way
- will negotiate on your behalf with the Insurers and their adjusters
- Taking care of any rejections and appeals
- If you are not covered by workers’ compensation, you may file a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
- As a last resort, you can take your matter to court.
A Philadelphia construction accident lawyer should be contacted if you or a loved one has been harmed in an accident on the job. A Philadelphia Injury Lawyers, P.C. can assist you in securing the money you are entitled to.
