Construction sites are naturally dangerous, and construction workers are frequently injured on the job. When this happens, they might be able to sue for their damages.
Construction site injuries are not uncommon, considering the inherently hazardous work. Workers are sometimes severely injured because of their employer’s negligence or the negligence of others. Common injuries include fractures, burns, lacerations, and more. Liability might fall upon employers who fail to create safe work environments. Liability might also fall on third parties, like the manufacturers of faulty equipment or other negligent third parties. You must have evidence of your injuries and damages when filing a lawsuit. The evidence you need will depend on how you were injured. After a construction accident, you should consult with an attorney about potential legal action.
If you were injured while working as a construction worker, our Alpharetta construction accident lawyers can help you explore legal options for financial compensation. Call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 for a case evaluation free of charge.
Common Injuries in Construction Site Accidents in Alpharetta
Construction workers are at a high risk of severe injuries. Some of the most common serious injuries happen when workers fall from scaffolding, ladders, and rooftops. Construction work sometimes takes workers high in the air, and unstable safety equipment might lead to a serious fall.
Another serious injury on construction sites is commonly referred to as a “caught-between.” These injuries arise when workers are caught in between heavy objects, such as large pieces of machinery and a wall. For example, if a worker is caught between a forklift and a pile of timber, they might be crushed.
Construction projects usually involve electrical wiring, and construction workers exposed to live wires might be burned or even electrocuted. Faulty circular saws and other kinds of blades might lead to severe lacerations or even the loss of extremities, like hands and fingers.
Damages in Construction Accident Cases in Alpharetta
After being injured, you should speak to our Alpharetta construction accident lawyers about possible damages in your case. Your economic damages should include medical expenses related to the accident and your injuries. Severe injuries like falls and caught-betweens often lead to very high medical bills. Many workers are so badly injured that they need ongoing medical treatment, and they can claim future medical expenses as part of their economic damages.
You must also consider the value of your lost work. After being injured on the job, many construction workers cannot return to work right away. Some workers are never able to return to full-time employment. You can claim the value of lost income and future lost earnings as part of your economic damages.
Non-economic damages are somewhat harder to evaluate because they are usually unrelated to money. Your physical and emotional pain and suffering are non-economic damages that our team can help you assess. Other non-economic damages might include damage to your professional reputation or humiliation from the accident.
Liability for Construction Accidents in Alpharetta
Liability in construction accidents is often very tricky to determine because of Workers’ Compensation laws. When employees are injured on the job, they are required by law to pursue Workers’ Compensation claims. Under Georgia Code § 34-9-11(a), Workers’ Compensation claims are the sole remedy permitted under the law, and lawsuits against employers are prohibited, barring special circumstances.
This law only applies to people considered employees within the legal definition provided under Georgia Code § 34-9-1(2). Independent contractors, frequently employed on construction sites, are not included within the definition of employee. As such, construction workers are often permitted to sue their employers because Workers’ Compensation does not cover them. Our Alpharetta construction accident attorneys can help you figure out if you can sue for your injuries.
Independent contractors do not have “employers” in a legal sense but are instead hired by clients to perform construction work. If these clients (e.g., project managers, general contractors, construction companies) fail to provide a safe work environment, they might be liable for your injuries and damages. For example, if the construction company that hired you provided rickety scaffolding that collapsed, the construction company might be liable for that accident.
In other cases, third parties are liable for accidents on construction sites, even if those third parties are not present during the accidents. For example, the manufacturer of a defective power tool can be sued for damages caused when the power tool malfunctioned and injured a construction worker.
Evidence of Damages in Alpharetta Construction Accident Cases
The evidence you need will depend on what kind of injuries you experienced and how your accident happened. Our Alpharetta construction accident lawyers can help you figure out what you need and how to get it. A good place to start looking for evidence is the scene of the accident.
Construction sites are often monitored by security cameras, especially if larger construction companies oversee the project. We can contact the construction company or another supervisor to inquire about security camera footage. It is possible that your accident was caught on camera and may shed light on the issue of liability.
Your medical records are paramount to your case. These records not only help us show that your injuries are real, but they show the severity and extent of your injuries. Your medical records might also include a prognosis from your doctor, which is important if your injuries present long-term complications.
We can also report the accident to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA is a federal organization tasked with enforcing employment and labor safety standards across various industries and fields, including construction. We might be able to arrange for an investigation by OSHA officials, the results of which we can use as evidence.
Call Our Alpharetta Construction Accident Lawyers for Help
If you were injured while working on a construction site, you might be able to file a lawsuit for your injuries and related damages. For a free review of your case with our Alpharetta construction accident lawyers, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
