Atlanta is growing dramatically and has ongoing construction projects all over the city. Unfortunately, construction sites are where most workers are injured every year. The injuries a construction worker suffers can be serious and require expensive treatment.
Fortunately, construction accident victims can recover compensation for injuries sustained in a construction accident. Workers’ Compensation benefits are provided to workers injured on the job, but they are only designed to cover certain expenses. Also, Georgia law restricts a worker’s right to file a lawsuit in most cases, so understanding the compensation process is vital to maximizing your recovery. A lawsuit can be the best option to recover damages for your injuries when permitted.
If you suffered injuries on a construction site, our Atlanta construction accident and injury lawyers can provide you with a free case assessment to determine what legal options are available to you. Contact Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357.
Common Causes of Construction Accidents and Injuries in Atlanta, GA
Construction sites are inherently dangerous, and accidents can occur in numerous ways. The carelessness of other workers can make these dangerous conditions more hazardous. The following are some common causes of construction accidents in Atlanta:
- Falling debris
- Slip and fall accidents
- Fall from a dangerous height
- Electrocutions
- Collapsing structures
- Poor equipment maintenance
- Defective equipment
- Vehicle accidents
- Inadequate training
- Toxic exposure
The ways a worker can be injured on a construction site are countless. Our Atlanta construction accident and injury lawyers can assess the facts of your case to help determine the exact cause of your injuries.
Common Types of Injuries in Construction Accidents in Atlanta, GA
Just as there are various causes for workers getting injured on a construction site, there are also many types of injuries that a worker can suffer in a construction accident. Injuries from a construction accident can be some of the most devasting and often require expensive and long-term medical treatment. The following are common types of injuries that a worker can sustain in a construction accident in Atlanta:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Eye, dental, and other facial injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Muscle, nerve, and ligament injuries
- Paralysis
- Quadriplegia
- Amputations
Construction accident injuries can be life-altering and could require care for the foreseeable future. Our Atlanta construction accident and injury lawyers will fight to get you the compensation you need to get you on the path to recovery.
Receiving Workers’ Compensation After Suffering a Construction Accident Injury in Atlanta, GA
Recovering compensation after a construction accident can be a complex process. Workers’ Compensation insurance is designed to provide injured workers with benefits to cover their medical costs and lost wages after being injured. However, Workers’ Compensation does not provide benefits for non-economic damages, like the physical pain and emotional suffering you have endured because of your injuries.
The caveat, though, is that while most employers are required to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance, Ga. Code § 34-9-11(a) prevents a worker from filing a lawsuit against their employer in most cases. This means that in some cases, Workers’ Compensation benefits might be your sole remedy after being injured in a construction accident. Our Atlanta construction accident and injury lawyers can review your case to determine if a lawsuit is the appropriate next step to recover compensation.
Who Can Be Sued for Construction Accident Injuries in Atlanta, GA
There are other situations where you will be permitted to file a lawsuit against a negligent party to recover damages and certain circumstances where Workers’ Compensation will not prevent you from suing your employer.
If you do not accept Workers’ Compensation benefits and believe your employer’s negligence caused your accident, you can file a lawsuit against your employer. Your employer could have been negligent by not providing adequate fall protection for scaffolding, inadequately training employees, or a host of other regulatory violations. Also, you can file a lawsuit against your employer if they do not provide Workers’ Compensation insurance in violation of the law.
The other situation in which you will be permitted to file a lawsuit for your construction accident injuries is if a third party caused your injuries. Third parties include coworkers, subcontractors, delivery drivers, and others operating on the construction site.
Those responsible for defective equipment could also be held responsible for the injuries their defective equipment cause. Equipment that is flawed in its design, manufacturing, or labeling can cause terrible injuries. Depending on where the equipment defect occurred, the designer, manufacturers, or seller could be held liable. Our Atlanta construction accident and injury lawyers can help you determine which parties you will need to sue to recover damages for your injuries.
Time Limit to File an Atlanta, GA Construction Accident and Injury Lawsuit
The time limit to file a lawsuit for your construction accident injuries is governed by the Georgia statute of limitations. Under Ga. Code § 9-3-33, injured construction workers will have two years from the date of the accident to file their lawsuit in Atlanta. Unfortunately, there are only rare exceptions to the statute of limitations. In most cases, if your lawsuit is not filed by the two-year deadline, your case will be dismissed, preventing you from recovering compensation from the court.
Although two years seems like a long time, starting your case as soon as possible is important. Important evidence will be needed to show that another person’s negligence caused your construction accident injuries. However, an employer can lose or purposefully destroy evidence if too much time is wasted. Once the legal process has started, collecting evidence and directing parties to preserve and pass evidence over to you will be easier. Our Atlanta construction accident and injury lawyers can help ensure your case is managed properly so you can acquire the evidence needed to win your case.
Our Atlanta Construction Accident and Injury Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured in a construction accident, our Atlanta construction accident and injury lawyers can help you recover fair compensation for the damages you suffered. For a free case review, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
