The construction industry is known as being one of the most dangerous for workers across the country. Atlanta construction workers often understand the inherent safety risks of their professions. However, if you suffer an on-the-job injury, that does not mean you do not have access to the financial support you need while you recuperate. If your employer tries to deter you from seeking the worker’s compensation benefits and other financial losses you are entitled to, you may need to resort to legal action.
Construction sites have potentially hazardous materials, and regular construction equipment can pose a danger. Construction accident victims must seek medical attention immediately for any injuries sustained on the construction site. Injured workers may be concerned about being treated fairly if they have to file a worker’s comp claim, but this is where Hansford McDaniel – Workers’ Compensation Attorneys and our injury lawyers will make sure you understand all of your legal options and help you seek fair compensation.
Thankfully, when you have the support of an experienced Atlanta construction accident attorney at Hansford McDaniel, you can heal from your trauma while we work on building a powerful case against those responsible. Contact our team for a free consultation today to learn more about how the construction accident claims process works, what to do if your claim for worker’s compensation benefits is denied, and what steps to take if you do not qualify for workers’ compensation insurance. Having an experienced construction accident lawyer from a reputable Atlanta, GA law firm such as Hansford McDaniel – Workers’ Compensation Attorneys can help you recover compensation.
We Are Experienced Workers Compensation Lawyers
The legal team at Hansford McDaniel are Atlanta’s premier workers’ compensation attorneys. Our award-winning, bilingual law firm is available to answer your questions and concerns in both English and Spanish. We offer no-cost, risk-free consultations locally at our Atlanta, GA office, or our satellite offices strategically located throughout the state.
We have collectively recovered millions of dollars for victims of construction accidents in over 60 years of service. We do not consider ourselves only worker’s compensation lawyers. We serve our community and relentlessly pursue justice for wrongfully injured clients. We do what it takes to maximize our client’s financial compensation in worker’s compensation claims. Do not hesitate to contact our office for a free case evaluation today to learn more about how we can help you get through these difficult times.
Types of Construction Accidents in Atlanta
The construction industry is dangerous, and construction accidents are unfortunately a frequent cause of serious injuries. Sadly, human error, mechanical malfunction, and construction worker mistakes are some of the top contributors to construction accident injuries. Some types of accidents are known for causing construction injuries more often than others, such as:
- Trench collapses
- Construction truck accidents
- Fires and explosions
- Exposure to toxic substances and chemicals
- Scaffold accidents
- Being hit by falling objects
- Slip and fall accidents
- Construction site accidents
- Bulldozer accidents
- Demolition accidents
- Forklift accidents
- Crane accidents
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Crushings
- Electrocution
This is by no means an exhaustive list of the potential construction accidents that are possible in your line of work. If you have been injured in another type of construction accident event we did not include above, be sure to contact our workers’ compensation and Atlanta construction accident attorneys at Hansford McDaniel to find out what options may be possible in your case.
Common Injuries That Warrant Workers Comp Approval
Many injured construction workers have concerns that their injuries are not severe enough to warrant workers’ compensation benefits. However, it is important to remember that the type of serious injury you are dealing with does not determine whether you have met the grounds for worker’s comp. approval, and a personal injury claim. In fact, as long as you are considered an employee of the company and your injuries occurred within the scope of your employment, you should have the right to worker’s comp.
With that in mind, there are some types of injuries construction workers and other relevant employees suffer more often. These injuries include:
- Facial trauma
- Shoulder injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Dental injuries
- Amputation
- Neck injury
- Third-degree burns
- Organ failure
- Puncture wounds
- Internal bleeding
- Broken and fractured bones
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Back injury
- Herniated discs
- Repetitive stress injuries
The construction accident injury you were diagnosed with will not necessarily determine whether you have the right to receive worker’s compensation benefits. However, your injuries must be severe enough to keep you out of work and temporarily or permanently unable to earn a living.
How to Recover Compensation After an Atlanta Construction Accident
Construction accident injuries are often life-changing, requiring physical therapy and financial assistance. Fortunately, there are multiple ways you can access the financial support you need to cover your costs, get through these difficult times, and rebuild your life.
File a Third Party Liability Lawsuit
You may have the right to file a third-party liability lawsuit after a construction accident or injury at construction sites. This type of personal injury lawsuit is fault-based. This means someone else’s negligent actions must have been the cause of your injuries. If your employer has worker’s compensation protection coverage, you may not be able to sue your employer. However, if a colleague, your supervisor, construction site owner, safety equipment or parts manufacturers, or other third parties were negligent in some way, they can be held accountable through personal injury claims. In civil court, you have the right to be made whole. This is legal jargon for the right to compensation for every single loss you have endured, which is why hiring a skilled and professional Atlanta law firm is paramount.
Collectively, these damages are known as compensatory damages. They can be further categorized as economic damages or non-economic damages, with economic damages being financial and non-economic damages accounting for every other loss. Examples of potentially recoverable damages after a construction accident include:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Future medical treatment
- Medical devices
- Copays and prescription medications
- Loss of employee benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Personal property damages
- Reduced quality of life
- Reputational damage
- Inconvenience
- Loss of companionship and love
- Loss of guidance, protection, advice, and support
- Shame, indignity, fear, and shock
- Damage to your credit score or report
File a Claim for ATL Workers Comp Benefits
You can also file a workers’ compensation claim if your construction accident happened on the job. Worker’s compensation coverage is a requirement for any construction company with three or more employees in Georgia. However, it is important to be sure you are considered an employee and not an independent contractor. If you are an independent contractor, the construction company and its worker’s compensation policy may not apply to you.
Types of Workers Comp Benefits
There are specific types of worker’s compensation benefits that are available to applicants who are approved after a work-related accident. These benefits include:
- Wage replacement benefits of up to 66% of your average weekly income
- Total coverage of your medical expenses
- Vocational rehabilitation benefits if you need to re-enter the workforce in a different industry
- Wrongful death claims and death benefits to surviving family members if you or someone you love suffers fatal construction accident injuries
How to File for Workers’ Compensation in Atlanta
If you are interested in seeking Atlanta, GA worker’s compensation benefits, you can start by contacting our workers’ compensation attorneys for help. Our Atlanta construction accident lawyers will help you fill out your application in detail and ensure the insurance company has access to the documentation and information they need to process your claim. At Hansford McDaniel – Workers’ Compensation Attorneys, a construction accident attorney will walk you through your personal injury claim, the legal process, and the circumstances surrounding your personal injury case.
From there, you can focus on recuperating while your accident lawyer handles the insurance company. If the insurance company denies your claim, we will determine whether we need to provide additional information to support construction accident cases. Usually by doing so, we can get denials overturned. If the insurance company upholds its denial, your Atlanta construction accident lawyer may need to file a formal appeal and have your case heard before the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation.
Get Help From an Atlanta Construction Accident Attorney Today
The trauma of your construction accident may have a significant impact on your life for years to come. Do not get stuck dealing with the financial losses on your own. Receiving workers’ compensation may not be the only way your injury lawyers can help you recover from your personal injury.
The injured person has enough to deal with when they have suffered injuries and emotional distress. Our Atlanta construction accident lawyers at Hansford McDaniel – Workers’ Compensation Attorneys can help you hold the liable party accountable to the fullest extent of the law. When you are ready to take action, but do not know where to get started, fill out our convenient contact form or call our office to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today with an Atlanta personal injury lawyer.
