Statesville Construction Injury Lawyer

Many Statesville, NC jobs come with the risk of injury, but no industries are more susceptible than those related to construction. While there are many safety precautions in place to help prevent the risk of serious injuries, there are still numerous ways that injuries can happen. For this reason, workers have additional protections in the event of injury beyond just workers’ compensation claims. North Carolina law requires all employers with three or more employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, injured construction workers are allowed to seek additional claims in the form of pain and suffering and other losses if the accident was due to negligence, a co-worker, or a third party.

The recovery process for any injury can be difficult, stressful, and arduous. This is why workers’ compensation exists. These injuries should not come at a cost to the worker if they were properly trained and performed their job according to that training. If you or a loved one is injured while performing work on a construction site, you should seek the help of a knowledgeable and experienced attorney who can help recover the damages that may be owed.

Common Construction Site Accidents

Construction sites are places that never sleep. There are many moving parts that can cause an injury, regardless of the many state and federal regulations that are in place to protect the workers. As with any company, making money is the goal, and that means there are sometimes oversights and cut corners that could negate the benefits of these regulations.

The risk of injuries, accidents, and even deaths increases for contractors, site workers, and other personnel as companies look to save money. While there are many ways to injure oneself on the job, more common construction site injuries include:

• Injuries from equipment and tools: With the multitude of tools and equipment on a construction site, there are many ways for them to be improperly used or malfunction. Whether it is a digger or bulldozer, a hammer or drill, every piece of equipment can be potentially harmful if not used according to training or specifications.
• Vehicle collisions: Vehicles can be abundant on construction sites, which are often small areas. With pickup trucks, dump trucks, delivery trucks, and other necessary vehicles constantly moving throughout a site, there are numerous opportunities for pedestrian accidents or accidents between vehicles. Even at low speeds, these collisions can cause serious injuries.
• Electrical, fire, or explosive accidents: Whether installing new electrical wiring, laying a gas line, or welding in the wrong place at the wrong time, these more serious types of accidents can occur at any time. Without proper communication, cleanliness, and task orientation, accidents such as these are difficult to avoid.
• Becoming trapped or crushed: Construction sites are not only full of heavy equipment but also heavy materials. If workers are not paying attention, if improperly supporting elements are present, or if workers fail to communicate properly, an accident may occur, trapping or crushing a worker beneath or between heavy objects.
• Falls: Construction falls can happen in a number of different ways. They can occur low to the ground, caused by tripping over materials. They could also happen further in the air when working on the second story of a home or a higher floor of a high-rise building. While safety measures should be in place to prevent such accidents, injuries are nonetheless going to occur.
• Hit by objects: Hardhats are a certain indicator that you are looking at a construction area. While they provide safety for those wearing them, they cannot prevent all the potential injuries that could happen. From hoisting objects with a crane to dropping a heavy lunchbox from a higher floor, there are many ways that falling objects can still cause significant injuries.

Common Injuries on Construction Sites

Because of all the hazards on a construction site, there are a number of injuries that one can sustain from them. Common injuries on these sites include:

• Strains and sprains
• Injuries to joints such as knees, hips, wrists, elbows, and shoulders
• Hearing and vision loss
• Burns
• Spinal cord injuries
• Carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive injuries

If you experience one of these injuries, it is important to seek medical attention immediately and report it to your employer.

Workers’ Compensation Claims

If you or someone you love suffers a work-related injury while working in construction, filing a workers’ compensation claim should be your next priority after receiving the proper medical treatment for any immediate injuries that may be life-threatening. Many claims include compensation for your injuries and the treatment necessary. Because it is construction-related, it also means that you could be compensated for pain and suffering, amongst other benefits.

If, however, your accident was caused by negligence, you may also be able to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. This could come against a coworker or, more commonly, against a third party. When filing against a third party, it is often because of their malfunctioning machinery or tools. This could also include claims against vendors who may be operating on your site.

Hiring an Injury Attorney

Hiring an attorney to represent you in your construction site accident claim is vital after any workplace injury. While you may feel that you can handle the process on your own, the steps to a successful outcome can be complicated, making it easy to make small mistakes that could be costly later. Your attorney will help to ensure that you receive the full compensation to which you may be entitled, along with any additional claims that need to be filed.

Statesville Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Construction-related injuries can result in not only long-term injuries but also run a high risk of causing death. You and your loved ones should not have to suffer due to a workplace injury when you followed all the proper procedures and received all the necessary training. M. Reid Acree, Jr., and his team are experienced and knowledgeable when it comes to workplace injuries. We can help you receive the benefits you need to recover from your workplace injury. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.