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No matter how much experience and skill you may have as a construction professional, worksite accidents can happen in an instant. You can be out of work to recover, suffer incredible pain, and be left with thousands of dollars in medical debt. This situation can be very stressful for any family.
Suppose you’ve been injured in a construction accident. In that case, our Lincolnton construction accident lawyers could help you file a workers’ compensation claim and explore other possible options for securing much-needed compensation.
We Help With Workers’ Compensation Claims Lincolnton Residents File
Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC can help you navigate the complex process of seeking compensation for your work-related injury. Our personal injury team is dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate legal guidance, so we will:
- Comprehensively and accurately represent your construction accident injuries
- Filing a workers’ compensation claim
- Working to convince the insurance company to provide you benefits
- Handling denials
- Gathering evidence to prove how your injury occurred and its impact on your life
- Exhausting other sources of compensation
- Determining negligent parties
- Representing you in negotiations and court hearings as necessary
While you can file your workers’ compensation claim on your own, having the lawyers at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC on your side can make things easier on you. Don’t let the cost of a lawyer deter you from contacting us. We provide you with a free, no-obligation case evaluation and work on contingency, meaning we don’t get paid until you do.
What Is Covered By Worker’s Compensation in North Carolina?
Most employees injured at the workplace are covered by workers’ compensation, including those who work in the construction industry. That’s because the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act requires employers across multiple industries to maintain a workers’ compensation insurance policy in case of accidents.
This Act eliminates the need to prove negligence or fault caused your accident, which can help you the compensation you and your family need. In general, the different types of workers’ compensation includes:
- Coverage for lost wages
- Reimbursement and coverage of injury-related medical treatment costs
- Short-term or permanent disability coverage
- Death benefits, such as lost wages for a certain period and funeral costs, to the surviving family
However, workers’ compensation has limits and does not cover all economic costs. It also doesn’t award you non-economic costs, like pain and suffering, either.
Can My Workers’ Compensation Claim Get Denied?
Yes, there are some situations in which the insurance company that manages the company’s workers’ compensation policy may deny your claim.
- Your employer may deny that your injury occurred while working
- The insurance company may deny that you were injured or that your injury occurred while performing your job
- The cause of your injury doesn’t meet the state’s legal requirements for covered work-related accidents
- You don’t report your injury or file your claim before the deadline
- You don’t report every symptom or consequence of your injury in your initial report but include it in your claim
Some insurance companies try to find ways not to pay out policies. They might challenge your claim or provide you the lowest-possible coverage. We can negotiate with the company’s insurance company to prove your claim and get you the compensation you need to recover.
Seeking Additional Compensation for Your Construction Accident
You’re cannot file a lawsuit against your employer for a work-related injury unless they purposefully caused your injury or were knowingly negligent in the circumstances that caused your accident. In this case, your lawyer serving Lincolnton could help you file a lawsuit rather than a workers’ compensation claim after a construction accident.
You could file for benefits and seek compensation from third parties whose negligence caused your accident, though. Here are some avenues we may explore to help you recover more necessary compensation:
- A motorist: If your construction accident involved being hit by a driver passing through the construction area, you could file a claim with their insurance company. This includes if you were hit as a pedestrian or while operating a construction vehicle.
- Property owner: These individuals are required to examine the area and report all potential hazards of the construction site. These might include volatile chemicals or substances or electrical issues. Suppose a property owner fails to have the area inspected and fully report these issues to a construction company, and you are injured while working. In that case, the property owner could be held responsible for your injuries.
- Construction equipment manufacturer: If your construction accident was caused by malfunctioning equipment or equipment defect, you could file a suit with the manufacturer.
Filing a third-party insurance claim may not have a specific deadline, but it’s best to do so as soon as possible. That’s because, per G.S. § 1-52, you may only have up to three years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation.
Per G.S. § 1-53, you only have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The types of damages for which you can recover compensation from third-party claims include:
- Uncovered accrued medical costs
- Projected future medical costs
- Disability, disfigurement, and scarring
- Emotional and psychological trauma
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Common Causes of Construction Accidents Our Firm Serving Lincolnton Sees
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets and enforces workplace safety regulations across all industries. According to their 2021 reports on OSHA violation citations, there were multiple violations of construction regulations. These include violations involving:
- Fall protection
- Ladder usage
- Scaffolding construction and usage
- Eye and face protection
Even though the construction industry is highly regulated, supervisors and crew members don’t always obey the rules, putting themselves and others at risk. Here are some causes of construction accidents:
- Falls
- Being struck by falling or flying objects
- Caught between machinery, equipment, or materials
- Crushed by falling objects
- Electrocution
- Overexertion and repetitive strain
- Exposure to chemicals
- Car and truck accidents
- Forklift and crane accidents
- Gas leaks, fires, and explosions
Common Injuries That Could Qualify You for Benefits or Damages
Construction accident injuries can range from minor to severe, with many resulting in fatalities. Some of the most common construction accident injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Muscle sprains and tears
- Burns
- Illness
- Hearing or sight loss
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
Trust Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC To Help With Lincolnton Construction Injuries
At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, we know how scary, confusing, and stressful a construction accident can be for you and your family in Lincolnton. That’s why our construction accident lawyers are ready to help you get compensation for your injuries.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the construction industry has the highest number of fatal workplace accidents in the country. Our staff is ready to fight for damages if you suffered such an accident. Contact our office today for a free consultation.
