Construction Accident Litigation Can Take Years

Construction workers belong to the group of employees who work in high-risk environments. In the US alone, more than 1,000 deaths and over 500,000 injuries are related to construction job accidents. Even with the perilous nature of the job, every construction worker is entitled to work in a safe working environment. If you are a construction worker, this means that you and your family are entitled to receive compensation when the workplace, the equipment in it, the subcontractors and other parties involved have not employed the basic safety procedures.  

What you should be aware of is that the laws governing workers compensation is not the same for all states. For instance, the employer cannot be held liable for negligence if a worker is injured while on the job yet accepts the compensation benefits provided by the company. Of course, the employer will be held liable if it is found out that the worker was intentionally injured on the job. The injured construction worker can take the matter to the courts and sue third parties for punitive damages springing from the injury. 

In New Jersey and New York, the laws regarding third parties differ slightly. Third parties may be:

a. Companies that provided the low quality or faulty equipment

b. Project architects

c. Engineering firms with direct supervision

d. Manufacturers of explosive devices

e. Subcontractors

What are the causes of accidents in construction sites? The causes vary largely due to the different trades involved in construction. 

a. Ironworkers usually suffer from injuries incurred during decking operations, material handling, and ladder falls.

b. Masons get injured around poorly made scaffoldings

c. Laborers are usually affected by a broad range of causes of injuries as a good number of them lack the experience and training that a professional gets to meet specific certifications. 

d. Electricians are also commonly injured when working scissor lifts, working on faulty power lines or doing lockout-tag out procedures.

e. In general, construction workers get into accidents because they fail to use proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). 

What are included in the worker’s compensation coverage?

Worker’s compensation benefits aim to provide just compensation to the injured work but not to make him whole again. Plus, compensation benefits differ from state to state but generally cover medical expenses and wage replacement. If the injured party accepts the agreement, he forfeits his right to sue the company. 

Additional compensation includes the following: 

a. Cost of medical bills for surgeries, tests, medications, treatment for pain

b. Lost earning capacity 

c. Financial security for the family if the injured party dies

How can a construction accident lawyer help?

Basically, compensation laws in different states. This means that if you want to seek legal counsel, you have to ensure that the lawyer you choose is licensed in the state you were injured in or where the policy is honored. When you choose the right accident lawyer in Morris Heights, you can get him to delve into the intricacies of the construction contracts and other pertinent documents related to the accident you were involved in. 

For company drivers who suffer from auto accident injuries in New York City, a vehicle accident lawyer in Westchester can be the best man for the job. But, even if you do manage to find a good lawyer, you have to believe what law firms in Kingsbridge say about the length of time that construction accident litigation may take. You can expect the litigation to take years before it can come to a close. Now, if the accident also included other cars, you can expect the motor accident lawyer in White Plains to ask for retainer fees when you hire his services as litigation really takes such a long time.

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