Many workers who experience construction accidents are unsure of how they can financially recover after the fact. Medical bills and lost wages add up quickly, and the process of getting compensation can be overly complex. At Cellino Law, a Bridgeport, CT, construction accident lawyer will work with you every step of the way so you can fully understand your rights and legal options.
Common Causes of Construction Accidents
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the private construction industry is tied for the most fatal industry in Connecticut as of 2022. Advancements in technology and safety regulations help ensure worker safety on construction sites, but construction workers can still encounter a wide range of accident scenarios.
Understanding some of the most common causes of construction accidents can help you stay safer at the worksite. If you experience an accident, it is important to know that these scenarios and others are all completely valid causes for pursuing a construction accident claim.
Falls and Falling Objects
Many construction sites require employees to work at elevated heights, such as on roofs or scaffolding. Employers are responsible for providing harnesses, guardrails and netting, as well as ensuring workers are trained to prevent falls and falling object hazards. Without secure measures, a single misstep can lead to a devastating fall. Tools, debris and other objects can also fall from great heights if not secured properly, potentially injuring those below.
Struck-By Incidents
When construction workers operate machinery, everyone in the area must be completely aware of one another. If the operator or passersby fail to pay attention, the machinery could strike someone. This includes cranes, backing up trucks, forklifts, bulldozers and other heavy equipment often found on construction sites.
Heavy Lifting
Lifting heavy objects is a natural part of a construction worker’s routine, but the strain from doing so can eventually cause an injury. Even lifting objects that are not excessively heavy can still lead to repetitive motion injuries. Operating power tools like jackhammers or hand drills can also cause repetitive strain in the joints.
Collapsing Trenches
Digging trenches is necessary for excavating areas below the construction site, but they can be dangerous if the trench supports give way. A worker caught in a collapsing trench might suffer crushing injuries or become stuck until a team can perform a rescue.
Burns or Explosions
Flammable substances, welding sparks and exposed wires are commonplace on almost any construction site. As a result, chemical burns, open flames and even explosions are possible. Employers and site managers must enforce strict safety measures to prevent these accidents.
Construction Injuries Our Firm Handles
The Bridgeport, CT, construction accident lawyers at Cellino Law can assist injured workers who experience any type of accident on the worksite. We have experience with the workers’ compensation process and complex personal injury laws. No matter the extent of your damages, our goal is to help you get the compensation you deserve.
We want to help you if you have a construction injury, including but not limited to:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Severe bruises, cuts and lacerations
- Shoulder, wrist, knee and ankle injuries
- Spinal injuries and paralysis
- Eye injuries or loss of vision
- Burin injuries, including chemical burns
- Amputations
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Every accident has unique circumstances, and the resulting injuries are no different. Our firm can carefully examine your case, guide you through the process and help you understand your compensation options.
What To Do After a Construction Accident
Your top priorities after a construction accident are to seek immediate medical attention and report the incident to your employer immediately. Not only are these steps necessary for your well-being, but they also begin the process of documenting the accident.
If it is safe to do so, take photos of the accident scene and any damaged equipment. Get contact information from every witness who saw the accident. Also, make sure to preserve any other relevant evidence or documentation, such as shift schedules or communications between workers.
When you are already feeling overwhelmed by the circumstances surrounding an accident, it can be difficult to determine how you should go about pursuing compensation. Consulting with a lawyer provides the legal guidance you need to navigate workers’ compensation or file a personal injury claim without mistakes.
Connecticut’s Statute of Limitations for Workplace Injuries
It is important to act in a timely manner after a construction accident because the state’s statute of limitations will make it impossible to pursue compensation after a certain period of time. In Connecticut, the statute of limitations for a workers’ compensation claim is one year from the date of the accident. The statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is two years.
How To Know if You Have a Construction Accident Claim
The only requirement for a valid construction accident claim is that you sustained an injury while working or carrying out a task related to your work. Any injury that occurs on the job, no matter how minor, is grounds for a claim so long as it results in demonstrable economic or non-economic damages.
A malicious employer might try to deny your workers’ compensation claim because they do not want to risk paying higher insurance rates. If your employer insists that your claim is not eligible, that you reported the accident too late or that the accident was due to your own negligence, consider speaking to your attorney right away.
Workers’ Compensation vs. Personal Injury Claims
If you are an eligible employee who sustained an injury on the job, you almost always have the option to pursue a workers’ compensation claim. In some cases, you might also be able to file a personal injury claim. Understanding the differences between these two legal actions can help you recover the maximum compensation available.
Under your workers’ compensation benefits, you can file a claim with your employer’s insurance provider without initiating a lawsuit. This is a no-fault system, which means that you do not need to demonstrate any other party’s negligence, and you can typically get compensation even if you caused your injury. Your workers’ compensation policy will likely cover medical expenses, lost wages and permanent impairments.
Filing a personal injury claim entails taking action against a third party who caused your accident via negligence. This might include equipment manufacturers or visitors to the construction site. Succeeding in a personal injury claim will require proving the other party’s fault, but you can pursue compensation for damages such as emotional pain and suffering that workers’ compensation does not cover.
Determining Who Is Liable for Your Construction Accident
If an external party’s negligence contributed to your accident, you can file a claim against them and seek workers’ compensation benefits. It is in your best interests to work with your legal team and identify every party that might share in the liability for your injury.
Your workers’ compensation agreement likely stipulates that you cannot sue your employer for a workplace accident, even if they demonstrated negligence in safety protocols or other aspects of management. However, you might have grounds for a claim against:
- Contractors or subcontractors on the site
- Property owners
- Equipment manufacturers
- Architects or engineers
- Other visitors to the construction site
To determine if a person or group is liable for your accident, you need to know how much knowledge and control they had over the situation. For example, an equipment manufacturer should be aware of defects and how they could affect construction workers. They also have control over preventing those defects. If they fail to uphold user safety despite these factors, they may be considered negligent and liable for some of your damages.
How a Construction Accident Lawyer Can Help You
A construction accident lawyer is a constant ally throughout the claims process. They can help ensure you get the full extent of your workers’ compensation benefits and explore your options for a personal injury claim. Your attorney can even advise you on what to say to the insurance company and handle every aspect of the paperwork on your behalf.
At Cellino Law, our lawyers can support you by:
- Investigating the cause of your construction accident
- Evaluating your injuries and other damages
- Presenting evidence to maximize your compensation
- Negotiating with the insurance company
- Taking your case to court if necessary
Involving an attorney early on in your case can go a long way toward maximizing the settlement you receive. Our team at Cellino Law will strive to preserve any relevant evidence before it becomes lost to time so that you have the best possible chance at a favorable outcome.
Contact a Bridgeport, CT Construction Accident Lawyer Today
Filing a claim is an important step toward returning to normalcy after a construction accident, but it can feel like too much to handle while you are still recovering. Our construction accident lawyers at Cellino Law are here to guide you and provide the answers you need. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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