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According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 976 of the 4,764 workplace deaths in 2020 occurred in the construction industry. These numbers further show that fatal construction accidents account for almost half of workplace deaths during 2020. In many cases, these accidents are often the result of negligence, including poor oversight of construction companies and contractors and needing a lawyer for compensation.
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When employers fail to provide safety equipment or overlook routine machinery maintenance, construction workers may suffer severe injuries or death. Our Washington, DC construction accident lawyers have a proven record of helping injured workers and their families recover the compensation they deserve. In many cases, injured workers can file workers’ compensation claims with our lawyers; however, if your injury was caused by faulty machinery or a third party, you will be able to file a personal injury lawsuit and may want to speak to our trained lawyers at Regan Zambri Long personal injury attorneys.
Construction site accident lawyer cases are complex, especially since many companies often share the same worksite. The lawyers at Regan Zambri Long PLLC have a proven record of helping injured workers and their families recover the compensation they deserve. For example, in one wrongful death claim, our lawyer helped obtain a $4 million settlement for the family of a construction foreman. A Washington, DC construction injury lawyer at our law firm can explain your rights and legal options after a workplace accident.
When construction companies ignore safety regulations, they can expose workers to electrocution hazards, heavy machinery malfunctions, and other dangers. Some of the most common causes of severe and fatal construction site accidents include:
According to OSHA, falls are the number one cause of fatal construction accidents, and are also a major cause of catastrophic injuries on worksites. Workers can fall off ladders or scaffolding, lose footing on an elevated surface, or trip over unattended equipment. OSHA’s safety regulations and equipment requirements should prevent these accidents, but many employers overlook or neglect these rules. A fall from any height may cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or broken bones.
Most construction sites contain powerful machineries, such as forklifts and cranes. Improper assembly, lack of regular maintenance, or product defects in this equipment can cause disabling injuries or wrongful death.
Construction sites also contain numerous vehicles responsible for moving equipment and objects. However, these vehicles can be dangerous when used by other companies’ negligent or poorly trained workers. For example, a dump truck driver may cause an accident by backing other workers on a crowded site.
Tools left on ledges, scaffolds, or forklifts may fall and strike workers, causing traumatic brain injuries or wrongful death. These injuries are prevalent if contractors fail to provide construction workers with hard hats and other safety equipment.
In most cases, you cannot file a lawsuit against your employer if you were injured while on the job. Instead, you may receive benefits from your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance to cover medical expenses, a portion of your lost wages, and funeral expenses if the worker had died while on the job.
However, if a third party (a person or company other than your employer) caused your injuries, then you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against that party. The damages available in a civil claim can provide far more than workers’ comp benefits. Therefore, you may be able to file both third-party and workers’ comp claims.
Since multiple contractors and companies typically share a single construction site, it is not always clear who is responsible for an accident. Therefore, workers should always consult a construction injury attorney after an accident. A lawyer can find all liable parties, maximizing the available compensation.
If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury at a construction site in Washington, DC, then contact a construction accident attorney from our law firm today. Our attorneys can help you with the workers’ compensation claim, lawyer will examine your case, and determine whether a third party can be held responsible for your accident.
Regan Zambri Long PLLC represents clients throughout Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, so you will not owe us an attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation. For a free consultation with a construction accident attorney, call (202) 960-4596 or fill out our online case review form.
Although you can’t hold your employer responsible, other parties that you file a personal injury lawsuit against include:
If you experience an accident at a construction site while visiting, you may be able to sue. Under DC premises liability law, it is the responsibility of the property owner to keep their property free from hazards to anyone visiting that property. Speak with our Washington, DC construction accident lawyer to learn your legal options.
If your workers’ compensation claim is denied following a construction accident, you can appeal the decision. However, the appeal process can be long and complex, so it’s best to speak with a Washington, DC workers’ compensation attorney to learn your options.
If you get into an accident, seek medical attention right away to learn how serious your injuries are. Once you get treatment for your injuries, tell your supervisor and employer about the accident. You should fill out an incident report at work.
After the report is filed, you may receive a call from your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company to learn more about the accident. At this point, it’s always wise to speak with a workers’ compensation attorney to understand your options.
The compensation you receive depends on the severity of your injuries and how much you made before your accident. Under DC law, workers’ compensation will cover your medical costs for the length of your injury. You will also receive a portion of your weekly wage.
However, suppose you are eligible for a third-party claim. In that case, you may sue not only for economic damages, such as medical expenses and property damage but also non-economic damages like loss of enjoyment and pain and suffering.
