Pittsburgh Construction Injury Lawyers
Constructions sites have inherent risks, and they can be unsafe areas to work or visit. Many of the accidents that happened in construction sites are not purely accidental, but they are caused by negligence, equipment malfunctions, or unsafe working conditions. If you have suffered injuries at the construction site because of negligence, you are eligible for compensation for these injuries.
According to the figures released by the Bureau of Labor and certified by the Bureau of Statistics, there are approximately 800 fatal accidents that happened in construction sites each year in the United States. Pennsylvania has some of the strictest safety rules in the US when it comes to the safety behavior of the workers in the site.
When somebody violates the rules, he or she is putting everyone at risk. Majority of these accidents involved the workers who are working for the contractors. However, pedestrians and others can be victims of construction accidents too.
If you are involved in a construction accident, you are most likely feeling scared, in immense pain and don’t know what to do next. In this case, you need the help of Pittsburgh Construction Injury Lawyers. These lawyers will help you build the lawsuit, file the claim, and will fight for you to get the maximum compensation for the injuries.
Common Causes of Construction Accidents
The construction site itself has a lot of risks, but the contractors, vendors, and the site owners have the responsibility to put safety protocols in place to protect the people inside. If the reason for the accident is negligence, the victim is entitled to compensation.
Here are some of the most common causes of accidents:
- Inadequate protection from fall
- Not sufficient protection from falling objects
- Tipping hazards
- Unsafe condition of construction equipment
- Insufficient protection against electrical malfunctions
- Dangerous conditions of the grounds
If you believe that your accident is caused by a hazardous condition of the construction site, it is vital that you contact a qualified attorney. A Pittsburgh construction attorney can help you build a case and protect your right for compensation and justice.
Importance of a Construction Injury lawyer
Construction law in Pennsylvania requires all contractors to adhere to the applicable safety rules for the job site. Contractors are also required to have safety classes regularly like the OSHA course to be aware of the appropriate safety standards. If the contractor followed these standards, they would be able to show that negligence is not the cause of a workplace accident if there is any.
An attorney who is an expert in construction accidents can help not only the victims but the contractors too in sorting out a troubling situation like injury on the job. One of the reasons why you need a lawyer is for “discovery.”
Discovery is the legal process applied when one of the parties, either the plaintiff or the defendant, is looking for information from the other party to corroborate their claim or case. Usually, this happens when investigating for the defense against the case. In the adversarial system of many law firms, the legal requirement is the other party should comply with these discovery requests. It should be made correctly with a proper basis.
Understanding Discovery and Negligence
As mentioned earlier, discovery is an essential part of the construction injury case. Here is where the information is obtained to demonstrate that somebody on the job site knows what contributed to the accident. It might reveal failure or wrongdoing in following procedures that put the victim in danger.
On the other hand, to defend themselves in the case, the job site owner or responsible parties will try to prove that it is the victim who is negligent and this negligence is the cause of the injury. The esponsible party might apply the following measures to protect its name:
- To show their safety mindset, they will have the OSHA safety requirements or continuing education program
- Show their involvement in safety programs and training on the job site
- Even their involvement in professional associations of their industry
Although these can be helpful, these are not necessary because what the defendant should demonstrate is that they did not do something that contributed to the accident?
Worker’s Compensation in Construction Accidents
The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act protects employers and workers. This law sanctions workers to recover the cost related to the injuries, but it can also limit the worker’s ability to file the suit against the employer.
Under this law, the employer is entitled to compensation for the lost wages and medical bills. To apply for the worker’s compensation, the injured must inform the employer about the injury, seek medical attention from an approved doctor, and then file a claim.
This process can be complicated, and hence you need a Pittsburgh construction accident lawyers to do the work for you. They can help you file a worker’s compensation claim and fight for all the benefits that you rightfully deserve.
Kinds of Compensation You Can Avail
Construction accidents can be scary, and you will be uncertain about your future. The legal avenues presented to you can help you recover the compensation quickly. The type of compensation you can claim depends on the gravity of your case. If the accident is work-related, you will most likely get workers’ compensation benefits.
These benefits will cover the costs that are related to your accident and includes:
- Medical care
- A certain percentage of your wages
- Disability benefits
A victim may qualify for additional benefits too like if the liable party is not your employer but instead a third-party vendor. You can file a case or file a claim from the insurance company for additional benefits. This amount will be paid for:
- Emotional distress
- Suffering and pain
- Loss of capacity to earn
- Additional lost salary
- Medical costs that are not covered by the workers’ compensation
- Long-term medical care
Hire a Pittsburgh Construction Injury Lawyer
Filing construction injury claim can be complicated and daunting, especially when you are recovering from the injury. Let a qualified Pittsburgh Construction Injury attorney help you with the following course of action:
- Investigate your accident
- File for a claim under the workers’ compensation law
- Prepare & file the appropriate paperwork
- If applicable, file your disability claims from Social Security
Contact our Pittsburgh Construction Injury Lawyers
Contact our team of Pittsburgh Construction Injury Lawyers if you have been hurt on the job or have lost a loved one in a construction accident.