Helping Injured Construction Workers Navigate The Claims Process

Sometimes it can seem like construction worksites were designed to result in injured workers. Sites can be home to power tools, heavy machinery, ladders, scaffolding, potholes, and careless co-workers. In such an environment, accidents happen. But do you know what needs to happen next to make sure you and your family are taken care of?

At David & Associates, Attorneys at Law, PLLC, we do. Our attorneys represent injured construction workers in Wilmington, Jacksonville, and throughout southeastern North Carolina. Accidents happen, but the resistance you may experience from your employer is no accident at all. You can rely on us to fight for your rights.

Contact our Wilmington construction worker injury attorneys today to begin with a free initial consultation.

Construction Site Injuries

Injuries can happen for a variety of reasons on construction sites, but most are caused by accidents.

Some of the most common construction injuries include:

• Broken bones from slips or falls
• Back injuries from heavy and/or repetitive lifting
• Head injuries from falling objects
• Burn injuries due to welding or heated objects
• Skin, eye, or lung damage due to chemical exposure

Whether you were injured by a careless co-worker, fell from a ladder or scaffolding, or twisted your ankle in a ditch, one thing remains the same: We can help you pursue all of the benefits and compensation you are entitled to for your injury.

Protecting You & Your Loved Ones

In an average year, more than 100,000 injuries occur on construction sites, nearly 1,000 of them fatal. Simply put, construction work is — and has long been — our country’s most dangerous profession.

For many injury victims and their families, a workers’ compensation claim can help provide financial relief. And, although monetary benefits may not completely restore one’s well-being, it is an important means of covering medical expenses and related costs.

With more than 136 years of combined experience, the attorneys at David & Associates, Attorneys at Law, PLLC can help you assemble the strongest possible workers’ compensation claim and begin the process of receiving restitution. With headquarters in Wilmington, we have offices throughout southeastern North Carolina and are prepared to serve throughout the region.

How Construction Injuries Happen

Employers, general contractors, and worksite owners have an obligation to keep their premises and machinery safe. Unfortunately, they routinely fail to meet common safety standards. As a result, the construction industry sees more injured workers than any other sector of the American economy — indeed, more than 100,000 construction workers are injured in an average year.

This is needless. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) notes that three types of accidents — falls, electrocutions, and loose objects — are responsible for more than half of all construction fatalities. The OSHA also notes that, in most cases, fatalities arising from these accidents are entirely preventable.

What Can I Do If I’ve Been Hurt?

When you or a loved one has been hurt while working on a construction site, there is legal recourse. Namely, through workers’ compensation claims, you can obtain financial restitution to pay for your medical care, lost wages, and related considerations.

The lawyers at David & Associates can help ensure you receive the compensation you need. Based in Wilmington, and serving throughout North Carolina, we have more than 136 years of combined experience in the field. We are skilled at asserting our clients’ rights and interests when dealing with insurers and opposing counsel. Our goal is to maximize the financial relief our clients receive.

The Most Common Accident Types

The OSHA has identified the ten commonest causes of construction site injuries:

• Falls
• Inadequate or faulty scaffolding
• Worksite communications failures
• Respiratory hazards
• Industrial trucking mishaps
• Faulty electrical wiring
• Uncontrolled hazardous energy sources
• Inadequately safe or poorly maintained machinery
• Unsafe ladders
• Poorly designed electrical systems

Those in charge of worksites ought to be on the lookout for deficiencies in these areas. When they fail to maintain safe working conditions, injuries — and the attendant lawsuits — will result.

Slip-And-Falls Cause Millions of Injuries Each Year

Slip-and-fall accidents lead to more than 8 million emergency room visits each year. They are the primary cause of lost work time in the United States and account for nearly 10 percent of job-related fatalities. For injury victims, a slip or fall can be incredibly costly. There will be medical bills to pay, as well as the costs of ongoing care. If you are unable to return to work, you will suffer a financial setback in the form of lost wages. For many, obtaining restitution through a workers’ compensation claim is the only means of avoiding bankruptcy.

What to Do After a Slip-And-Fall Accident

To maximize your ability to obtain workers’ compensation funds, it is important to take action immediately. This includes:

• Seeking out medical attention: As with an injury, your priority should be your own recovery. However, there is another reason to consult with a physician after you’ve been hurt. Namely, a doctor will provide an objective account of your injury’s severity, and thereby establish important evidence as the legal aspects of your case proceed.
• Document any hazards at the site of your injury: Slips and falls on work sites are often caused by inherently unsafe conditions. There may be slick or slippery floors, broken or uneven ground, misplaced objects, inadequate lighting, or other hazards. Investigate the scene. Write down what you find. Take photographs. Such documentation can serve as important evidence for you and your lawyer in the event that matters go to court.
• Identify witnesses and get their accounts: If there were witnesses to your accident, have them supply you with their account of events. Obtain their names and contact information. They can provide crucial objective accounts with regard to the worksite conditions and the nature of your accident — accounts that can be used in any legal proceedings.
• Be careful about what you say and agree to: Shortly after your injury, you will likely be approached by insurers or other representatives of your employer. It is important to be careful about what you say to them concerning the extent of your injuries and how the accident came about. Anything you admit can be used against you later.

When You Need Help, Turn To Us

In cases of workplace injury, a skilled Wilmington construction injury lawyer can help protect your interests and your rights.

If you would like to learn more about how our firm can assist, reach out to us for a consultation by calling 910-208-0535 or sending us an email. Initial consultations are always free.