Georgia Construction Accident Lawyer
Construction accidents can be devastating. Construction workers in Georgia regularly work with large equipment and dangerous power tools. They frequently have to work around debris or at great heights, and work closely with people they may not see regularly or have ever worked with before. This hectic mix is almost the perfect recipe for accidents. If you or your family member have been injured in one of these accidents, you need to protect your legal rights. Take the time to talk with a Georgia construction accident lawyer.
Our attorneys have over 20 years of experience helping construction workers and their families. We know how painful and stressful these accidents can be—and the toll they take on your life. That’s why we work exclusively for those who are injured, never representing employers or insurance companies. And we have a two-decade history of bringing back results. Call us at (888) 553-0419 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
What are my legal options after a construction accident in Georgia?
In most situations, a construction worker will look to the workers compensation system to help them get benefits, lost wages, and medical care. But, there are situations where workers compensation may not be an option for a variety of reasons.
Some construction companies operate with “independent contractors” instead of employees. Independent contractors are technically not allowed to get workers compensation benefits under Georgia law. But, some employers will tell you that you are an independent contractor when you really aren’t. That means you could be entitled to workers compensation and not even know it. A lawyer can help you determine your actual status as a worker.
There are also situations where, as a construction worker, you are at someone else’s job site and someone else causes your injury. Under those circumstances, you might have two options:
- You may be able to get workers compensation benefits from your employer, and
- You may be able to recover damages from the individual or company that caused your accident—through an insurance claim or lawsuit.
And, in many cases, you can do both. That’s because workers compensation doesn’t cover all of your damages, such as pain and suffering or mental anguish. It also doesn’t deal with any accident that’s caused by someone who doesn’t work for your employer.
“Independent contractors” may also be able to recover damages in many cases — even when no workers compensation is available.
The specific options available to you will depend on what happened in your accident. The best way to determine your legal options is to talk with an experienced construction accident lawyer. They will be to tell what kind of rights you have and what legal avenues you can take to increase your chances of financial recovery.
3 Things You Should Do After a Construction Accident
When a construction accident happens, you should take a few steps to help your legal case:
1. Get medical help.
Regardless of whether you are an employee, independent contractor, or someone walking by, you need to get medical attention for your injuries immediately. Construction accidents are often very serious, and you should take steps to ensure that you are alright—even if you feel fine right away after the incident.
Even in a “minor” accident, such as a pulled muscle or a cut that needs stitches, go to the doctor.
Going to the doctor right away serves double duty. Not only does it protect your health, it also strengthens any legal case you have. Insurance companies think it’s suspicious when an injured person doesn’t get help right away. Later, they will question your injury or say you made it worse by waiting. The sooner you get medical treatment, the stronger the proof that your construction accident is 100% at fault for your injuries.
2. Report the incident.
Workers should always report work accidents. And, even if you aren’t a worker, you should still let someone know about your injuries or property damage. Speak to your direct supervisor or whoever is in charge of the site, get their name and contact information, and get your report put into writing. Ask for a copy of the injury report.
Of course, if you have to go directly to the emergency room, you can’t give notice immediately. Be sure to follow up to let someone know what happened as soon as you can. You can often get a hard copy of the injury report at a later time. But, if you don’t see anyone write anything down, it’s a good idea to make a written statement of your own and drop it off with the construction company that appears to be in charge of the site as a whole.
3. Call in a construction accident lawyer.
What you do next will depend on what type of accident or claim you might have. The only way to know what your best options are is to speak with a construction attorney. Construction accident cases are extremely fact-specific so you will need to provide as much information about the accident as you can to your attorney to help determine the best actions for you.
Your lawyer’s first job is to help you gather and preserve information, which is a huge focus in construction accident cases. For example, if you were injured because of a malfunction of equipment, you may need to have an expert examine that equipment before it’s fixed. That means that you need to act quickly. Your lawyer will be able to help you with the entire process.
Talk to a Georgia Construction Accident Lawyer for Free
Workers and their families often get shirt shrift in construction accidents—but it doesn’t have to be that way. Stand up for your legal rights and get the money that you and your family deserve. Let our attorneys give you a FREE consultation and get you answers. We charge nothing if we don’t win you money. Call us at (888) 553-0419 or fill out the form to the right to schedule your free consultation today.
