Construction sites are, by nature, hazardous locations. Workers in the construction industry who operate large equipment, tools, and trucks frequently work at great heights or close to electricity and other dangers. Unanticipated events can have devastating repercussions.
Although they only comprise approximately 6% of the U.S. labor force, construction workers are responsible for about 20% of all workplace fatalities. Despite improvements in safety gear, technology, and staff training, workplace mishaps continue to result in severe and permanently disabling injuries daily.
Consult Albany construction accident lawyers if you were harmed or lost a loved one in a construction accident to learn more about your rights.
Construction Accidents’ Four Most Common Causes
OSHA collected the four major factors associated with fatal workplace accidents. These are the Fatal Four:
- Falls
- being struck by something
- Electrocutions
- being entrapped or sandwiched between machinery or items
Workers’ compensation benefits may be available in Georgia to employees hurt in construction accidents. The workers’ compensation system may also be able to provide death benefits to a worker’s family.
How to Proceed Following a Construction Accident
As soon as a work accident occurs, get medical attention. The better your prognosis, the sooner you can begin treatment. After that, do the following:
- Report the accident: So’s a legal requirement in Georgia for employees to notify their employers of a workplace injury within 30 days of the incident, but you should do it as soon as possible. A copy should be kept for your records.
- Collect proof: Make the finest possible notes about the scene. Take pictures of the building scene and your wounds. You might also wish to make notes on what transpired and ask for the names of any witnesses. All correspondence you had with your employer regarding the accident, including any emails or documents, should be kept.
- Always heed medical advice: For workers’ compensation claims, medical documentation is essential. Keep all follow-up appointments, and don’t depart from your doctor’s recommended course of treatment.
- Speak with a workers’ compensation lawyer – Filling out a tonne of paperwork and giving your employer’s insurance provider data are required when filing a workers’ compensation claim. This procedure can be tiresome, particularly if you are healing from a severe injury or mourning the loss of a loved one. A lawyer can assist in developing a compelling case and pursuing the compensation you are due.
