If you are reading this, it means that you or a loved one has been injured in a construction site accident. Every step you take from now on can play a crucial role in getting compensated for your losses.
Here is a step-by-step guide to what you must do next.
1: Seek Medical Attention
In any situation, your health must be a top priority for you. As soon as you face an injury, you must immediately seek medical attention. Remember, this step is important even if you feel like you can walk off your minor injuries.
Seeking medical attention even in case of slight discomfort is important because not every injury shows on the surface. Some injuries are also internal and can cause significant damage when left untreated. You may not see these injuries, but your healthcare provider will.
Based on the intensity of your injuries, they will be able to provide you with the medical attention you need. In addition, these medical records will also become a crucial part of the documentation you may need to maximize your claim.
2: Talk to Your Employer
After you have received the necessary treatment, you must get in touch with your employer as soon as possible. You must let them know about your injury, especially if there is a deadline for reporting an injury in your state. Otherwise, any rights for your compensation may be forfeited.
When you talk to your employer about the injuries you sustained, do not just have a verbal conversation. Instead, write a written report with all the details of your injuries, and remember to keep a copy of it with yourself.
Do not just leave the written report at your supervisor’s desk. Instead, let the superintendent and supervisors know as well. Filing a report timely ensures legal compliance and enables eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits.
3: Keep Detailed Documents
Another important thing you must remember is the importance of documentation in personal injury claims. The more thoroughly you document the evidence, the stronger your claim can be, leading to maximum compensation.
To begin with, you must take detailed pictures of the accident site, your injuries, and anything you find relevant to the incident. You can also ask the witnesses for their names and contact information to maximize your benefits.
In addition to taking pictures and videos of the evidence, you must also jot down your account of the events in a journal. All of this information can be crucial in building your case and helping you get compensated for your losses.
4: Hire a Lawyer
Accidents at construction sites occur more often than you think. This means that your management might already have experience in dealing with personal injury claims. If you plan on facing them by yourself, you may not stand a chance.
Instead of risking compensation for your losses, you need lawyers fighting for injured construction workers by your side. Professional construction accident lawyers have years of experience and unmatched expertise for their clients. They can help you, no matter how complex your claim is.
With an experienced car accident lawyer by your side, you will have a greater chance of getting fairly compensated for your injuries and lost wages. They will ensure that your rights are protected at every step of the way.
5: File a Claim
Once you have an experienced and reliable personal injury lawyer by your side, you can confidentially file a worker’s compensation claim. Your lawyer will be by your side to assist you through this process while ensuring your peace of mind.
Your lawyer will help you fill out specific forms provided by your employer. Since these forms can be complex, your lawyer will break down every detail for you to make sure that you understand your rights and make the right choices.
People who file their claims by themselves often regret this decision as they make mistakes that harm their claim. Inaccurate information can also lead to an unexpected delay in the process and several other problems down the lane.
6: Maintain Medical Records
Fighting for your legal rights can take a toll on the strongest among us. Between being indulged in paperwork and thinking about lost wages, many people make the mistake of forgetting about their medical needs.
By taking your medical care for granted, you will not only put your well-being at risk but also affect your potential for securing maximum compensation for your loss. Following medical advice demonstrates the gravity of your injury.
Even with a hectic schedule, you must attend all appointments and physical therapy sessions as recommended by your healthcare provider and avoid certain appointments. This way, you will have strong grounds to prove the intensity of your injuries.
7: Talk about Finances
Several construction workers lose their ability to work after enduring a serious injury at work. Some lose their abilities temporarily, and others permanently. Since the accident at work was not your fault, you have the right to be compensated for your financial losses.
In order to be fairly compensated, you must keep a detailed record of all your expenses after the injury. This includes your expenses for medical appointments, medication costs, travel expenses, medical bills, and other related costs.
Your construction accident lawyer can help you in calculating and documenting your lost wages. When documented correctly, you will have a chance to be compensated for the lost wages so that you can recover with peace of mind.
8: Avoid Social Media Platforms
When you file a claim for compensation after sustaining an injury at the construction site, every action you take can make or break your case. That is why it is recommended that you stay off social media till your claim is settled. It may seem restricting, but it can lead to several benefits in the long run.
You do not want to post something that contradicts your injury claim and could be used against you. Maintaining a distance from social media ensures that your employers or insurance companies do not use something you post against you.