With all the growth in Griffin, Georgia, there are more and more construction sites popping up. While growth is usually considered to be a good thing, these construction sites can be quite dangerous. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are roughly 150,000 injuries each year from construction-related accidents.
Additionally, about 1 in 5 workplace deaths occur at construction sites. If you have been injured in an accident at a construction site, you need an experienced attorney to help you get the compensation you are owed. Contact The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers today at (404) 567-4546 to schedule a free consultation with a Griffin construction accident lawyer.
How The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Construction Accident in Griffin
Claims related to construction accidents in Griffin, Georgia, can get complicated. In some situations, workers’ compensation may be your only remedy. However, you might be able to bring a lawsuit for your injuries in other situations. The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can help you in the following ways:
- Determine your employment status for workers’ compensation coverage
- Investigate the accident to determine any third parties who may be responsible
- Help you present strong medical evidence to support your case
- Negotiate a settlement with the insurance company
- Fight for you in court when the situation requires it
If you have been injured on a construction site, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries. Our team has recovered tens of millions of dollars for other injury victims, and we are ready to help you, too. Contact us today to speak with a Griffin personal injury attorney.
What is My Construction Accident Case Worth?
The potential value of construction accident cases can vary widely. One of the major factors that may determine the value of your case is whether or not workers’ compensation is your only remedy. Workers’ compensation limits your recovery mainly to compensation for medical bills and lost wages. This could limit the potential value of your case since you would not be entitled to compensation for “pain and suffering” damages.
However, third-party liability can apply in construction accidents. This could allow you to file a lawsuit against a third party who is responsible for the accident. In that situation, the value of your claim is likely much higher. The specific value would still depend on the severity of your injuries.
This is one reason it is so important to seek the help of an experienced construction accident attorney. Your attorney can help identify any third parties who may have liability. The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can help make sure you are fully compensated after your accident.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Construction Accident Victims?
The damages available to construction accident victims depend on who is at fault. Available damages are different for workers’ compensation claims versus third-party liability claims.
Georgia Workers’ Compensation Benefits
If you are injured on the job, you are almost always entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, these benefits are generally limited to medical bills and lost wages. If you sustain permanent effects from your injury, you might also be entitled to disability benefits. Common types of damages in a workers’ compensation case include:
- Payments for reasonable medical treatments related to your injury
- Temporary partial disability benefits are capped at $450 per week for 350 weeks or until you can return to work without restrictions
- Temporary total disability benefits equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage – capped at $675 per week
- Permanent total disability benefits equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage for life
- Death benefits to surviving family members
Remember that workers’ compensation benefits only cover employees–not independent contractors. However, independent contractors may be deemed legal employees in some workers’ comp situations. An experienced construction accident attorney can help determine your employment classification.
Third-Party Liability Claims
If a third party has some responsibility for your accident, you may be entitled to a much broader range of damages. Third parties who can potentially be liable for these accidents include property owners, equipment manufacturers, vehicle drivers, general contractors, and others. These claims allow you to recover for both economic and non-economic damages.
Some damages common in third-party liability claims include:
- Medical bills and lost wages not covered by workers’ compensation
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of quality of life
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement
Cases involving third parties are usually worth much more than strict workers’ compensation claims. This is because you can recover more types of damages. Contact The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to let us help you identify all the damages to which you may be entitled.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Construction Accident Lawyer?
The good news is that hiring a construction accident lawyer does not usually require any money upfront. Similar to car accident lawyers, most construction accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that their fee is taken as a portion of any recovery awarded to you.
In workers’ compensation cases in Georgia, the attorney’s contingency fee is limited to no more than 25% of the weekly benefits or total settlement. This is typically less than the contingency fee associated with third-party liability claims. The fees in those types of claims can range from 25% to 45% of the total recovery.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed For a Construction Accident in Georgia?
Yes, you are still entitled to compensation even if you are partially to blame for your accident. Workers’ compensation is no-fault insurance coverage, so you will get compensated no matter who is at fault. As long as your accident did not involve drugs, alcohol, or willful misconduct, you will still get paid.
Georgia’s modified comparative negligence laws will apply when pursuing a third-party claim. Under these rules, you can still recover compensation as long as you were less than 50% at fault. Your recovery will be reduced by your portion of the fault.
For example, imagine that you have accrued $10,000 in damages and are pursuing a third-party claim. If you are found to be 30% responsible for the accident, you are still entitled to recover $7,000 in damages from the responsible party.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation For All Of Your Construction Accident Injuries
Construction accidents often result in severe or catastrophic injuries. Injuries caused by construction accidents can include:
- Broken bones
- Severe burns
- Loss of limb
- Brain injuries
- Wrongful death
- Back injuries
- Nerve damage
If you have been injured in a construction accident, contact The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers. Let us help evaluate all your injuries and get you a full and fair recovery.
What Causes Most Construction Accidents in Griffin, Georgia?
These workplace accidents can be caused by a variety of reasons. Construction sites are simply dangerous due to the heavy equipment, chemicals, and other inherent dangers in those locations. There are four main causes of construction site accidents that result in about 60% of construction-related deaths. This “fatal four” includes:
- Falls
- Being struck by an object
- Electrocution
- Crush accidents (being caught between objects)
Outside of the “fatal four,” here are a few other causes of accidents, including:
- Missing protective equipment
- Faulty equipment
- Poor communication about hazards
While there are many safety rules in place to help prevent these accidents, they still happen too often.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Construction Accident in Georgia?
If you are involved in a workplace accident, you generally need to notify your employer within 30 days of the accident. Some employers may have specific reporting guidelines contained in their employee handbook or other employment documentation. Additionally, workers’ compensation claims must typically be filed within one year from the date of the accident.
If you are eligible to pursue a third-party claim, there is a two-year statute of limitations that applies in those situations. Missing any of these deadlines could prevent you from getting compensation. Seeking the help of an experienced construction accident lawyer can help ensure that you file your claims in a timely manner. The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can help assess your claim, determine the applicable deadlines, and make sure everything is filed on time.
Contact Our Griffin Construction Accident Lawyers For a Free Consultation
Construction accidents in Griffin, Georgia, can leave victims with life-altering injuries, and you may never be able to return to work again. Workers’ compensation might not fully compensate you for all your damages and future lost wages. However, if you can pursue a third-party claim, you are entitled to recover many more types of damages.
If you have been injured in a construction accident, time could be running out to file a claim. Contact The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers today at (404) 567-4546 to speak with a Griffin construction accident lawyer about your situation. We are ready to help you get the compensation to which you are legally entitled.