Construction injuries happen regardless of how careful you are. This is especially true in the construction industry where it’s surrounded by heavy equipment, unfinished structures, and dangerous materials and tools.
Everyone can be a victim—whether you’re a passerby that got caught with a falling object or lack of sleep gets the better of you while working. Get the facts right on the danger of sleep deprivation as a construction worker here.
If you get injured on a construction site, make sure to take these necessary steps:
1. Get Medical Help Right Away
Your immediate safety and wellbeing are of the utmost importance—even more so with a construction accident that typically causes serious injuries. Thus, getting medical help right away should be your first concern after a construction injury.
Get your injuries treated and tell the doctor anything that hurts or feels sore after the injury. Even if it seems you only have a minor injury or don’t feel any symptoms at all, have a doctor fully examine you.
2. Notify Your Employer
If you’re a construction worker who got injured while working, then you need to notify your employer about the accident right away. Most states have specific deadlines by which an employee can report and file an accident. And even if your state doesn’t have such deadlines, immediate reporting of a construction work accident has several benefits.
For one, it allows the earliest processing of your compensation claim and helps avoid any unnecessary delays. Also, immediate reporting can make your claim look more valid in the eyes of your employer, the court, and the insurance company. Lastly, it forces employers to take immediate action in preventing a similar construction accident from occurring again and injuring other employees.
Make sure to put your accident report in writing. Be as specific as possible when telling what happened and include every detail you remember. A well-written report is an invaluable card in case a dispute occurs. Make sure to keep a copy of your report with you.
In addition, you should always report any accident you’ve been involved in while working—whether or not you’re injured. Filing an incident report can protect you in case you experience any symptoms weeks or months after an accident.
3. File A Compensation Claim
After reporting to your employer and filing an accident report, the next step is to file a claim. Usually, your employer should provide you with a claim form after filing your accident report. Until a claim form is completed and filed, your employer has no legal obligation to provide you with compensation or benefits.
Complete the necessary information on the form and return it to your employer who’d fill up the ‘Employer’ section. After that, your employer should forward your claim to their insurance company.
Your employer should give you a copy of the completed form. If not, you can always ask for a copy of your own records.
4. Gather Information
To ensure prompt and maximum compensation for your construction injuries, you need evidence. So, make sure to gather as much information about your injuries and the accident as possible.
Some of the information you need is:
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Correspondence With Your Employer
You should keep a copy of every document you file with your employer. This can also include recordings of in-person conversations or telephone calls.
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Photographs Of The Accident Scene And Any Damages
Photographs are powerful evidence, especially if your employer failed to provide the necessary safety equipment to protect you from injuries. Also, make sure to take photographs of any damage that you sustained due to the accident such as a bruised arm or torn shirt.
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Medical Record
You must file and keep a record of all your medical expenses and medical records. You should also start keeping a daily journal documenting the possible impact of the accident.
5. Consult A Lawyer
A smart move you can make after filing a compensation claim is to consult with an experienced lawyer in construction accidents. A reliable lawyer can help you understand the benefits and maximum compensation you’re entitled to receive.
But most importantly, a trusted attorney can make the whole process easier. They can help you gather the necessary information and documents needed to complete a claim or fight for your right in case a dispute arises. A reliable lawyer can remove the stress of dealing with all these legal and claim processes, allowing you to focus more on your physical recovery.
Takeaway
Construction sites are one of the most chaotic and dangerous places to be. A single misstep is all it takes for construction accidents to occur. And while we hope that you never get caught in a construction accident, if you get injured on a construction site, make sure to follow the above steps to ensure that you’re properly compensated.
