Tens of thousands of construction workers sustain injuries in the workplace so severe that they have to take time off work. It’s one of the most dangerous industries to work in, which means the risk of disabling injuries is higher than most other lines of work.
But just because the risks are higher doesn’t mean that your employer can’t do everything in their power to make your workplace a safe environment. If you have suffered a recent construction accident, then these are some of the steps you may wish to take.
Step 1# Seek Medical Care
After you injure yourself at a worksite, it’s crucial to consult a medical professional. Even if your injury doesn’t seem bad, your adrenaline can hide a lot of pain, discomfort, and serious injuries. Some injuries may not even show up for days, so getting a thorough examination can put you in the best possible position for recovery after the incident occurs.
What’s more, if you seek treatment early on, there will be a record of this should you ever need to file a personal injury lawsuit or compensation claim. A construction accident lawyer in Texas could assist with this process.
Step 2# Make Contact with Your Employer
Once you’ve sought medical treatment, it’s imperative to make contact with your employer. Your workplace, or even your state, may have requirements about timeframes for reporting accidents.
The sooner you report the incident, the better it can be for any situations that may come next. For example, you may be able to accelerate the process of a worker’s compensation claim. Immediate reporting can also make it seem more honest and reliable – to your employer, the court, and insurance companies.
What’s more, your employer can’t take steps to rectify the problem if they don’t know about it. Your incident could stop it from happening to others.
Write down everything that happened, request a copy, and be as accurate as possible with the timeline and events that occurred.
Step 3# Gather Evidence and Information
To improve your chances of being appropriately and promptly compensated for your workplace injury, make sure you gather as much information as possible.
Request information from any witnesses who may have seen what happened and take photos of the scene. Don’t forget to take pictures of your injury and any clothing you were wearing at the time, as well.
Keep a paper trail of your medical records and receipts of all costs associated with your treatment. Essentially, you want to document your healing journey from the moment you suffered the injury in the first place. If you’ve had correspondence with your employer, then make a note of all this communication, too.
Step 4# Contact a Construction Accident Attorney in Texas
Navigating the complicated world of personal injury claims and workers’ compensation claims can be stressful. When you’ve been involved in a construction accident, you may not have the strength to do it on your own, either.
Let a construction accident attorney in Texas take the lead. They can provide you with information on two possible avenues, based on how your injury came about in the first place.
The first option is a workers’ compensation claim. This insurance type offers medical expense cover and wage loss benefits. The figures depend on your injury and its severity.
The second option is a personal injury claim. If you go down this route, you can’t claim workers’ compensation. Many people injured on worksites may choose this option if they are not covered by workers’ compensation, a third party was to blame, or there’s product liability or negligence in play.
If You’ve Been Injured In A Construction Accident J. Alexander Firm Can Help!
So, if you have been injured in a construction accident it is ideal to share your story with a personal injury attorney. At J. Alexander Law Firm, we can help you decide which option is right for you and get the ball rolling. Contact us today to set up a free consultation.