Accidents on Construction Sites: Understand Your Options through Workers Compensation or a Civil Action

 

How to Get a Fair Construction Accident Settlement 

 

Despite several special labor laws in the United States, construction accidents cause many catastrophic injuries and deaths each year.

 

Indeed, working in the construction industry is a hazardous occupation. The tasks you must perform at a construction site are dangerous, often involving heavy machinery and equipment. And accidents occur. Frequently. 

 

Unfortunately, no technological advancements or training has proved beneficial in putting a leash on accidents. Indeed, the hundreds (if not thousands) of safety rules and regulations cannot entirely remove the risk of accidental injury on the job site. And many of these accidents result in debilitating injuries, loss of limbs and other body parts, and even death. 

 

Workers compensation laws provide cash and medical benefits to injured construction workers. But these benefits are limited.

 

Therefore, a third-party lawsuit against the general contractor, another subcontractor, or the property owner is often necessary to be made whole. 

 

This article discusses your legal options for injuries in a construction site accident. And what to expect when seeking monetary relief.

 

Contact us if you have questions about your options: (804) 251-1620 or (757) 810-5614. We are top-rated Virginia construction accident lawyers with the knowledge, skill, experience, and reputation to help you win.

 

 

Construction Accident Statistics

 

The U.S. Labor Department collects data on accidents, injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in the workplace. And this information regularly proves the construction industry is one of the most dangerous places for employees.

 

Several statistics show just how hazardous the construction industry can be:  

 

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports 150,000 to 200,000 construction accident injuries each year. 

 

• Nearly two percent of construction workers suffer an injury resulting in time missed from work each year. 

 

• In 2019 more than 130,000 construction workers missed work because of injuries.  

 

• The construction industry accounts for more than 8 percent of all workplace injuries resulting in missed time. 

 

• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that injury rates in construction are more than 70 percent higher than the rates across all industries on average. 

 

• On average, 20% of worker deaths in the country are due to occupational safety hazards on construction sites, even though less than 6 percent of full-time American workers are in construction. Indeed, there were more than 1,000 fatal injuries in the construction industry in 2019.

 

What Causes Accidents in the Construction Industry?

 

Construction accidents come in many forms.

 

Some injuries result from negligence (human factors and mistakes), such as equipment operator errors.

 

But other construction site injuries result from a machine or material failure.

 

Here are some of the most common construction site accidents:

 

Caught In or Between Accidents

 

Caught-in or – between injuries happen when you are squeezed, crushed, caught, pinched, or pinned between two or more objects on the construction site. These types of accidents often cause severe damage to hands, fingers, arms, feet, and legs.

 

For example, our firm has represented construction workers pinned between forklifts and walls or caught under a pile of material that fell when struck by equipment. 

 

Trench Collapses and Excavation Accidents

 

Trenching and excavation are common on job sites. 

 

Unfortunately, they are also dangerous.

 

A trench collapse can cause injuries such as a torn meniscus if your leg twists during the fall or traumatic brain injury.

 

In addition, a trench collapse may cause you to be trapped or buried for a period. Such an experience increases the risk of psychological conditions as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

 

Overhead Accidents (Falling Debris and Objects)

 

Many construction sites have multiple levels. You might be working on one level while coworkers or other subcontractors perform tasks at a higher elevation. 

 

In this situation, you have an increased risk of being struck by tools or building materials that fall from the level above.

 

Indeed, we have represented several construction workers who suffered head injuries and post-concussion syndrome because a coworker or other subcontractor’s employee had thrown an object from a scaffold or roof without looking to see who was below. 

 

Crane Accidents

 

Cranes are necessary on many job sites.

 

But any person in a crane’s swing radius is at risk.  And hoist and crane accidents often result in catastrophic injury and property damages.

 

Common crane accident causes include boom or crane contact with energized power lines, boom collapse, dropped loads, operator error, rigging failures, and wind or ground shifts causing the crane to overturn. 

 

Falls from Heights (Scaffolding Collapses and Ladder Accidents)

 

Construction workers often perform their job at heights – on roofs, ladders, and scaffolds and in window openings. For example, one study found that about two million construction employees work on scaffold platforms frequently (and many more on ladders).

 

Uneven working surfaces, human error, faulty ladders and scaffolds, defective harnesses, and the misuse of or failure to use fall protection equipment result in many falls from ladders and scaffolds and injuries severe enough to require time off the job.

 

You can read about workers comp for falls from ladders and heights for more information. 

 

Electrical (Electrocution) Accidents

 

Exposure to electric currents (overhead power lines, exposed wires, lightning if working outside during a thunderstorm, powered machinery) can result in electric shock and burn injuries. 

 

Other Roofing Accidents (including Collapses)

 

Falls from roofs account for a significant percentage of construction injuries and deaths. But falling is not the only risk to roofers and persons around these sites.

 

For example, hot roofing tar, holes in the roof, and roof collapses can cause harm to everyone nearby.

 

Elevator Shaft Accidents

 

Construction workers are at risk of falling in an unprotected elevator shaft when employers and job site owners do not take the proper precautions. 

 

For example, a maintenance tech working on an escalator at a nearby Richmond mall died when he fell down the shaft.

 

Explosions, Fires, and Gas Leaks

 

Flammable gases (including compressed gases) and unfinished electrical systems can cause fires and explosions on the construction site.

 

Exposure to Chemicals and Toxic Substances

 

A failure to recognize chemical hazards and toxic substances results in many chemical burns and respiratory problems on job sites each year.

 

Other toxic hazards include asbestos (which causes mesothelioma) and solvents.

 

Exposure to Extreme Temperatures

 

Construction takes place in types of weather, putting construction workers at risk of overexposure to extreme temperatures.

 

Extreme temperatures can result in heatstroke, heat exhaustion, heat strokes, and frostbite.

 

Forklift Accidents

 

More than 90,000 employees are hurt each year when operating powered industrial trucks and equipment such as forklifts.

 

Operator error resulting in turnovers and collisions with other forklifts, persons on the job site, and materials sticking out from shelves causes many injuries.

 

Learn more about forklift accident lawsuits and workers comp claims here. 

 

Loud Noises

 

Construction sites have noisy operations and can expose construction workers to high noise levels.

 

These loud noises may cause permanent hearing loss.

 

Machinery Accidents and the Misuse of Power Tools

 

Heavy machinery and tools are needed to complete a construction project. But they are also hazardous and can cause serious injuries when they malfunction because of a product defect, are not maintained properly, or the operator makes a mistake.

 

Hand-held machinery, including chain saws, nail guns, and hammers, can also cause harm.

 

Overexertion

 

Moving a heavy object on the job site can cause a muscle strain or a back injury such as a herniated disc.

 

Unfortunately, many work-related back injuries require discectomies and spinal fusion. 

 

Repetitive Motion Injury (Cumulative Trauma)

 

Constant lifting, pushing, and pulling are typical on job sites. And can lead to arthritis in the form of degenerative disc disease or degenerative joint disease.

 

Some state systems pay benefits for these repetitive movement injuries, but others don’t, such as Virginia (though the General Assembly is considering adding coverage).

 

However, you may receive workers comp if a specific movement exacerbates, accelerates, or flares up your preexisting condition. You need only show that the work injury contributed “one iota” to the underlying condition.   

 

Road Construction (Work Zone) Accidents

 

Each year thousands of construction workers are hurt in road construction zones.

 

High volume traffic resulting in being struck by objects, trucks, or other equipment is a leading cause of work zone fatalities and injuries.

 

Slip and Falls (and Trips and Falls)

 

A slip or trip and fall on uneven or wet ground, tools, or debris can cause a torn ACL, foot and ankle injury, or broken bones.   

 

Transportation Accidents (Getting Hit by a Truck or Car)

 

Construction workers frequently travel to and from construction sites and perform their job near vehicles entering, leaving, and driving past the site.

 

These acts and the proximity to automobiles and tractor-trailers increase the risk of a work-related motor vehicle accident.

 

Welding Accidents

 

Welding exposes construction workers to excessive heat, burns, and toxic fumes. 

 

What Factors Influence Construction Accidents? The Most Frequently Cited OSHA Violations on Construction Sites.

 

In 1970 Congress enacted the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act “to assure, so far as possible, every working man and woman in the nation safe and healthful working conditions.” This law’s goal is to reduce workplace injuries and fatalities by creating an employer’s standard of care on the job site.

 

The OSH Act’s General Duty Clause

 

The OSH Act includes a General Duty Clause and specific standards and regulations. Employers must comply with all these rules to keep employees safe and prevent them from getting injured on the job. 

 

An employer violates the General Duty Clause when:

 

• It failed to keep the workplace free from a hazard to which its employees were exposed. A hazard can be a job-site condition or a specific activity.

 

• It recognized the hazard as one causing or likely to cause death or serious bodily injury. Recognition comes from industry knowledge, actual knowledge, or common sense (obvious dangers).

 

• There was a feasible method to correct or remove the hazard. 

 

An employer also violates the OSH Act if it fails to comply with any other occupational safety and health rule or regulation. 

 

Other Things Your Employers Must Do to Ensure Safety

 

Further, the OSH Act requires every employer to: 

 

• Give information to employees exposed to toxic materials or harmful physical agents, including what corrective action the employer will take

 

• Post a copy of any citation received for violating state or federal safety regulations at the job site where the violation occurred.  

 

• Place a Job Safety and Health Protection Poster in an obvious place 

 

• Report to the Department of Labor and Industry within eight hours any work-related death or within 24 hours any work-related incident resulting in an amputation, inpatient hospitalization, or loss of an eye. 

 

• Compile and maintain the OSHA Form 300 Log. This log records occupational injuries and illnesses, including when the injury occurred, who was hurt, what the injured person was doing when they were hurt, the kind of injury, and the amount of lost time. 

 

• Train its employees on workplace safety

 

• Provide fall protection and personal protective equipment 

 

• Implement safety programs

 

• Allow inspections

 

OSHA’s Role in Construction Site Accidents

 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency authorized to issue workplace health and safety regulations and enforce them through inspections and fines. But it has given control to state agencies in some jurisdictions. 

 

Any state may submit a proposal for a state plan addressing workplace safety and health. The state plan must cover all private employees and state and local government workers and be as stringent as the federal OSH Act.  

 

OSHA has approved state plans in most states, including Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Maryland.

 

Common Workplace Safety Violations on Construction Sites

 

Each year, OSHA releases a list of the most frequently cited workplace safety standards to inform employers about their safety precautions. The main objective behind such a list is to help the industry build a safer work environment for its construction workers.

 

Working at a construction site, you might have noticed serious safety violations putting yourself or co-workers inches or seconds away from serious injury or worse. Or you may have suffered harm already.

 

We recommend you review this list of safety violations to ensure occupational health and safety for you and your colleagues. Or to find the cause of your accident. You can use a violation of safety statutes and OSHA regulations to prove the other party’s negligence.

 

Fall Protection

 

This rule protects employees working on surfaces with unprotected sides or edges more than six feet above a lower level. For example, your employer may have to use guardrail systems, safety net systems, personal fall arrest systems, and hole covers to prevent you from falling.

 

Further, the employer must require that you wear a hard hat if the job site exposes you to falling objects. 

 

Last year OSHA found 5,271 violations of this rule.

 

Respiratory Protection

 

Construction sites often expose employees and visitors to harmful dust, smoke, gases, and vapor. And these substances may cause occupational diseases such as cancer, heart disease, or lung conditions.

 

This safety standard directs employers to have a respiratory protection program. It governs the requirements for such a program, including procedures for fit testing, training, and respirator selection, cleaning, maintenance, and repair

 

Ladders

 

The standard covers the requirements for ladders in the workplace to ensure proper and safe usage.

 

Scaffolding

 

The provision discusses all the necessary measures for scaffold use, from maximum intended load to the suspension rope balance.

 

Hazard Communication

 

Chemical manufacturers must prepare labels and safety data sheets to provide information about the substances.

 

And your employer must develop a system to communicate these hazards to you. 

 

Lockout/Tagout (Control of Hazardous Energy)

 

Employers must develop specific practices and procedures to protect employees from the unexpected startup of machinery and equipment.

 

And you must follow these rules to prevent the employer from raising a willful misconduct defense to a workers comp claim.

 

Training for Fall Protection

 

Every employer is obligated to identify the crucial risk areas where the employees can fall from at the construction site. Upon observation, your supervisors must provide you with proper training to avoid fatal falls.

 

Personal Protective and Life-Saving Equipment for the Eyes and Face

 

Flying objects and chemical gases may result in face and eye injuries. This rule directs employers to provide safety gear to prevent these injuries.

 

Powered Industrial Trucks

 

This rule covers the design, operation, and maintenance of powered industrial trucks such as forklifts, pallet jacks, and motorized hand trucks.

 

Machinery and Machine Guarding

 

Your employer must safeguard any machine part that may cause injury. In addition, nearby hazards must be removed or eliminated when operating the machinery.

 

What are the Most Dangerous Jobs in Construction?

 

Any list of the most dangerous occupations in America will include some construction jobs.   

 

Below is a list of the occupations with the highest number of injuries and workplace fatalities in the construction industry. The data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

 

Our construction accident law firm has helped many people in these occupations (union and non-union) and other construction trades.

 

Roofers

 

Roofers must lift heavy items, climb, bend, kneel, and squat – often at significant heights and during extreme weather. 

 

Roofers are the most at risk of suffering nonfatal falls (slip and fall accidents, trip and fall accidents, etc.), with 86.9 falls per 10,000 full-time roofers in 2016. This is the most common work accident for roofers. 

 

In 2019, there were 4.8 reportable work injuries per 100 full-time roofers and 54 fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time roofers. Only logging workers, fishing and hunting workers, and aircraft pilots and flight engineers had a higher workplace death rate. 

 

Ironworkers (Including Welders)

 

lronworkers install structural steel and iron to form buildings, bridges, and roads.

 

This work is physically demanding and often involves climbing on structures, unloading iron and steel, and using heavy equipment to cut, bend, and weld steel and iron.

 

We have represented many ironworkers who suffered crush injuries when heavy materials fell and struck them.

 

Power Linemen (Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers)

 

Electrical power-line installers climb heights (electrical poles), use bucket trucks, and deal with high-voltage electricity to install and repair electrical power systems and telecommunications cables.

 

This work is demanding and often done in spurts. For example, an electrical lineman may be dispatched to an area dealing with natural emergencies and work 70-hour weeks or more.

 

Recently my firm won two cases for linemen injured when working on cell towers and utility poles.

 

Crane Operators

 

Many construction sites use cranes to lift materials to higher levels or load and unload items.

 

Crane operators maneuver mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials and machines.

 

The most common causes of crane operator injuries include crane crashes, objects striking the crane, and other vehicles hitting the crane.

 

Construction Laborers and Helpers

 

Construction laborers and helpers provide the physical labor to complete construction at building sites. 

 

They load and unload building materials, put together scaffolding, work on ladders and scaffolds, dig trenches, and operate heavy machinery, including forklifts. And they do these things while trying to avoid cables, wires, hoses, holes, and uneven ground while going from spot to spot on the job site.

 

Highway Maintenance Workers

 

Highway maintenance workers patch broken and eroded pavement, repair guard rails, fix road signs, maintain roadside shrubbery and grass, and perform other tasks to maintain highways, municipal and rural roads, and rights of way – sometimes at night.

 

Highway workers are exposed to passing vehicles on active roadways, putting them at risk of suffering catastrophic injuries in an automobile collision.

 

Masonry Workers

 

Masons use bricks, concretes, and natural and artificial stones to build structures.

 

The work is demanding and requires heavy lifting, frequent hand use, and long periods of kneeling, standing, and awkward postures.

 

Electricians

 

An electrician is a tradesperson specializing in electrical wiring, including installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems.

 

Electricians face many workplace hazards faced by other construction workers, plus the risk of electric shock and burns from contact with energized conductors, exposed wires, or stray voltage.

 

Electrocution accidents often result in long-term nerve damage that impacts your ability to return to work in the electrical field.

 

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (HVAC Technicians)

 

HVAC technicians install, repair, and maintain heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems in homes, factories, hospitals, schools, and office buildings.

 

These workers frequently lift (for example – remove old equipment to install new units), bend, and reach. These acts increase the risk of bodily injury.

 

Immediate Steps to Take if a Construction Accident Occurs

 

Now that you’re well aware of the injuries you can sustain, it’s time to take care of the crucial post-accident measures.

 

The post-accident steps will ensure that you get proper protection and adequate compensation for your injury and loss.

 

Inform Your Supervisor

 

The supervisor or manager at construction sites is responsible for keeping the standard procedure, involving upholding precautions.

 

If you suffer a workplace injury, report it – no matter how minor or insignificant it seems. For example, I have represented employees who thought they suffered a temporary strain that turned out to be a rotator cuff tear.

 

Even if you suffer a severe construction site injury that prevents you from giving immediate notice, make sure you tell your employer within 30 days of the accident. Additionally, you should report the work injury in writing.

 

Get Medical Treatment

 

Any personal injury needs the earliest treatment to avoid any irreparable damage.

 

You should consult a licensed health care provider to get immediate medical treatment. First, however, you should ask your employer for a panel (list) of authorized physicians. Otherwise, you may be responsible for paying for health care.

 

There are exceptions to this general rule.

 

For example, you can receive instant medical care if there’s an emergency. But otherwise, you must stay within the referral chain unless the insurer denies your claim.

 

Further, it is best to keep all the medical bills, expense receipts, and additional expense reports with you in their original form.

 

Types of Construction Site Accident Claims and Lawsuits

 

Construction accident cases are complex because they often involve multiple claims against multiple defendants – sometimes in different jurisdictions.

 

Many construction accident cases involve an injured construction worker employed by a subcontractor seeking workers comp benefits from the direct employer and monetary damages from the general contractor, the site owner, or another subcontractor.

 

Workers Compensation

 

In most states (including Virginia), a workers comp claim is the only claim a construction worker can bring against their employer. Benefits provided under workers comp are the “exclusive remedy” for many employees hurt on the job.

 

What is the Workers Comp System?

 

Workers comp is a no-fault system.

 

You can recover benefits even if you caused the accident or your employer did nothing wrong. However, violating an enforced safety rule, intentionally trying to harm yourself, or showing up drunk or high are exceptions.

 

Generally, you need only prove that you suffered an injury by accident arising out of and in the course of the employment. And then satisfy specific procedural requirements (timely notice, filing a claim within the statute of limitations, etc.).

 

You can learn more about this topic in my article: How to Prove Legal and Medical Causation in Workers Comp.

 

If you work for a subcontractor that should carry workers comp insurance but does not, you may be eligible for workers compensation benefits through the general contractor. The law may treat the general contractor (or the subcontractor that hired your employer) as a statutory employer.

 

This legal doctrine is complicated, but a skilled construction accident attorney can help you figure out which route will put the most money in your hands.

 

Workers Comp Benefits Available 

 

If the insurer accepts your claim, or you win on the disputed issues after a workers comp hearing, you may receive benefits such as:

 

• Lifetime medical coverage: Workers compensation law requires insurers to pay for all medical treatment that is reasonable, necessary, and causally related to the work injury or illness. This includes emergency room care, doctor visits, surgeries, prescription drugs, chiropractic care, medical equipment and devices, pain management, therapy, and more. However, the insurer may dispute that treatment is reasonable and causally related at any time – even if you have a workers comp award letter. 

 

• Lost wages: Workers comp provides tax-free payments if you are disabled from all work or restricted to light duty and unable to find a job that accommodates your work-related disability. It also provides wage loss payments if you return to light-duty employment but suffer wage loss. However, in my experience, many construction companies are small businesses with fewer than 25 employees, and they do not have light-duty. This inability to offer accommodated work can increase your claim’s value.

 

• Compensation for permanent impairment: You can receive a lump sum payment if you suffer permanent disability from the work injury (loss of or loss of use of the injured body part or scarring and disfigurement). This payment, called permanent partial disability benefits, is based on your percentage of permanent impairment to the injured body part.

 

Personal Injury Claims after Construction Accidents

 

Workers compensation helps, but it is often inadequate. Especially if you suffered severe injuries causing permanent restrictions. 

 

However, you may have a civil action against a party other than your employer under various theories of liability. This tort action is called a third-party lawsuit.

 

For example, another contractor may be vicariously liable for its employee’s actions if that employee caused your injuries. Or, a premises owner might be strictly liable for injuries resulting from some construction site accidents. In these situations, you may pursue workers comp and a third-party action.

 

But remember, the workers compensation insurer will have a lien against the proceeds from your third-party case. In my experience, however, you can negotiate a lien reduction if you settle the workers comp case while you resolve the third-party construction accident injury claim.  

 

Is the Construction Accident a Third Party’s Fault?

 

Your construction accident lawyer will investigate potential claims against the following parties:

 

• Architects and Engineers: The project’s architects and engineers may owe a duty of care to the construction workers. And if a design flaw or an engineer’s failure to ensure compliance with the blueprints causes your injury, you might have a professional liability claim. 

 

• Construction site owner(s): If the property owner exercises control over the job site and a site condition causes your injury, you may bring a premises liability action. For example, the owner may be held liable for its failure to provide safe access to the job site. 

 

• Driver and vehicle owner: You may bring a car accident lawsuit against the driver of the vehicle that struck you if you were hurt in an auto crash on the job site or while traveling to or from it. The vehicle owner may also be responsible for your injuries (if it is a company or person other than the driver).   

 

• General Contractor and Subcontractors: All employers (including subcontractors) are responsible for providing workers with a reasonably safe construction site and acting to protect employees. You might seek compensation for your injuries if a contractor’s failure to provide a safe workplace caused the harm. For example, you may have a cause of action if a contractor fails to provide safety equipment such as guardrails or fall protection or schedules two or more subcontractors performing dangerous work to complete their tasks simultaneously.

 

• Product Manufacturers: You can bring a product liability action against any company involved in the chain of distribution of defective machinery or equipment. Manufacturers, retailers, and wholesalers can be held responsible for a defective product that causes injury.  

 

Do not be surprised if these parties start to argue with each other after your injury.

 

Indeed, another thing that makes construction accident cases challenging is the defendants may blame one another (focusing on the direct employer so that workers comp is the sole remedy) or a coworker.

 

Fortunately, a thorough investigation where you obtain the OSHA report, take photographs and video of the accident scene, and interview the project manager, general superintendent, and fellow employees can help you defeat these efforts. 

 

What Damages are Available in a Third-Party Construction Accident Lawsuit Filed in Civil Court? 

 

You may recover the following damages in a construction accident lawsuit: 

 

• Counseling costs

 

• Diminished earning capacity (loss of future earnings)

 

• Disfigurement

 

• Loss of enjoyment of life

 

• Lost wages

 

• Medical expenses (past, present, and future)

 

• Mental distress

 

• Physical pain and suffering

 

• Property damage

 

• Punitive damages

 

Family members can also file a wrongful death action if the construction accident is fatal.

 

As you can see, civil actions permit you to recover more types of damages than workers comp claims. Indeed, this is why you should analyze all legal options.

 

Do I Have a Personal Injury Claim if I Suffered Injuries in a Construction Accident but was Not Working on the Job Site?

 

Yes. 

 

Non-employees can recover damages for injuries suffered in a construction accident.

 

For example, a pedestrian walking down the street may get hit by falling debris when going past the job site. Or a dump truck leaving the job site may strike you when you are walking. 

 

You may bring legal action against the construction site owner and the responsible contractors in this situation.

 

What is the Average Settlement Value of a Construction Accident and Injury Case?   

 

The average construction injury settlement is $60,000.00 to $400,000.00 or more in workers comp. This amount is in addition to wage loss and medical benefits paid before the parties settle the claim. 

 

$125,000 to $500,000 or more is the average construction accident settlement in tort claims I handle. The higher amount reflects an injured person’s ability to recover compensation for pain and suffering in third-party actions in civil cases.

 

Information from other sources supports my data:

 

• The National Safety Council (NSC) reported that in 2019 the average cost per work injury requiring medical treatment was $42,000. 

 

• One source states that fifteen percent of all workers comp costs arise from injuries on construction sites.

 

• Construction workers received more workers comp benefits than workers in any other industry nationwide.

 

• The average cost of claims involving roofers and carpenters who fall from elevations is $100,000 or more.

 

Why Should I Hire a Construction Accident Lawyer? 

 

Construction accident cases often involve many federal and state laws and multiple potential defendants. However, a skilled construction accident attorney can guide you through all the issues derailing the ultimate goal: fair compensation that makes you whole 

 

A complete investigation and case preparation involve:

 

• Examining the job site

 

• Interviewing witnesses 

 

• Obtaining and viewing any security camera footage, police records, and dashcam footage that shows the job conditions or your injury

 

• Identifying all potential defendants

 

• Reviewing contracts describing the relationships between the property owner, general contractor, subcontractors, and their employees to determine liability.

 

• Requesting medical records and analyzing them to learn the extent of the injuries and disability 

 

• Compiling your medical bills and out of expenses

 

• Consulting with your doctors, surgeons, and other medical professionals to make sure you get the best treatment possible

 

• Working with expert witnesses to prove the facts necessary to win

 

• Filing a solid complaint that gives you leverage

 

• Using the discovery process (interrogatories, depositions, subpoenas, requests for admissions, requests for the production of documents) to get additional evidence 

 

• Negotiating a construction injury settlement

 

• If negotiation is unsuccessful, presenting your case at trial using many types of evidence 

 

• Seeking a monetary recovery through other sources such as Social Security Disability, long term disability, or the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). Indeed, you can receive SSDI and workers comp simultaneously. Our firm can help you apply for SSDI benefits and present your case at an administrative law judge (ALJ) hearing). 

 

• Answering your questions throughout the process.

 

My injury law firm handles all construction accident injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay any upfront fees or out-of-pocket expenses while we work on your case. And we only get paid when we recover compensation for you. 

 

Were You Injured in a Construction Accident in Virginia? 

 

My firm wants to help. 

 

We are top-rated Virginia workers compensation lawyers and personal injury attorneys who have successfully resolved many construction accident claims through settlement and trial. 

 

If you or a family member were hurt or killed in a construction site accident in Virginia, we are here for you. Call now for high-quality legal representation: (804) 251-1620 or (757) 810-5614. You can also fill out the contact form on this page.