Construction work is one of the most dangerous types of jobs. If you are in the field, you face a much higher risk of accidents and serious injuries. These are some crucial steps to take if you suffer a personal injury on a construction site.
Inform Your Employer
Immediately inform your employer of the accident and your construction injury. The sooner you act, the sooner your employer can file a workers’ compensation claim on your behalf and the more likely it is that claim will be approved. Per the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, your employer must also take certain steps to prevent accidents like the one you experienced from happening ever again. Reporting the situation is the best way to allow that to happen.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you don’t immediately feel hurt after your accident, you must seek medical attention. Some injuries lie dormant for hours or even days. With a construction injury, you might also have internal bleeding or organ damage, both of which are very serious. Going to the emergency room or even seeing your primary care doctor can help prevent your injuries from worsening. You will also have medical records that prove your condition. Your construction accident lawyers at A to Z Injury Law can use them as strong evidence in your case.
Find Witnesses
In most cases, after a construction accident, there are witnesses around who saw the events as they occurred. It’s crucial to get the names, contact information and statements of these people because they can be valuable assets to your case. Even if you don’t record their statements about the accident or have them write them down, construction accident lawyers can contact them when necessary to find out what they saw. In the event that your employer refuses you a workers’ compensation claim, the witnesses could testify on your behalf.
Gather Information
In addition to your medical records, you should gather other information to strengthen your claim. For a construction injury, you should have your medical bills and photos and video of the scene of the accident. If your employer failed to provide the safety equipment necessary to prevent an accident, that should be included in any photographic evidence. Photos of your injuries can also help your claim.
Your personal injury lawyer will want to go through any correspondence you have had with your employer regarding the accident. This is documentation that can strengthen your claim and show that your employer is liable.
Consult With an Attorney
Finally, consult with an attorney experienced in the area of personal injury. They can advise you on how to proceed with your case and ensure that your employer is held responsible.
If you suffered injuries in a construction accident in Florida, you deserve compensation. Contact A to Z Injury Law at your earliest convenience to discuss your case with a personal injury lawyer.