Mobile Construction Accident Lawyer
Seeking Compensation for Mobile Construction Accident Victims
Construction work is demanding and dangerous. Thousands of construction workers are injured each year in the United States. Some construction accidents are unavoidable, but some accidents occur because of negligence or recklessness. If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, seek legal representation from a skilled Mobile construction accident lawyer. Our team is dedicated to fighting for the rights of accident injury victims and helping them secure the compensation they deserve. Contact Lattof & Lattof, P.C., today at 215-850-5528 to schedule a consultation.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Construction Accident?
A construction accident can be a jarring experience, but taking the right steps afterward is essential for your well-being and any potential legal actions. Your first priority should be seeking medical attention, even if you think your injuries are minor. A prompt medical evaluation ensures that injuries are properly treated and documented. Report the accident to your supervisor or employer without delay to ensure it is officially recorded. If it is safe to do so, gather evidence from the scene, such as photographs of the site, your injuries, and any equipment involved. Collect contact information from witnesses who saw the incident. Finally, consult a construction accident lawyer in Mobile to understand your rights and explore your legal options.
Causes of Construction Accidents in Mobile
Construction accidents occur for a variety of reasons. The nature of a construction accident increases the risk of certain types of accidents and injuries. Some of the common causes of construction accidents include:
- Falls — Falls are one of the most common types of construction accidents, according to OSHA. Workers can fall from scaffolding and ladders. Falls also result because of tripping hazards, uneven surfaces, and unstable structures
- Struck by Objects — Being struck by objects is the second most common type of construction accident that results in fatalities
- Electrocutions and Electrical Accident — Construction sites use high voltage equipment. Inadequate warnings and safety procedures can lead to death or injury
- Machinery and Equipment — Defective equipment and improperly maintained equipment can cause severe injuries. Being caught in or between machinery can also result in a construction worker’s injury
- Falling Objects — Equipment and objects left on the upper floors, scaffolds, and ledges can fall and cause serious injuries or death
- Explosions and Fires — Many construction sites have unstable substances that can cause explosions and fires
- Exposure to Toxic Chemicals — Construction workers can be exposed to a variety of toxic chemicals that may be used on some construction sites
One or more parties may be responsible for the conditions that lead to your accident. Parties that might be liable for your injuries include:
- your employer
- property owners
- product manufacturers
- contractors
- material suppliers
- government entities
We help you find out who is responsible for your injuries from a construction accident. You deserve to be compensated when you are injured on a construction site through no fault of your own.
Common Construction Accident Injuries
The injuries from a construction accident vary. A worker may sustain minor injuries that heal in a few weeks or life-threatening and debilitating injuries.
Construction accident injuries include:
- broken bones
- traumatic brain injury
- concussions
- spinal cord injuries and back injuries
- paralysis
- amputations and loss of limbs
- electrical injuries
- burns and severe abrasions
- fractured skull and head injuries
- wrongful death
Regardless of the severity of your injury, it is in your best interest to see a doctor as soon as possible. Immediate medical treatment of construction injuries can prevent further complications. Prompt treatment can also protect your right to seek compensation for your injuries.
Why Is It Important to Identify All Liable Parties?
Construction sites are complex environments where various parties, such as contractors, subcontractors, and equipment providers, play a role. Identifying all responsible parties is critical because multiple parties may share liability for the accident. Each liable entity might have its own insurance coverage, which can increase the total compensation available to you. An attorney can conduct a thorough investigation to identify all the parties that may be held accountable and ensure that you pursue claims against them appropriately.
How Can You Protect Your Rights After a Construction Accident?
Taking steps to protect your rights after a construction accident is essential. Begin by following your doctor’s recommendations and attending all medical appointments to document your injuries fully. Keep detailed records of all expenses related to your accident, such as medical bills, transportation costs, and lost income. Avoid discussing your case with insurance adjusters or signing any paperwork without consulting a lawyer. Insurance companies may try to offer quick settlements that undervalue your claim. A lawyer can help you navigate these negotiations and protect your interests.
Damages Available for Mobile Construction Accidents
Damages in a construction accident may include financial losses and non-economic damages. Examples of the damages in your construction accident claim include:
- past and future medical bills
- past and future lost wages and benefits
- personal care and in-home health care
- diminished earning capacity
- disabilities, scarring, and disfigurement
- physical pain and suffering
- mental anguish and emotional distress
- loss of enjoyment or quality of life
The value of your construction accident claim depends on the damages included in your claim. It also depends on whether you are filing a workers’ compensation or third-party claim. Shared responsibility for the cause of your injuries may also affect the amount of money you receive for a claim.
Our personal injury attorneys work to maximize the compensation you receive for your damages. We work to document all damages. Our legal team may hire witnesses to provide more evidence to prove the severity and extent of your injuries and financial losses.
Can I Receive Compensation for a Construction Accident That Was My Fault?
Your fault could prevent you from recovering compensation for your claim. Alabama uses a pure contributory negligence theory for personal injury claims. If you have any responsibility for the cause of your injuries, you are barred from recovering any compensation from a third party who might have some liability for your injuries. Contributory negligence does not apply to workers’ compensation claims.
Insurance companies use contributory negligence claims to avoid paying valid injury claims. Our Mobile construction accident lawyers understand these tactics and how to fight allegations of contributory negligence.
Can I Get More Than Workers’ Compensation Benefits for a Construction Accident?
You may be advised to file a workers’ compensation claim after a construction accident. In many cases, workers’ compensation can provide benefits to help you while you are out of work. You may receive temporary income benefits and paid medical treatment.
However, you may also have other options for seeking compensation for a construction accident. Workers’ compensation does not compensate you fully for the loss of income or permanent impairments. Also, you do not receive any compensation for pain, suffering, and other damages.
Our Mobile construction accident lawyers evaluate all potential claims, including workers’ compensation claims, claims against your employer, and claims against other parties. By pursuing all available claims, you increase the chance that you receive the maximum compensation allowed by law.
You are not limited to one or the other. You can file a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party claim. However, the two claims could have elements that impact the other case. Let our lawyers review your claim and advise you of all options to ensure that you pursue all avenues of compensation for your injury claim.
What Are Third-Party Claims in Construction Accidents?
Third-party claims arise when a party other than your employer is responsible for your construction accident. This might include a contractor, an equipment manufacturer, or a property owner. Unlike workers’ compensation, which does not require proving fault, third-party claims are fault-based and require evidence of negligence. Successfully pursuing a third-party claim can result in compensation for damages such as pain and suffering, which are not covered under workers’ compensation. An attorney with experience in construction accident cases can identify potential third-party defendants and build a strong case on your behalf.
How Can a Lawyer Assist with Workers’ Compensation Claims?
Filing a workers’ compensation claim can be complicated and time sensitive. A lawyer can guide you through the process to ensure your claim is submitted correctly and on time, helping to avoid unnecessary delays or denials. They can assist in compiling the medical evidence needed to support your claim and represent you if your case is disputed or denied. Additionally, a lawyer can evaluate whether you may have a viable third-party claim, which could allow you to recover additional damages beyond the benefits provided by workers’ compensation.
What Are the Long-Term Implications of Construction Accident Injuries?
Injuries sustained in a construction accident can have lasting effects on your physical health, emotional well-being, and finances. Severe injuries may require prolonged medical treatment or result in permanent disabilities, limiting your ability to work and increasing financial strain. Emotional challenges, such as anxiety or depression, are also common after traumatic incidents. Understanding the full scope of your injuries is crucial for seeking compensation that addresses both current and future needs. A lawyer can work with medical and financial professionals to evaluate the long-term effects of your injuries and pursue fair compensation on your behalf.
What is the Statute of Limitations for a Construction Accident Claim?
In most cases, victims of construction accidents have two years from the date of the injury to file third-party claims and workers’ compensation claims. However, you should report your injury to your employer immediately.
In some cases, the deadline to file a claim could be shorter than the two-year deadline set by the statute of limitations. Claims against government entities are subject to shorter deadlines.
It is always best to talk to a construction lawyer in Mobile as soon as possible after an accident. Waiting too long to seek legal advice could result in losing some of your options for seeking compensation for injuries caused by a construction accident.
How Can Our Mobile Construction Accident Lawyer Help You?
Determining liability for a construction accident can be a complicated undertaking. Workers’ compensation covers most construction accidents. Some workers may receive more compensation from other sources.
Construction sites generally have many companies, contractors, and other parties working on the project. The compensation you receive from an employer for a construction accident may be limited. That may not be the case for claims against other parties.
Our Mobile personal injury lawyers handle workers’ compensation claims and third-party claims for construction workers. We investigate your accident to identify all factors that led to your injury on a construction site. Our lawyers pursue all legal avenues to ensure that you receive all the compensation you are entitled to receive by law.
How Do Construction Accident Lawyers Gather Evidence?
Collecting evidence is a vital part of preparing a strong case. Construction accident lawyers use several methods to gather the necessary information. They may visit the accident site, obtain safety records, and review any available surveillance footage. Witness interviews and consultations with professionals in fields like engineering or occupational safety are also common. Additionally, medical records and testimony from healthcare professionals can illustrate the severity of your injuries and their long-term effects. A comprehensive approach to evidence collection ensures a well-prepared case.
What Role Does Testimony Play in Construction Accident Cases?
Witnesses provide crucial insights and testimony that can strengthen your case. For instance, medical professionals can explain the extent of your injuries and their future impact. Safety specialists can evaluate whether the construction site adhered to proper safety standards. Engineers can investigate equipment malfunctions or structural issues that contributed to the accident. Economists can calculate financial losses, including lost wages and diminished earning capacity. This kind of input is often critical in building a convincing case and supporting your claims for compensation.
What Can You Expect When You Hire Lattof & Lattof, P.C., After a Construction Accident in Mobile?
Each case is unique. Our legal team develops a strategy for your case that gives you the best chance of success. However, all personal injury cases require specific actions to protect your legal rights and best interests.
Steps that we take in construction accident cases include, but are not limited to:
- We conduct a thorough, comprehensive investigation to find out why the accident occurred. We identify all liable parties and gather evidence proving fault and liability
- We work with you and your health care providers to document your injuries and losses to maximize your chance of recovery of compensation for all damages
- When necessary, we reach out to medical professionals, investigators, safety specialists, economists, engineers, and other professionals to obtain additional evidence and testimony
- Our lawyers work with your medical providers to ensure that you receive medical care by negotiating medical provider liens to be paid when your case is settled
- We file all insurance claims and negotiate with insurance companies and other parties to settle your claim
- We prepare and file a lawsuit against the parties responsible for your construction accident, if necessary
Throughout the entire case, we use our considerable resources and skills developed during our years of representing individuals injured in construction accidents.
Choosing a skilled legal team is essential for achieving a favorable outcome in your case. Lattof & Lattof, P.C., has extensive experience representing construction accident victims in Mobile, Alabama. Our attorneys are committed to providing personalized legal support and aggressive advocacy to secure the compensation you deserve. We understand the complexities of construction accident cases and are prepared to handle every aspect of your claim. Call us at 215-850-5528 to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can assist you.