Some of the common types of construction accidents caused by faulty equipment are falls from heights, electrocutions, and caught-in-between accidents. What’s more, the common injuries as a result of this kind of accident are neck & back injuries, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), facial trauma & eye injuries, severe burns, amputations, and broken bones, among others.
Well, the following are what you should do if you get involved in a construction accident due to faulty equipment.
Remedies to Consider After a Construction Accident as a Result of Faulty Equipment
There are a couple of remedies to consider in the unfortunate event that you get involved in an accident caused by faulty equipment. Well, these remedies are a personal injury lawsuit and a workers’ compensation claim.
- Personal Injury Lawsuit
You should contact a personal injury lawyer to file a personal injury lawsuit if a person or an organization harms you. According to the laws of the land, people or organizations that harm others are considered negligent. With that said, a negligent party will owe you restitution, which often is issued in the form of financial payment to cater for the damages the harm has led to.
- Workers’ Compensation Claim
Under a worker’s compensation claim, there is a workers’ compensation system that provides a clear path through which employees can obtain benefits if they have been harmed while at work. It is important to note that these benefits should be issued without looking into who was at fault.
To get compensation either through a personal injury lawsuit or a workers’ compensation claim, it is imperative that you seek the services of an experienced construction accident lawyer. The lawyer will not just figure out the available legal options but also will prepare the strongest legal case that puts you in a good position to get maximum compensation.
Protecting Your Legal Rights After a Construction Accident Caused by Faulty Equipment
The actions you take following an accident as a result of faulty equipment will not just keep you safe; also, they can play a key role in protecting your legal rights. That being said, the following are what you should do after a construction accident.
- Seek Medical Attention
Your health should be your priority after you get involved in a construction accident. This means that, even if your injuries seem minor, make sure you get medical attention following the accident. Aside from keeping you safe, seeking medical help will ensure you have a massive chance of securing the much-needed compensation once you have filed a workers’ compensation claim.
- Let Your Employer Know About the Incident
States always have specific guidelines which require workers or employees to report any work-related accidents within a particular time. As such, you should let your employer know about the incident as soon as possible. In an ideal scenario, you should do this after you are from a healthcare facility.
Moreover, reporting the incident to your employer has the following benefits:
- Helps speed up a workers’ claim compensation
- Helps make your claim appear more valid before the court, insurer, and, of course, employer
- Prevents the same accident from reoccurring; hence, making worksites safer
You should note that, when reporting, ensure you keep everything in writing. After that, be keen to remain with a copy. That is because the report you make can turn into an invaluable piece of evidence if a dispute arises. Also, try to give as much detail as possible for unrivaled accuracy.
Other actions to take to protect your legal rights after an accident caused by faulty equipment include gathering evidence after the accident and keeping employer correspondence.
In Summary
A personal injury lawsuit and a workers’ compensation claim are some of the remedies to consider after a construction accident due to faulty equipment. It is always wise to seek the help of a skilled legal team. That is because a construction accident attorney knows what to say and do so you can get the compensation you deserve.