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Construction accidents caused one out of every five worker deaths in 2016, plus many other injuries to both construction workers and the general public. If you have been involved in a construction accident in Columbus, you may be facing serious injuries that threaten your ability to ever work again. You may have a long recovery road ahead of you, with numerous procedures, medical appointments and physical therapy. All of this costs money, and you may wonder how you’re going to pay for your injuries and keep a roof over your head. A Columbus construction accident lawyer can help.
John Foy & Associates is well-known as one of the top construction accident law firms in the state. In our 20-year history, we have helped many people who have been hurt in construction accidents get a full financial recovery for their injuries. We know how to handle the most complicated claims, and we never charge you a fee unless we recover money for you. Let us give you a free consultation. Call us at 404-400-4000 and get your free consultation today.
What are the major causes of construction accidents in Columbus?
OSHA, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, has compiled a list of its “fatal four,” the types of construction accidents that are most likely to lead to a worker’s death. They are:
- Falls, including falls through floor openings and off of ladders and scaffolding
- Being struck by an object
- Being caught in or between something, including becoming caught in equipment or crushed when a structure or something else collapses
- Electrocution, including electrocution from power lines, underground utility lines or power tools
But construction accidents can happen in other ways too, and the construction workers are not the only people who may be injured around a construction site. For example, passersby can be injured by falling debris or hazards along the ground. People who live in the area may be affected by toxic chemicals.
Are construction accidents covered by workers compensation?
If you are a construction worker and you were injured on the job – or if a loved one lost their life while working – you can most likely recover money in a workers compensation claim. The workers compensation system requires employers to buy insurance to cover an injured worker’s medical expenses and provide a paycheck for the time the worker is unable to work because of the accident.
Unlike a claim in the local courts, a workers compensation claim doesn’t require you to prove how the accident happened or who caused it. All you need is an injury that occurred while you were on the job – it doesn’t even have to be related to your usual work duties.
What if someone other than my employer is to blame for my accident?
Construction sites in the City of Columbus are busy places and there are a lot of people and businesses that play a part in making things happen. There’s a general contractor and subcontractors. Equipment may be leased from or maintained by a third party. There are engineers, safety consultants and the person who owns the property. Depending on the situation, ANY of these people might potentially have had a hand in causing your accident.
If a third party who is not your employer caused your accident, you can bring what is known as a “third party liability claim.” Unlike workers compensation, which is limited to your costs, a third party liability claim can include a claim for “pain and suffering,” mental distress, and other types of severe, non-financial ways the accident has impacted your life.
What if I am not a construction worker?
It’s sadly not uncommon for non-workers to be injured while passing near a construction site, or visiting on-site.
All property owners have a duty to keep their property in a safe condition for people who use it or visit. Construction companies also have a duty to safeguard the general public. This means that most construction sites should have some safety protections in place, such as fencing or warning signs. When safety precautions are inadequate and you are injured, the property owner, contractor or others can be held liable.
As a member of the public, you can recover 100 percent of the cost of the accident, including both your medical expensed and lost pay AND your pain and suffering damages.
Do I need a lawyer for a construction accident claim?
Because of the number of parties potentially involved and the severity of the injuries, we recommend that you always work with a lawyer if you have been injured in a construction accident. There are a couple of reasons for this.
First, even if you just have a “simple” workers comp claim, the workers compensation insurance companies are not as willing to pay as you might expect. They will try just about anything to lower the amount they have to pay you, including blaming you, accusing you of exaggerating how badly hurt you are, or even saying that your injury was caused by something else. Without a lawyer fighting for you, you can easily end up with far less.
Second, third party liability claims are very complicated. At our law firm, we approach them by launching an investigation to find out how your accident happened and who all the parties are who might potentially be responsible. We may bring in experts like accident reconstructionists and economists who can predict how much you may lose in earnings in the future. We put everything together, creating the strongest case possible. And then we go to the insurance companies or the local courts and do everything in our power to get you every penny you deserve.
Talk to a Columbus Construction Accident Lawyer
At John Foy & Associates, our track record over the past two decades shows why you can trust us with your construction accident claim. Let us put our “Strong Arm” approach to work for you. Let us give you a free consultation to talk about your claim and explain your options. Call us at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.
