Construction work is highly dangerous by nature. Inherent risks such as heavy machinery and equipment, power tools, and working from heights can lead to life-threatening construction site accidents. If you get involved in a construction site accident as a worker, it is necessary to take certain steps to protect your rights while you file a claim. After suffering a serious injury, working with an experienced construction accident attorney in Pittsburgh is important to get started.
Get Professional Medical Care
Put your health and safety first after a construction site accident by getting immediate medical attention. In an emergency, call for an ambulance while still at the construction site. Otherwise, go to the nearest hospital for medical care without delay. Even if you do not initially feel pain or notice the symptoms of an injury, your adrenaline could be acting as a painkiller. You should still see a doctor for a prompt injury diagnosis.
If you were working at the time of the accident, you may need to seek medical treatment from a physician who is on your employer’s designated health care provider list to qualify for workers’ compensation. Workers’ comp is a no-fault insurance system that allows injured construction workers to seek financial benefits for their medical bills and lost wages without having to prove negligence. Our Pittsburgh workers’ compensation attorneys recommend to not wait to seek medical care or go to the wrong provider because it can hurt your ability to receive workers’ compensation.
Report Your Construction Site Accident
Notify your employer of your construction site accident and any injuries as soon as possible after you have addressed any immediate health concerns. If you are considering filing a workers’ compensation claim for your injury, you are legally required to notify your employer of your intent to file a claim no more than 120 days from the date of your injury. If you skip this step, the construction company can reject your claim, meaning you will no longer be eligible for financial compensation. If your employer or a supervisor writes up an accident report after you notify them of your injury, request a copy.
Gather Details About the Construction Accident
If you plan to pursue financial compensation for a construction site accident that causes an injury or the death of a loved one, start collecting information and documentation early on. Collecting evidence yourself can help preserve key facts about the accident even before you hire an attorney. If you can, gather the following types of information:
- Copies of police reports and accident reports.
- Witness names and contact information.
- Photographs of the scene of your construction site accident.
- The clothes, shoes and helmet you were wearing.
- Copies of your medical records and hospital bills.
- Employment documents.
- A copy of any insurance claim filed and insurance correspondence.
- Correspondence with your employer.
If you suffered a serious injury, keep an injury journal where you document how you are feeling day by day. An injury journal can help a jury understand the pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life that you suffered in the aftermath of a serious construction site accident.
Contact a Construction Site Accident Attorney
Workers’ compensation is not the only option that may be available to you as an injured construction worker. Reaching out to a Pittsburgh personal injury attorney can help you determine if you also have grounds to file a personal injury claim against the negligent party, such as your employer, a coworker, a contractor or an equipment manufacturer. Before you accept a workers’ compensation settlement or sign anything, contact an experienced construction site accident attorney in Pittsburgh for a free case consultation.
An attorney can review your case for signs of negligence or the failure to use reasonable care. If it is discovered that one or more parties reasonably could have prevented your construction accident, your attorney can help you file a claim by Pennsylvania’s deadline. You must contact an attorney within two years of your accident to avoid missing your statute of limitations. A construction site accident attorney can assist you with each step of the recovery process after a traumatic construction site accident.