What to Do If You Are Injured on a Construction Site
Construction sites are one of the most typical places for workplace accidents to occur. Between rusty nails and heavy machinery, they’re simply a dangerous place to work. We’ve all seen the “X Days Since Last Accident” signs, and for good reason. According to OSHA, 1 in 5 of the worker deaths in the past year were in the construction industry, and that doesn’t even begin to cover injuries. If you work in construction, it’s important to know what to do if you’re injured on a construction site and how a Gainesville workers’ comp attorney can help you.
Workers’ Compensation Rights
Because of the laws protecting workers’ compensation, injured workers are entitled to replacement of lost wages, compensation for medical bills, and coverage for any rehabilitation or therapy needs. The problem is that some companies may deny your claim or offer a settlement less than you deserve for various reasons. This is why it’s helpful to have a Gainesville workers’ comp lawyer that can fight for you when you’re dealing with your medical situation and recovery, as all workers’ compensation claims are different and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Hire an Attorney ASAP
Even though you’re guaranteed workers’ compensation through the law, it’s a very complex process and it’s important to hire legal counsel from the get-go to ensure you get the full settlement and coverage you require to deal with your injury and get back to your routine. If you’re an injured independent contractor, it may be even more difficult to make a claim, and the need for a legal ally is even greater.
Third Party Claims
There are times when you may be injured by a piece of defective equipment or due to the negligent oversight of a third party. If this is the case, you may be eligible for a personal injury claim in addition to a workers’ compensation claim. Your Gainesville workers’ comp attorney will evaluate your case and determine if this is an appropriate course of action to take.
Denied Claims
There are a number of reasons why your employer or their insurance may deny your claim. There is a time limit for filing with insurance companies and you or your company may have missed that window. Injuries that develop over time are also hard to prove and the insurer may deny for this reason. There may be undue suspicion that your injury is not work related or a lack of proof of medical treatment. If any of this occurs you’ll need to file an appeal.
The Appeal Process
Similar to filing a claim, there is a deadline for filing a workers’ compensation appeal. If you haven’t hired a workers’ compensation attorney yet, this would be a crucial time to do so. The complicated administrative process will usually begin with a hearing of your appeal where your legal counsel will advocate on your behalf and try to get the judge or arbiter to grant your appeal.
There are many things that can go wrong in the workers’ compensation claim process. Hiring a Gainesville workers’ comp lawyer with an intimate knowledge of the process and a willingness to go to court can help. If you need a Gainesville workers’ comp lawyer, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.