Macon Construction Accident Lawyer
Construction is all around us. Incredibly important to the country and the economy, construction can also be incredibly dangerous.
For example, the private construction industry alone saw 937 fatalities in 2015 and several construction-related jobs (including carpenters, electricians, construction laborers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters) reported their highest fatality total in years. While the average fatal injury rate clocked in at 3.4, the construction industry’s rate of occupational fatalities was a whopping 10.1. Of course, not all accidents end in death. From broken bones to TBIs, muscle strains to amputations, construction workers are being hurt on the job – and workers’ compensation does not always apply.
To ensure that all of the crucial details are discovered and investigated, the case should be evaluated by an attorney. With over 50 years of experience, the GA construction site accident attorneys at the Mann Law Firm provide skilled representation to examine the circumstances, make sure all proper worker’s compensation benefits are received, and pursue any possible claims against negligent third parties. For advice on how to proceed next, please call us at (478) 742-3381 or fill out our form today to schedule your initial consultation. Whether commercial or residential, construction job sites are typically hectic places replete with uneven ground, ever-changing surroundings, heavy equipment, scaffolding, and other dangerous situations. Nevertheless, there are rules and regulations that must be followed, a great many of which are set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Common construction site risks include:
Defective machinery- Demolition
- Electrocution
- Exposure to chemicals, hazardous particles
- Falls
- Fires
- Improper or insufficient training
- Noncompliance with OSHA rules
- Repetitive motion tasks
- Trenching/excavation cave-ins.
As with any on-the-job injury, the best way to protect your rights is to act quickly. Report and document your injury with your employer, but don’t speak with an insurance company or sign any insurance papers until you have consulted with an experienced construction worker accident attorney. Some injuries and illnesses must be recorded by certain employers, and the information is used to “evaluate the safety of a workplace, understand industry hazards, and implement worker protections to reduce and eliminate hazards.” OSHA also requires that worker fatalities be reported within 8 hours and any amputation, loss of an eye, or hospitalization of a worker be reported within 24 hours. These record keeping and reporting requirements have revealed that falls are the single most common construction site accident, averaging around 40 percent of the total. Despite the substantial number of fatalities and serious injuries due to falls, the lack of proper fall protection is the single most cited violation by OSHA inspectors. Being struck by an object or piece of equipment happens about 10 percent of the time, while electrocutions account for 8.6 percent. Getting a body part caught in or between construction objects or equipment occurs in approximately 7.2 percent of the cases.
Some construction jobsite accidents are covered by worker’s compensation, which is a system that allows an injured employee to receive certain benefits in exchange for giving up the right to sue the employer. However, the worker is not prevented from seeking damages from other entities that bear responsibility. These claims allow recovery of compensation for pain and suffering, disability, and loss of income potential, and can supplement worker’s compensation benefits. In construction worker injury claims, commonly liable third-parties include:
Architects- Contractors and subcontractors
- Electricians
- Engineers
- Equipment manufacturers
- Insurance companies
- Owners
- Scaffolding companies.
Contact Us
Depending on the circumstances of your construction-related injury, you may have a legal cause of action. If you received a serious work injury on a construction site and are trying to put your life back together, it is important to contact a GA construction worker injury attorney. Here at the Mann Law Firm, we can help by reviewing the circumstances, outlining all available options, and guiding you through the legal system. We can assist you in determining whether you have a valid claim; if you do, we pledge to work closely with you every step of the way. Our office in Macon serves all of Middle Georgia, including Dublin, Warner Robins and Milledgeville. We know how the Georgia legal system operates and can help you get the maximum amount of recovery. We would like to meet with you to discuss your case and are proud to offer free initial consultations. Please call us at (478) 742-3381 or fill out our form today. There are strict time limitations on how long you have to seek compensation, so don’t delay.