Construction accidents result in some of the most devastating injuries that can leave victims with significant physical trauma as well as financial burdens. If you have been involved in a construction accident, what you do next can be crucial for your health and potentially, your financial future. However, there are also specific things you should not do after a construction accident in the interest of protecting your rights and your ability to seek compensation for your losses.
1. Do not downplay your injuries.
After an accident, you may feel pressured to ignore or tolerate pain in order to return to work. Never downplay your injuries if you have been injured in a construction accident. Even injuries that initially seem relatively minor can turn into serious, chronic conditions if not properly treated. For example, a back twinge can prove to be a herniated disc. A concussion, if ignored, could lead to long-term effects including cognitive issues. If you’ve suffered a construction accident injury, it is important to insist on a thorough medical examination and follow up with your doctor as needed.
2. Do not return to work prematurely.
Construction work is physically demanding. Returning to work too soon after an injury can have devastating consequences for your recovery. However, employers and insurance companies may encourage or even pressure you to come back before you have fully recovered or healed, sometimes by suggesting “light duty” roles or part-time work.
While wanting to get back to work and earning a paycheck is understandable, returning too soon comes with the risk of injuring yourself again or worsening your condition, potentially leading to permanent disability. Do not return to work until a trusted medical professional — someone who has your best interests at heart — clears you for duty. Follow your doctor’s recommendations strictly, and don’t let financial worries or pressure from your employer rush your return to work.
3. Do not settle quickly without understanding the full scope of your injuries.
After a construction accident, you may be offered a quick settlement. It might seem like an attractive way to cover immediate medical bills and lost wages, but early settlement offers are almost always far lower than what your claim may actually be worth. Construction injuries can have long-term consequences including ongoing medical treatment, physical therapy, rehabilitation and even permanent disability. Settling quickly means you could be signing away your rights to future compensation for these costs.
Do not accept any settlement offer until you fully understand the extent of your injuries, your future medical needs and how the injury may affect your ability to work and live. It would be in your best interest to consult with an experienced New York construction accident lawyer who can accurately assess the true value of your claim and negotiate for a fair settlement.
4. Do not handle everything alone.
Construction accident cases can be complicated. There may be multiple parties involved including employers, property owners/managers, contractors, subcontractors, equipment manufacturers, etc. You may also be looking at different types of legal actions such as workers’ compensation claims, personal injury lawsuits or even third-party claims. Trying to manage your case without the help of an injury lawyer can easily lead to costly mistakes, missed deadlines or giving up compensation you rightfully deserve.
If You Have Been Injured
Injured workers in New York City may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, regardless of who was at fault for the construction accident. Workers’ compensation provides medical treatment, some wage replacement, and other benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. In addition, workers may also be able to file a third-party claim against a negligent (careless) party other than the employer or co-employees for significant monetary damages and have two sources of compensation available for their losses.
Examples of third parties include, but are not limited to, general contractors, construction companies, sub-contractors, building owners, managing agents etc. In cases where a worker dies from injuries suffered on the job, surviving family members may seek death benefits through workers’ compensation and/or file a wrongful death claim against a third party who may be held liable for the fatal incident.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of hazards at a construction site, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you. For over 53 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses.
Our law firm recovered $3,375,576 for a construction worker (an undocumented immigrant) who was injured on the job — one of the highest construction case settlements in New York that year. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com