Accidents that occur on construction sites often lead to catastrophic injuries. No matter how severe the injuries are, taking the right steps can help the victim build a case and receive compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and more. To help build a case and make sure the settlement received is sufficient to cover all expenses, the injured person should do the following.
Get Medical Attention
It’s important to get medical attention quickly after an accident on a construction site. For severe injuries, emergency medical care may be needed. For all other injuries, waiting to receive medical care and taking the following steps first may be possible. If this is done, however, seeing a doctor as soon as possible is still important. If the victim waits too long, the negligent party could try to claim that the injuries happened elsewhere and there isn’t a valid claim for compensation.
Report The Incident
If possible, report the accident immediately to whoever is in charge of the construction site. They will need to record the accident and may need to note how the accident occurred, who was involved, and what injuries occurred. Avoid signing any paperwork at this time, as it’s all too easy to end up signing something that relieves the company of liability. While it may be possible to fight that in court, the process does add an extra obstacle to obtaining compensation.
Gather Evidence Of Accident
It’s a good idea to gather as much evidence as possible right after the accident. Some evidence will be cleaned up or erased shortly after the accident, so gathering it right away can be important. If there were any witnesses to the accident, get their contact information to provide to the lawyer handling the case. If the case goes to trial, the witness’s account of how the accident occurred may be an important part of the discovery process.
Take Photos
Take as many photos as possible of the accident scene, including close-up photos of damages as well as an overall view of the area. Make sure it’s easy to see what the weather was like at the time if that impacted the accident, and include any other details that show how the accident occurred. Back up any photos in the cloud, and send copies to the lawyer so they are preserved in case anything happens. It’s always a good idea to have multiple copies just in case.
Contact A Lawyer
Depending on the size of the construction firm, whether the accident happened while someone was working, and other details, the claim for compensation may be covered under discovery. However, this isn’t always the case, and even if it is, that doesn’t mean the victim will receive the full amount of money they may be owed. Instead, it’s always a good idea to consult a lawyer and learn more about the case before doing anything.
If you were injured at a construction site, you may be entitled to compensation for any injuries. After receiving medical attention and following the steps here, start working with a lawyer. They will be able to help you receive as much compensation as possible for the accident so you don’t have to pay any of the expenses on your own.
