Utah Construction Accident Lawyer
If you have recently been injured in a construction accident, you may be wondering what to do next. Some troubling questions a Utah construction accident lawyer can answer for you include:
- How am I going to pay for my medical expenses?
- How will I pay my bills if I can’t work?
- What if workers’ compensation doesn’t cover my costs?
- Can I also file a personal injury claim? How and when should I do it?
- Why should I talk to a Utah construction accident lawyer?
If you are in this situation, don’t worry. You are in the right place. Every Utah construction accident lawyer here at Christensen & Hymas is experienced in handling a variety of construction injury cases. On a daily basis, we see firsthand how severe accidents and injuries can devastate real people’s lives, and we want to help you receive the compensation you deserve and need to make a full, stress-free recovery.
Construction work is extremely dangerous. Though precautions are taken, safety on a job site is never a 100% guarantee. Utah construction accidents occur all too frequently, and unfortunately they are often very severe and even deadly. Such accidents can result in loss of wages, physical mobility, and can threaten families and futures. Workers’ compensation benefits are generally available to victims, but in cases where a third party is involved it may be reduced or even withheld. These benefits may also be insufficient to cover medical costs and other expenses.
If you have been injured in a Utah construction accident, you may have a case for personal injury compensation. This information will help you figure out where to start.
Can I File a Workers’ Comp Claim and a Personal Injury Claim?
Many Utah construction workers don’t realize that when they are injured while working, workers’ compensation is not their only option. This may be the case when your injuries are the fault of your employer. However, most Utah construction accidents (and construction accidents in general) come as a result of negligent:
- General contractors
- Subcontractors
- Vendors
- Other employees not affiliated with the company.
Though workers’ compensation benefits are certainly available after construction injuries, they may not be enough to cover the damages sustained. In addition, the statute of limitations to file and complete a workers comp claim is only one year. This often leads to hasty settlements and reduced benefits.
Utah workers’ compensation claims can be very complicated, but they are not your only option. If you have been injured in a Utah construction accident where a third party contractor is at fault, we highly recommend you speak with an experienced Utah construction accident lawyer. Testing your eligiblity for a personal injury claim may provide you with much needed extra funds to cover:
- Current and future medical expenses
- This includes appointments, tests and procedures, surgeries, medication, recovery equipment, physical therapy, etc.
- Loss of wages.
- Pain and suffering
- Other potential expenses
Workers’ compensation can certainly help, but it may not be enough. A personal injury claim can help make up for the rest. For more information on Utah workers’ compensation, click here.
Common Utah Construction Accidents
As I stated before, construction sites are extremely dangerous and present numerous hazards. Unfortunately, these hazards can lead to catastrophic, debilitating injuries that may include reconstructive surgery, amputation, brain injuries, and even death.
- Large vehicles
- Large trucks, bulldozers, backhoes, and forklifts are standard equipment on most construction sites. When operated by a potentially inexperienced driver and carrying immensely heavy objects, the results of an accident can be catastrophic. If the driver is under-qualified and employed by a third party contractor or subcontractor, you may have a case.
- Falls from tall heights
- When working on large structures, Utah construction workers, painters, and other laborers make daily use of platforms, ladders, scaffolds, lifts, and many other pieces of equipment that require them to work at tall heights. A slight malfunction of these pieces of equipment can cause a long fall, and result in immobilizing injuries and even death.
- Flammable and Explosive Materials
- For many construction projects, the hired contractor or subcontractor is responsible for the safety of the site. This includes all materials and equipment. Included in this category are gas lines, flammable building material, gasoline, and other fire-sensitive objects. These ignite easily, and the results can be catastrophic. You likely have a case in this situation because the owner of the site is legally responsible for keeping these items protected and safely stored.
- Heavy objects
- Many Utah construction accidents occur because of worker interaction with extremely heavy objects. Whether these are tools, bricks, debris, or other heavy building materials and equipment, when they fall on or trap workers, severe injuries can occur. These include but are not limited to serious head, neck, brain, back, or lower body injuries that can be debilitating.
- Electrical Systems and wiring
- Every home or office building requires complex electrical systems, creating the possibility for stray wires or faulty electricity to harm unsuspecting workers. If not handled properly, these electrical errors can result in electrocution, severe burns, and even death.
- Other potential Utah construction accidents include:
- Slip and Fall accidents
- Collapses
- Reckless vehicles driving through construction zones
- Long term complications from:
- Extremely loud noise, asbestos, respiratory diseases, mesothelioma
These are some of the more common accidents seen on job sites. If you are injured in such a situation, it may be due to a negligent contractor or your employer’s failure to follow OSHA regulations. If this is the case, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim.
When Should I File a Claim?
The window to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits after an accident is extremely short. You only have 1 year to do so. That being said, you should report your injury to your employer immediately following an accident so a claim can be started.
However, workers’ compensation for an injury may not be your only option. If are injured in a Utah construction accident where a third party is at fault, you likely also have grounds to file a personal injury claim. This may help you receive additional compensation to pay for expensive medical costs. If you are in this situation, you should consider taking the following steps.
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Report the incident and injury to your employer as soon as possible. Begin filing a workers’ compensation claim.
- Submit your worker’s report of injury to the Utah Occupational Safety and Health Commission for review.
- Contact an experienced Utah construction accident lawyer to review your case and potentially file a personal injury claim to receive additional compensation for your injuries.
Contact a Utah Construction Accident Lawyer Today
At Christensen & Hymas, we recognize the danger present on construction sites and the potentially devastating accidents that often follow. We understand that after an injury you may not know what to do, and realize that you are a hardworking, honest person who only wants what is fair to help you recover from your injuries.
Though workers’ compensation benefits are available to you, they may not be enough to cover your expenses (depending on the severity of the injury). We also know that many employers and insurance companies will deny responsibility and refuse to compensate you. Because of this, we want to help you get a maximum settlement that will help you recover and feel financially secure.
If you have serious injuries from a construction accident where the employer or a third party contractor was at fault, do not hesitate to contact an experienced, dedicated Utah construction accident lawyer at Christensen & Hymas. Allow us to handle your case while you focus on recovery.
Images courtesy of Christensen & Hymas.