Construction sites are dangerous places, and both workers and visitors alike can suffer an injury or even lose their lives due to a construction accident.
If you or someone you love was hurt on a construction site, you may be entitled to pursue a claim to recover compensation. However, the process of making a claim will vary depending on why you were at the construction site as well as the extent of your damage.
Diaco Law has represented clients after all types of construction accidents, including those that happened on the job as well as accidents involving casual visitors. We are here and ready to fight for you and get you the justice you deserve, so contact us today to get an experienced Tampa construction accident lawyer on your side.
How to Get Compensation After a Construction Accident
The process of getting compensation after a construction accident is going to be determined based on your role on the construction site.
If you were working at the time of the incident, you’ll need to pursue a workers’ compensation claim. You cannot sue your employer for on-the-job injuries. The good news is, you do not need to prove negligence in a workers’ comp claim. If your injuries were work-related, you are entitled to:
- Compensation for medical bills
- Payment for lost wages or for any reduction in your earning abilities due to your injuries
- Temporary or permanent total or partial disability benefits
- Wrongful death damages for those killed on construction sites
No compensation for pain and suffering is available from employers through workers’ comp claims, though. However, some workers may be able to pursue a civil lawsuit for personal injury damages — including for physical pain as well as emotional distress — if a third party was to blame. One example is when defective machinery on the construction site caused the injury.
Visitors, on the other hand, will always be able to pursue a personal injury claim if they can prove the construction company or property owner caused their harm through negligence or the violation of a safety rule.
Common Types of Construction Site Accidents
Many types of construction accidents can occur, but there are four specific incidents that are especially common. Dubbed the “fatal four” because these incidents are so often the cause of deadly construction accidents, the most common causes of harm include:
- Falls
- Being struck by something
- Electrocutions
- Becoming caught between objects
These types of incidents can occur due to negligence, such as when live wires are not properly secured or the correct fall protection equipment is not used. However, there is no need to prove carelessness to make a successful workers’ comp claim.
What Can a Tampa Construction Accident Lawyer Do For You?
A Tampa construction accident lawyer at Diaco Law can help you determine if your claim falls under workers’ compensation or personal injury laws. Our firm can represent clients in both situations, and we can develop the right legal arguments to maximize the chances of compensation with either type of claim.
To find out more about how our firm can assist you throughout the construction accident claims process, give us a call at (813) 221-7978 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation.