When a construction accident injures you, your physical wellbeing and ability to work are at risk. You deserve compensation for your injuries, and a Los Angeles construction accident attorney can get it for you.
The risk for serious injury on the job is a reality construction workers face every time they enter a site. Following a construction accident, you assume your medical bills and lost work time, among other expenses, will be paid for by your employer’s workers compensation insurance.
While workers comp does cover expenses for some injured workers, it will not pay for many expenses victims often incur. In actuality, the coverage is often quite narrow.
Some types of accidents will be eligible for workers comp, but you may have been injured as a result of circumstances that would void coverage by your employer’s policy, or you may otherwise be eligible to pursue personal injury compensation.
You may be able to file a personal injury claim against the parties who are at fault for your injury. Winning compensation of this kind allows coverage of all your damages. Working with a Los Angeles construction accident lawyer at Haffner Law will help you receive a comprehensive settlement to cover your losses. We’re ready to build your case.
When Can a Personal Injury Claim Be Filed?
Workers comp will often cover medical expenses and a percentage of your lost wages, but what happens when your doctor orders a test or procedure the insurer doesn’t deem necessary? That part of your claim is denied, and you have to pay for it out of pocket.
Working with a Los Angeles construction injury lawyer to file a personal injury claim will allow you to recover all of your medical expenses without worrying about which tests or surgeries will be covered and which ones will not. Filing a civil suit, however, requires that your accident circumstances meet particular criteria.
Your lawyer will investigate to see whether your situation meets any of the following requirements:
- You were hurt by a defective product or fell ill after exposure to a toxic substance.
- Your employer does not carry workers compensation insurance.
- You were injured because of your employer’s deliberate negligence or malice.
- You experienced harm because of the actions of a third party.
While workers comp can afford you some benefits, you should know you have a right to file a personal injury claim if your construction injury circumstances meet any of the above criteria.
Determining Fault for a Los Angeles Construction Accident
Before you can file a personal injury claim, you and your Los Angeles construction accident injury attorney must investigate. You must prove that you were injured intentionally or that a third party was responsible.
For example, if your injury resulted from a fall off of scaffolding, the cause of your fall will determine whether your compensation comes from your employer’s policy or a personal injury claim. If your attorney discovers that the body belt and harness you were wearing were defective and these products ultimately caused your fall, you may have a product liability case against the manufacturer.
The following are just a few of the potential ways you could experience injury on the jobsite:
- Building or room collapses
- Fires or explosions
- Electrocutions
- Falls from ladders or other heights
- Toxic substance and chemical exposure
- Safety equipment failure
- Falling objects, tools, or building materials
- Heavy machinery accidents with forklifts, cranes, or other equipment
Compensation After a Construction Accident
Establishing cause and fault are some of the first steps in building your Los Angeles construction injury claim. Next, you should work with your lawyer to assess the full value of your case before accepting any payment from an insurance company or other at-fault party.
The type and extent of your injuries will dictate what kind of medical care you will need, how long you will be out of work, and how exactly your life will change going forward.
You deserve compensation for your injuries and the mental and emotional anguish you’ve suffered after your injury. Your lawyer will make sure you recover the true value of all your losses.
Connect with a Los Angeles Construction Injury Lawyer
If you’ve suffered an injury at a construction site, you have a right to hold the negligent party accountable. Haffner Law knows personal injury law and has experience handling construction accident cases.
To schedule a free consultation with a Los Angeles construction accident lawyer, call us at 213-514-5681 or fill out the online contact form at the bottom of the page.