Working in construction is a dangerous job. If you’re a roofer, you face the possibility of falling and suffering a serious injury or death. You could be burned by hot asphalt or suffer electrocution. If you work with heavy machinery on the job, that machinery could malfunction and injure you. Or falling debris could hit you if you are working on a remodeling project.
Workers’ comp basics
If you suffer an injury on the job as a construction worker, you are eligible for workers’ compensation. You need to report your injury to your employer immediately and seek medical attention. You will need a doctor to document your injury and if you are unable to work for your workers’ compensation claim.
Have a workers’ comp and a personal injury claim?
You also may have a third-party injury claim. If defective equipment injured you, you could have a personal injury claim against the equipment’s manufacturer. If you suffered an injury in a vehicle accident on a worksite, you could have a personal injury claim against the driver of the other vehicle. You also may have a personal injury claim if someone’s negligence caused you to suffer a workplace injury. For example, you are a subcontractor performing window installation on a multistory office building. However, the general contractor didn’t set up the scaffolding correctly and you fall and break your leg and ankle. You could sue the general contractor for the injury you suffered.
You need to consult an attorney if you believe you have a third-party personal injury claim after a workplace accident or if you have problems collecting your workers’ compensation benefits. You need to protect your rights and not have to worry about how to pay your bills as you recover from a workplace injury.