Kent construction accident lawyer
As you drive around Kent, which is the sixth-largest city in our state and one that’s growing, you’ll notice a lot of ongoing construction projects. As wonderful as construction is, signaling a robust economy, people at work, and the opportunity for growth and development, and as advanced as construction technology has become over the years, construction is still dangerous. Indeed, for workers and passersby alike, the risk of a construction accident and suffering related injuries is very real. At the law offices of the Khan Injury Law PLLC, our Kent construction accident lawyers can help if you’ve been involved in a construction accident. Reach out to our team today to learn how.
Common Types of Construction Accidents
Construction sites are one of the leading causes of workplace injuries. Of all of the construction injuries and accidents that occur, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified the four most fatal. These are falls from heights, electrocution injuries, caught-in/between machinery accidents, and struck by object injuries. However, these are by no means the only types of construction accidents that are possible or that cause workers injury in Kent. Other types of construction accidents include:
- Slip and fall accidents;
- Crane or hoist accidents;
- Forklift accidents;
- Trench accidents;
- Motor vehicle accidents;
- Exposure to hazardous materials incidents;
- Fires and explosions;
- Repetitive stress injuries; and
And construction accidents don’t just affect construction workers; passersby who are victims of falling objects or other hazards may also be at risk of suffering harm.
Injuries from a Construction Site Accident
Construction sites are characterized by heavy equipment, large pieces of machinery, and specialized–and dangerous–tools. These can all be the cause of serious accidents that leave the involved parties with severe injuries. Injuries that a construction worker is at risk of incurring include:
- Traumatic brain injuries;
- Internal injuries;
- Amputation injuries;
- Electrocution injuries;
- Bone fractures;
- Repetitive stress injuries;
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Severe laceration injuries;
- Crush injuries; and
In addition to the above, psychological injuries following a serious physical injury are also common. Further, a worker may be at risk of occupational disease and exposure injuries, including hearing loss, chemical burns, and the development of certain conditions, such as cancer.
Losses Associated with a Kent Construction Site Injury
Whether as a worker or someone who was merely passing by a construction site and suffered harm as a result of a hazard, such as a falling object, suffering a serious injury can be costly. Indeed, one of the injury types above can result in high medical bills, lost wages, long-term disability, and pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Sometimes, an affected person will be unable to work for the remainder of their life, representing hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost income.
At the law offices of the Khan Injury Law PLLC, we know how devastating suffering a serious injury and facing the above losses can be. We are here to help you recover the compensation award you deserve and move forward with your life.
Compensation Available Following a Workplace Injury
If you are injured at work, you maintain the right to file a claim for workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation insurance provides compensation for the value of an injured worker’s necessary and reasonable medical expenses, partial or permanent disability benefits (wage replacement benefits), and even vocational training after a workplace injury. However, workers’ compensation insurance does not all for full recovery of damages–for example, workers are only entitled to a portion of their lost wages, not the full value of lost wages–and workers are barred from seeking compensation for noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering. What’s more, injured workers are prohibited from filing a lawsuit directly against their employer for damages; instead, they must pursue damages through the workers’ compensation system, as employers are protected from liability.
While workers’ compensation only provides some compensation, and may not be the best option for those who have been severely injured as a result of a construction site accident, there is another option: a third-party liability claim. A third-party liability claim is a type of personal injury claim that is brought against a third party–someone other than the employee’s employer–whose negligence caused the accident. Examples of third parties who may be held liable include the driver of a motor vehicle involved in a roadside construction site accident, the manufacturer of a defective piece of equipment, or the owner of a site where construction was occurring and a dangerous hazard existed that wasn’t disclosed or remedied, such as asbestos. If you are pursuing a third-party suit, you maintain the right to seek compensation for the full value of your losses, just as you would if filing a standard personal injury claim.
For those who have been injured at a construction site and who have no employment status, and therefore no right to workers’ compensation insurance and no bar to filing a lawsuit directly against the construction company, pursuing a standard third-party liability claim, if appropriate, is recommended.
How Our Construction Site Accident Attorneys Can Help
Being involved in a construction site accident can be shocking and devastating. If you’ve been harmed, our construction site accident attorneys can help by explaining your rights, helping you to understand the differences between workers’ compensation and third-party liability claims, building your case, collecting evidence, handling your claim documents, representing you in conversations with the insurance adjuster, and more. If litigation is necessary, our law firm has trial experience and will proudly advocate for your best interests.
Call Our Law Firm Today for a Free Consultation
We know that being injured can be scary. We want to help. If you’ve been harmed, reach out to our Kent construction site accident lawyers for a free consultation and an overview of what to do next. We work on a contingency fee basis and are here to assist you.