Construction work is a high-risk job. If you were injured at work, you might be wondering if you can return to work after and what you should be doing after incurring an injury. Here’s everything that you need to know and how a construction accident lawyer can help you.
Ask a Construction Accident Lawyer: Can I Keep my Job?
Being injured at work is a scary thing, especially if it’s led to some long-lasting injuries. You may be wondering what next steps you can take if you’ve been hurt at work. You may also be wondering whether or not you’ll get to keep your job.
In many cases, it’s entirely possible for employees to go back to work after an injury. You should still be able to go back to your job if you are fit to continue working. If you are not fit to keep working your job, then your lawyer can direct you towards the support you need to find a new job.
What to Do After a Construction Accident
Get Medical Attention
The first thing you need to do after experiencing an accident at a construction site is to get the medical attention that you may need for your injuries.
Even if you don’t notice any injuries right away, you should still seek help. You might have some hidden injuries that could affect you greatly down the line. Make sure you also get documentation from your doctor that shows the medical tests and treatment you received.
Report Your Accident
Some people may be afraid to report their workplace injuries and accidents because they fear that they may be retaliated against. It is illegal for employers to perform this type of retaliation in the workplace. You should report your accident right away to your supervisor. This will ensure you have documentation of the accident, and it could help prevent future accidents by indicating unsafe practices.
When you report your accident, your employer may offer you a settlement. You should be careful about accepting anything right off the bat, as insurance companies may aim to lowball you and pay you as little as possible.
Hire a Lawyer
Another thing that you’ll want to do as soon as possible after your accident is to hire a qualified lawyer. As someone without the right training, there are several mistakes that you could make that might result in you not getting a fair settlement for your accident.
When you hire a qualified construction accident lawyer in Houston, they will work hard to make sure that your rights are protected every step of the way and that you get fair compensation for your accident. You should listen carefully to any advice your lawyer gives you to ensure that you get the best results from your case.
Gather Evidence
You are going to need to prove several things to the court when seeking out a settlement after a construction accident. First, you’re going to need to prove that you were injured in the first place. You are also going to need to prove that the injuries were caused by negligence or carelessness in your workplace.
Pieces of evidence you can use to support your case include photos and videos of the scene, as well as medical documentation outlining the severity of your injuries and what treatments you have received.
Ask Witnesses
Was anyone else around when your accident took place? Physical evidence like photos can do a lot to help support your case. But this isn’t the only type of evidence that you should be gathering for your case. Witness testimony can be of great help to you, and you should speak to anyone who may have seen your accident.
Gather the contact information of these witnesses so that you and your lawyer can contact them for statements later. It’s important not to pressure these witnesses into providing details. Your lawyer can contact them for you to get the information you need.
Seek Workers’ Compensation
If you cannot work because of your injury, you might be wondering what you can do about your financial situation. Workers’ compensation can offer you the support you need while you are healing until you can go back to work.
You might be eligible for workers’ compensation if your employer is enrolled in the program and if you received your injury at work or in an accident related to work. Your injury must also not be the result of misconduct on your end or of impairment caused by drugs or alcohol.
Getting injured at work is a scary thing. You might be eligible to receive compensation for what you’ve been through. Make sure you know what to do after receiving an injury at work. Your lawyer will provide you with the support you need and help you get a fair settlement.
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