Atlanta Construction Accident Lawyers

Will Workers’ Compensation Cover All of My Construction Accident Losses?

Despite Georgia workers’ compensation laws providing injured construction workers with the ability to pursue compensation to recover lost wages and money spent on medical bills, there are times when it may not be enough. State law also has time caps on how long you can receive indemnity benefits. Even if you are catastrophically injured, the current limits on how much you can receive if permanently disabled may be insufficient for your needs.

For construction accident victims hurt by defective heavy equipment or other third-party contributors, you may have to consider bringing a personal injury claim against them, as well. Just like your workers’ comp claim, you will need to provide evidence to the insurer of any third-party you believe is liable for the harm that came to you. This area of law has different deadlines and rules to follow.

If you are in this position, it’s highly recommended you work with an experienced DeKalb County attorney who has extensive experience in both personal injury and workers’ compensation law, like The Law Offices of Darwin F. Johnson.

Who is Liable for My Construction Accident?

Assessing how and why your construction accident occurred will help determine what parties are liable for the injuries you sustained while working at a job site. Workers’ compensation in Georgia doesn’t necessarily focus on who is at fault, which protects companies against lawsuits, though, you could still do so in cases where egregious or purposeful behavior caused you harm.

Parties that often have part or total responsibility for a construction worker getting hurt on the job include:

It isn’t all that uncommon for more than one party to hold some level of fault for what you suffered. Your employer could have knowingly given you a power tool that was recently recalled for electrical issues. This situation means that not only would your employer be liable for their part in giving you hazardous tools they knew were defective, but possibly the manufacturer, too. Hiring a DeKalb County personal injury lawyer will ensure that these types of circumstances do not get overlooked when building your case.

What Are Common Mistakes that Injured Construction Workers Make on Their Injury Claims?

Trying to balance the stress of recovering from a painful construction job injury and meeting the demands of insurers, your employer, doctors, and day-to-day obligations can make trying to handle an injury claim overwhelming. Mistakes are a frequent cause for claim denials, leading to long delays and even a denial of benefits.

If you are considering handling your claim on your own, watch out for these pitfalls that frequently cost hurt construction employees thousands in benefits:

• Failing to report your injury to your employer within 30 days as required by state law
• Not submitting a claim to the Georgia Board of Workers’ Compensation within a year of your accident
• Not going to necessary doctor appointments and therapy visits.
• Over exaggerating your injuries
• Underreporting your symptoms or hiding pre-existing conditions
• Failing to hold on to any evidence
• Sharing information about your injury on social media
• Not speaking with a qualified personal injury attorney about your case

Even if you receive a claim denial because you made one of these common mistakes, you may be able to appeal. Keep in mind that requirements are much more strict for this process. To be successful, you will need an aggressive workers’ compensation attorney trained in Georgia personal injury law.

What Qualities Should I Seek in a Cobb County Construction Accident Attorney?

If you are getting the runaround from your employer or their insurer regarding your construction site injuries, you may have decided to consult with an attorney. This step can seem daunting without knowing what qualities to look for before allowing them to represent your case. Typically, there are three main factors to consider before entering an agreement with a workers’ compensation attorney in DeKalb County, Georgia:

• Do they have demonstrated knowledge and success representing construction worker accident cases?
• Will they be dedicated to your best interests, or are they simply a personal injury mill?
• How many years of experience do they have in workers’ compensation law, and do they have experience handling personal injury cases, as well?

At The Law Offices of Darwin F. Johnson, our legal team brings over thirty years of combined experience to your case. We also have won over $250 million in settlements and litigation awards for thousands of construction workers and their families throughout DeKalb County and the surrounding Atlanta areas.

Our years of dedicated service to our clients and our community have made us one of the premier construction injury law firms in Atlanta. We would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you about injuries you suffered while working in construction and help you get the compensation you deserve.