Georgia Construction
Accident Lawyer
We are Georgia’s voice for personal injury victims.
Georgia Tried. Georgia Tested. Georgia True.
Were you or a loved one hurt on an Georgia construction site?
Finding a lawyer with the right background is crucial. Our Georgia attorneys specialize in securing compensation for injured workers and their families.
Georgia is a big state and quickly getting bigger, as the countless cranes dotting the city skyline can attest to. Commercial and residential construction projects have risen sharply in the Big Peach since the Great Recession, and Georgia is now home to roughly 9,600 private construction companies—many of which are based in metro Atlanta.
Of the thousands of American workers who die on the job each year, approximately 20 percent of deadly work accidents happen on construction sites—making construction the most dangerous industry in the United States. One in 10 construction workers is injured every year, according to the Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA). Approximately 150,000 construction site injuries are reported each year.
Even for those of us who aren't in the field of construction, jobsites can pose a danger to passersby, visitors, and the general public. Everyone is responsible for their own safety when entering a construction zone; however, some parties have an added responsibility to preserve the health and well-being of anyone on the jobsite, whether they work there or are just passing through.
If you or a loved one were seriously injured while working at a construction site or simply when you were near one, you should know that Georgia personal injury and workers’ compensation laws allow injured individuals and their families to recover compensation in many circumstances. Damages that can be awarded include reimbursement for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. But first, you may need to establish liability (or fault) and hold the at-fault party responsible for their negligence. Our law firm can help.
What are the most common accidents in construction?
The 4 main common types of fatal types of accidents - known as the “Fatal Four” - are as follows:
Steps for construction workers
Help! I was injured while working at a construction site. What now?
Notify your employer
(unless you require emergency medical care, in which case call 911 and notify your employer as soon as you can). In Georgia and many other states, you must report your injury to your employer within 30 days or else risk having your claim denied. Notify them in writing, if possible.
Seek medical attention
Get medical care from an approved doctor from your employer’s list of authorized treating physicians and follow their recommendations to the letter. Don’t miss any appointments.
File a claim
If your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, then you have 1 year to file a claim to recoup your medical expenses, lost wages and vocational rehabilitation (if needed). Most (though not all) employers in Georgia with 3 or more full-time, part-time or seasonal workers are required to carry workers’ comp. Independent contractors are generally not covered.
Document everything
Throughout your claim, take care to save and organize all documentation regarding your claim, including medical bills, statements, correspondence with doctors and insurers, communication with your employer, etc.
Consult an attorney
Before you agree to a settlement or payout, always be sure to meet with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who can ensure that what you are being offered is fair. If your claim was denied or you are an independent contractor, meet with a lawyer near you as soon as possible to review your case and prepare for next steps before the statute of limitations expires.
Steps for everyone else
Help! I was injured while visiting a construction site, or traveling near one. What now?
Seek medical attention
First and foremost, your health and safety should be taken care of. If you are seriously injured, call 911 or have someone nearby do so for you. Even if you don’t seem to be seriously hurt, visit a doctor or urgent care clinic as soon as possible for a medical evaluation.
Report the accident
After a construction accident, notify the proper authorities such as the supervisor of the construction site or the local police. This helps establish a record and also allows the danger to be addressed so that nobody else is injured.
Gather evidence and information
If you can do so safely, try to gather important evidence before leaving the accident scene, such as the names and contact information of eyewitnesses, as well as pictures of the scene and your injury. Also, jot down as many details about the accident as you can while the memory is fresh.
Keep all records
Be sure to save all files and records that pertain to your construction site injury, including medical bills, statements, missed workdays and communication with the construction company and/or their insurer.
Get legal help
Most importantly, consult with an attorney as soon as possible so that they can start investigating the details that led up to the accident, file the necessary paperwork, ensure that important deadlines are met, negotiate with the other party to secure the best possible outcome for you and take your case to court if necessary.
CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT
If you would like to learn more about filing a workers’ compensation claim or pursuing a lawsuit against a third party after a construction site accident, then you’ve come to the right place. The team at Julian Lewis Sanders & Associates is standing by to answer your questions and help you determine the next best steps.
Don’t wait too long, as there is a strict time limit placed on these types of cases. The clock is ticking! Talk to a legal professional today to get started on your initial consultation.