What if you suffered injuries from someone other than your employer? The construction industry suffers more accident injuries compared to other workers. In fact, construction jobs are consistently listed among the most dangerous. While many construction workers injured on the job are restricted to workers’ compensation claims, in some situations it is possible to pursue compensation from a negligent third party. If you sustained injuries on a construction site due to the negligence of someone other than your employer, contact a Yakima construction site injury attorney to discuss your options for recovery.
Common Construction Site Injuries
Any injury may occur on a construction site. A construction site is constantly abuzz with activity with numerous workers engaged in different activities. Additionally, heavy equipment, dangerous tools, and oversized materials are in use at any given time. The most common types of injuries occurring on a construction site include the following:
- Falling objects may cause brain injuries ranging from recoverable concussions to longer-term brain injuries. A traumatic brain injury may cause permanent cognitive, sensory, and memory issues that can change the course of your life.
- A fall or great force of an impact may cause spinal cord injuries. Your spinal column serves as the lifeline of communication for the rest of your body. And damage to it may cause permanent harm that prevents you from ever working again.
- Construction sites often include flammable chemicals, electricity, and hot machinery that may cause substantial injury and disfigurement from burns.
- Explosions and even just the day-to-day noise associated with construction sites may cause hearing loss over prolonged periods of exposure.
You may file a workers’ compensation claim when your harm occurs in the course of employment. Pursuing a remedy through workers’ compensation is what most people think about when injured on the job. But if your injury was the result of another party’s negligence, you might have another path open to you in the form of a personal injury claim. However, pursuing a lawsuit against a third party that caused your injury is a more complicated road to compensation, but it’s one that you should at least consider. You need Yakima construction accident attorneys to help you through it to obtain the compensation that gets you back on your feet.
What is a Third-Party Lawsuit?
A third-party lawsuit may be filed when a third party is responsible for causing your accident. The third party in this type of lawsuit is generally not the construction site employer or another employee but someone not directly involved in the construction at the site. Examples of third-party cases include the following:
- If, while driving a construction vehicle on a construction site, a civilian caused your accident and subsequent injuries.
- While operating heavy equipment on a construction site, the heavy equipment was faulty and caused an error that caused your injuries.
All third-party claims require showing that the party was negligent. Establishing negligence is key to recovering compensation. The assistance of a Yakima construction accident lawyer can walk you through what is needed to establish negligence. They see a lot of these types of cases, so they know what to look for in your situation.
What to do After a Construction Site Accident
Immediately after a construction site accident, you may not know what to do to protect your rights. Yakima construction accident attorneys advise victims to undertake the following steps following a construction site accident where they think a third party might be liable.
Seek Medical Attention
The first thing to do is seek medical attention. In addition to prioritizing your health and safety, Yakima construction accident lawyers use all documented medical evaluations and medical treatment to build and strengthen your case. Additionally, part of your compensation award may be calculated directly from your medical expenses following the completion of your treatment and care. Be sure to save your documents.
Document the Scene
If possible, document the scene surrounding your accident as much as possible. Forms of documentation include photographs, obtaining contact information for witnesses, and getting the contact information for any involved parties. If emergency services are reported to the scene, Yakima construction site injury attorneys may assist you in obtaining a copy of an accident report.
Speak with a Yakima Construction Site Injury Lawyer
Recovering compensation for third-party claims following a construction site accident will probably require the assistance of a qualified Yakima construction accident lawyer. Pursuing a lawsuit is a complex process involving knowledge of the legal process, paperwork, and deadlines. Missing a critical part during this process could significantly reduce or eliminate your path to the compensation you deserve.
What Can I Recover?
In addition to the trauma associated with your accident, even minor injuries create a substantial disruption to your life. It may feel as though no amount of money can replace what was taken from you after suffering a severe injury. But money certainly helps relieve some of the stress. You may recover compensation for the following:
- Medical and hospital expenses,
- Lost wages,
- Loss of potential future earnings,
- Pain and suffering,
- Emotional distress,
- Disfigurement,
- Loss of consortium,
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
Hiring a Yakima construction site injury lawyer will help you get the compensation you and your loved ones need to ease your financial burden.
Is There a Statute of Limitations for a Construction Accident Lawsuit?
Act quickly if you are eligible to file a construction lawsuit against a third party. In Washington, most personal injury lawsuits have a three-year statute of limitations. A Yakima construction accident attorney understands the statute of limitation requirements for third-party lawsuits and will help you file in a timely fashion.
Contact Us If You Need Someone to Stand Up for You
With more than fifty years of combined legal experience, the attorneys at Kapuza Lighty fight for the rights of clients injured by another’s negligence. Our firm focuses on providing customized legal representation specific to you and your needs. We understand that each case presents a unique set of facts and that our clients are all individuals. Your rights come first, and we put forth the best representation we can in your time of need.
Our Yakima construction site injury attorneys fight diligently for the victims of traumatic construction site accidents. We know the road ahead may seem long. But when you pick our legal team to represent you, we help you obtain the compensation you need to get back on your feet.
