Construction workers in Georgia face numerous hazards on the job. If you were injured in a construction accident in Atlanta, GA, you deserve to be fairly compensated for your injuries.
However, recovering fair compensation can be challenging. Working with an experienced Atlanta personal injury law firm gives you the best chance of a positive case result.
At Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, our Atlanta construction accident lawyers have over 50 years of combined experience. We aggressively pursue claims for injured construction workers and their families.
Since 2015, we have recovered millions in jury verdicts and settlements for our clients. We also handle cases related to diverse types of injuries, such as truck accidents in Atlanta, pedestrian accidents, slips and falls, wrongful death, and more.
Contact us at (770) 900 9000 to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced construction accident attorneys in Atlanta, Georgia. You can trust our team to aggressively fight to protect your rights and best interests.
How Hammers Law Firm Can Help if You’re Injured in a Construction Accident in Atlanta, GA
If you are injured at a construction site, you need a knowledgeable workers’ compensation lawyer to help you with a claim. You may also need an experienced construction accident attorney to file a third-party claim. Determining who is responsible for your injuries can be complicated.
Our Atlanta personal injury lawyers have decades of experience handling challenging, complex construction accident cases. Our attorneys appear on The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 list and are selected as Georgia Super Lawyers. Our winning track record earned our legal team membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
When you hire our top-rated construction accident lawyers in Atlanta, you can trust that we will:
- Investigate the cause of your construction accident to determine the types of claims that you may be able to pursue
- Consult with expert witnesses as necessary to gather additional evidence proving your claim
- Prepare and file all paperwork required for workers’ comp claims and third-party personal injury claims
- Analyze your damages to calculate how much your claims are worth
- Negotiate settlements that compensate you fairly for all losses
- File a lawsuit and proceed to trial if that is the best way to protect your rights
Call Hammers Law Firm to speak with an experienced Atlanta personal injury attorney. Your initial consultation is confidential and free.
Common Causes of Construction Accidents in Atlanta, GA
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry had the second-highest number of Georgia worker fatalities in 2022. Construction accidents happen for many reasons, including negligence, defective products, intentional acts, and dangerous premises.
Our Atlanta construction accident attorneys help clients after all types of accidents and injuries on construction sites.
Causes of construction injuries include:
- Building collapse
- Falls
- Industrial accidents
- Gas explosions
- Welding accidents
- Crane accidents
- Electrical and electrocution injuries
- Heavy machinery accidents
- Excavation and trenching accidents
- Accidents involving forklifts, bulldozers, and other large equipment
- Exposure to dangerous and toxic substances
- Falling objects
- Nail gun accidents
- Roofing accidents
- Ladder and scaffolding accidents
- Injuries involving defective tools and machinery
If you are injured in a construction accident, seek immediate medical treatment for your injuries. Report the incident to your employer as soon as possible. It is also beneficial to schedule a free consultation with our Atlanta construction injury lawyers as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.
Common Construction Accident Injuries
Construction accidents can cause catastrophic injuries and permanent impairments.
Common injuries sustained by construction workers include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Crushing injuries
- Eye injuries and vision loss
- Internal bleeding and damage to internal organs
- Hearing loss
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Electrocutions and electrical injuries
- Exposure to chemical and toxic substances
- Severe burns
- Fractured, crushed, and broken bones
- Soft tissue damage and nerve damage
Construction accidents can cause life-altering injuries. Your recovery could take months, and you may develop permanent impairments. The cost of injuries from a construction accident could cause severe financial stress.
We will work to obtain a settlement as quickly as possible. However, we won’t rush to settlement if the insurance company or third party refuses to offer a fair amount to settle your case. We’ll aggressively pursue settlement but are prepared to go to court when necessary.
What Compensation Is Available After a Construction Accident in Atlanta, GA?
Construction workers in Georgia are typically covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Therefore, you can file a claim for workers’ comp benefits if you are hurt while working on a construction site. However, if a third party was involved in your construction accident, you may also have a personal injury claim.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
You should be entitled to workers’ comp benefits if you sustain a work-related injury.
Filing a workers’ comp claim should provide you with:
- Medical benefits to pay for doctor visits, surgeries, tests, procedures, medications, physical therapy, etc.
- Supplemental income if you are out of work for over seven days because of your injuries. However, you only receive about two-thirds of your average weekly income in workers’ comp benefits.
- Rehabilitation support to learn a new job or skill if your injuries prevent you from returning to your job.
- Permanent disability benefits for an on-the-job injury that results in life-long impairments.
- Death benefits for family members of a worker killed on a construction site.
Workers’ compensation does not provide benefits that compensate injured workers for their pain and suffering damages. It also does not pay a worker for all financial losses caused by the construction accident.
Third-Party Damages
A third-party claim is a personal injury claim. It arises if another party contributed to the cause of your construction accident and injuries.
Third-party claims may arise in numerous ways, including:
- A claim against a contractor for negligence
- Claims against engineering and architectural firms for defectively designed buildings
- A product liability claim against the manufacturer of a defective product
- Premises liability claims against property owners because of unsafe conditions
Because third-party cases are personal injury claims, the damages are far more extensive than a workers’ compensation claim. You can seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages if you prove negligence, strict liability, intentional torts, or another legal cause of action.
Examples of damages in a third-party construction accident claim include:
- All lost wages and benefits
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Property damage
- Medical bills and expenses
- Reductions in earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Long-term personal and/or nursing care
- Impairments and disabilities
- Rehabilitative therapies
- Diminished quality of life
The value of your claim depends on your injuries, financial losses, and other factors. A jury might also award punitive damages if the party acted with malice, willful misconduct, or an entire lack of care for the safety of other people.
How Does Shared Fault Affect a Construction Accident Claim in Georgia?
Georgia’s comparative negligence laws apply to third-party claims but not to workers’ compensation matters. Workers’ compensation insurance is no-fault coverage. You do not need to prove that your employer caused your injuries to receive benefits. Additionally, you could be at fault for causing your injuries and still receive benefits unless you intentionally caused the accident or were intoxicated at the time of the work accident.
However, third-party claims are based on fault. You must prove that the other party caused your injuries or is strictly liable. Additionally, if you are partially to blame for your injuries, your compensation may be reduced or barred.
Georgia’s modified comparative fault law bars compensation if a victim is 50% or more at fault for causing their injuries. Therefore, you would not recover compensation for a third-party claim if you are 68% at fault for causing a construction accident.
However, if you are 28% to blame, you could receive some money for your damages. The court would reduce your damages by your level of fault or 28 percent.
Because third-party claims are based on fault, insurance companies and defense lawyers often try to shift some blame to the victim. By doing so, they can reduce the liability for your claim. It is wise to seek legal counsel before you discuss your claim with an insurance adjuster or other party.
How Long Do I Have to File a Construction Accident Case in Georgia?
You should notify your construction employer as soon as possible – but no later than 30 days – following your work injury. Failure to do so could result in a denial of your workers’ compensation claim.
For personal injury cases, Georgia’s statute of limitations generally provides two years to take legal action. The clock starts to run on the date of your construction accident injury.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Atlanta Construction Accident Lawyers
The aftermath of a construction accident can be devastating. As you and your family deal with your injuries and financial losses, it can be challenging to know what to do.
There are many legal issues to deal with. The deadlines to file claims can differ depending on the type of claim being filed.
Call our Atlanta offices at Hammers Law Firm to schedule a free case review with one of our Atlanta construction accident attorneys. We are here to help you when you need trusted legal advice, support, and guidance after a construction accident.
Our personal injury law firm in Atlanta, GA also provides:
- Brain Injury Accident Attorneys in Atlanta, GA
- Car Accident Attorneys in Atlanta, GA
- Atlanta Catastrophic Injury Lawyers
- Dog Bite Accident Lawyers in Atlanta, GA
- Motorcycle Accidents Lawyer in Atlanta, GA
- Atlanta Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
- Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers in Atlanta, GA
- Truck Accident Attorneys in Atlanta, GA
- Wrongful Death Lawyers in Atlanta
- Product Liability Attorneys in Atlanta
- Premises Liability Attorney in Atlanta, GA
- Medical Malpractice Attorneys in Atlanta, GA
- Construction Accidents Lawyer in Atlanta, GA
- Uber Accident Lawyers in Atlanta, GA
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Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Atlanta, GA
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
201 Joseph E Lowery Blvd NW Suite 312
Atlanta, GA 30314
(770) 900-9000
770-626-4469