Smithfield Construction Accident Attorney
As a Virginia construction worker, you have a front-row view of the serious nature of workplace accidents. Despite your employer’s best efforts to keep the job site safe, fatal and injury-causing mishaps are common. For victims, the losses can be extensive. While you are out of work, you are also incurring medical bills and feeling the pressure to support your household. Even though you may qualify for benefits under Virginia’s workers’ compensation system, the claims process can be overwhelming.
For this reason, it is important to rely on a Smithfield construction accident attorney for help with the legal challenges. By retaining a lawyer to handle the claims process and other tasks, recovering from your injuries will be stress-free. To learn more about your rights and options, please contact Hampton Injury Law today. You can also read on for some important background information.
The Construction “Fatal Four” Accidents
Countless factors may contribute to or directly cause workplace accidents in the construction industry, but some are noteworthy because of the high fatality rate. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration refers to them as the “Fatal Four,” and they were linked to more than 58% of all construction worker deaths in 2018. They are:
- Falls, which represent 33.5% of all construction fatalities;
- Being struck by an object, at just over 11%;
- Electrocution, which was involved in 8.5% of deaths; and,
- Being caught or in-between an object, at 5.5%.
Overview of Workers’ Comp for Construction Accidents
Virginia’s workers’ comp laws establish a no-fault system for claims, which means you do not have to prove that your employer was at fault in causing the accident. Instead, you file a workers’ comp claim for benefits through your employer’s insurance company. Generally, you qualify if you are a construction employee who was hurt because of a workplace incident. Still, there are some important factors to note:
- Workers’ compensation is your exclusive remedy in more situations. You are prohibited from filing a lawsuit in court unless third party conduct was involved in your injuries.
- You cannot obtain non-economic damages in a workers’ comp claim. Though you may be eligible for the benefits described below, you will not be able to receive amounts for pain and suffering.
Your Virginia Workers’ Comp Benefits
If you qualify under state law, you may be able to receive monetary benefits for:
- Medical costs to treat your injuries, now and in the future;
- Some of your lost wages; and,
- Vocational rehabilitation services to help you re-enter the workforce in the same or another position.
Set Up a Free Case Evaluation with a Smithfield Construction Accident Attorney
While this overview may be useful in helping you understand basic workers’ comp concepts, it should also convince of the need to retain experienced legal counsel. The claims process is more efficient when you have a knowledgeable lawyer, so you can start receiving benefits without delays. To learn how our team can assist, please call Hampton Injury Law to set up a no-cost case evaluation.
