Why Do You Need a Construction Accident Attorney?

If you work in construction, getting injured on the job can make things incredibly difficult. Even if you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, filing a successful claim is not easy, and your benefits might not cover all of the costs of your job-related injury.

Don’t face your injuries alone. An Orlando construction accident attorney can determine the true value of your injury claim and fight for every penny to which you are entitled under the law. At Colling Gilbert Wright, we know the hardships faced by injury victims and we are committed to helping our clients achieve the justice and compensation they deserve.

7 Reasons to Hire a Construction Accident Attorney

Here are seven important reasons why you should schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced construction accident attorney if you’ve been injured: 

Reason #1: You Need to Know What Claim(s) to File

If you are an employee, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. But, if you are not an employee (i.e. you are an independent contractor), then you may not qualify. Instead, you may need to determine if you have grounds to file a lawsuit against the company that pays you. 

Regardless of whether you qualify for benefits, you may have other claims as well. For example, if you slipped and fell, you may have a claim against the property owner. Or, if you got injured in a hand tool or power tool accident, you may have a claim against the manufacturer. You could also have a claim against a contractor, subcontractor, transport company, or any other company that is legally responsible for what happened. 

Reason #2: You Need to Avoid Costly Mistakes

When you have a construction accident claim, there are lots of mistakes you need to avoid. If you wait too long, say the wrong thing, or even see the wrong doctor, these are all mistakes that could jeopardize your financial recovery. 

A construction accident attorney can help make sure you take all of the steps that are necessary to protect your legal rights. Your attorney can also help make sure important deadlines do not slip by. You only get one chance to assert your legal rights after a construction accident; and, if you make mistakes because you are trying to handle your situation on your own, you could end up without the compensation you deserve. 

Reason #3: You Need to Aggressively Pursue Your Claim(s) 

Many employees assume that they can simply file a workers’ compensation claim and wait for their first benefit check to come in the mail. However, this is not the case. You must aggressively pursue your claim for benefits, and you must be prepared to deal with delay tactics and denials. 

It is also up to you to make sure you seek the maximum compensation available. If you leave it up to your employer or the insurance companies, they will pay you as little as possible. Hiring a construction site accident attorney lets you feel confident knowing that you have someone on your side.  

Reason #4: You Need to Accurately Calculate Your Benefits

From medical benefits to partial and total disability benefits, you may be entitled to a variety of different types of benefits under Florida’s workers’ compensation law. You need to make sure you seek all of the types of benefits to which you are legally entitled, and you need to accurately calculate your benefits as well. 

This also applies to any damages you may be entitled to recover outside of workers’ compensation. If you have grounds to file a lawsuit, you can seek compensation for your current and future medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. But, to accurately calculate these losses (and fight to recover these losses effectively), you will need an experienced construction accident attorney.

Reason #5: You Need to Avoid Getting Sent Back to Work Too Soon

If you are entitled to benefits or other compensation for your construction site accident, you need to be very careful to avoid returning to work too soon. Even if your workers’ comp doctor says you have reached your “maximum medical improvement,” you will still want to consult with your attorney before going back to your construction job. 

Reason #6: You Need to Know When (and If) to Settle

Settling your construction accident claim allows you to collect a lump-sum payment and move on with your life. But, settling waives your right to additional compensation, so it is critical that you make an informed decision about when (and if) to accept an offer. In addition to negotiating on your behalf, your attorney can explain whether accepting a settlement offer is in your best interests. 

Reason #7: You May Need to Take Legal Action

Finally, while a construction accident lawyer may be able to help you secure a settlement relatively quickly, your attorney may also need to take your claim (or claims) to court. If you need to take legal action in order to collect just compensation, having an attorney involved from the outset will help maximize your chances of winning at trial. 

Talk to an Orlando Construction Accident Attorney for Free

Did you get injured on the job? If so, we strongly encourage you to contact us for a free and confidential consultation. To discuss your situation with a construction accident attorney at Colling Gilbert Wright as soon as possible, call (800) 766-1000 or tell us about your case online now. We serve clients throughout Florida, including Orlando, Tampa, Miami, and other nearby areas.