Knowing Your Rights To Workers’ Comp After A Construction Accident

On a daily basis, workplace hazards are faced by hard-working professional construction workers. These hazards can result in injuries that range from minor to deadly. Though employers and OSHA do their best to make sure that worksites are safe, accidents still happen. Couple complicated, heavy machinery with dangerous tools and just plain dumb luck, and you’ve got an invitation for inherent risk. There can be cause for major concern if basic safety standards are not adhered to by subcontractors, contractors, and inexperienced or negligent individuals.

When unfortunate incidents occur, construction workers may depend on workers’ comp to reimburse them for medical bills, wages lost, etc.

Construction Workplace Injuries – By the Numbers

• Annually, the number of private industry worker fatalities attributed to the construction industry is 20% – according to OSHA.
• Workplace illnesses and injuries (nonfatal) numbered 2.9 million in 2016 alone – according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• In 2011, 781 workers experienced death due to injury in the construction industry – according to the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Injured At Your Construction Job? You Have the Right to Compensation!

Though workers’ compensation can and should be of assistance if you’re injured while executing the duties of your construction job – depending on the details of your case – there are other types of compensation that you can pursue.

Several different parties are likely involved, and cases involving injury and construction can be extremely complicated. The compensation you deserve can be better determined by discussing your case with an attorney.

For death or injury sustained in the workplace, the following types of compensation could be sought:

• Mental distress
• Emotional anguish
• Pain-and-suffering
• Cost of future rehabilitation or medical treatment
• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Permanent disability
• Physical injuries
• Wrongful death

One of the most important aspects here is, after reporting the incident and receiving the medical care you need, contacting a knowledgeable, experienced workers’ compensation attorney.

Work Case Injury Cases Versus Workers’ Compensation

There is a marked difference between workers’ compensation and filing a personal injury lawsuit against your workplace. Workers’ compensation – in the state of New Jersey – is a no-fault insurance program. What does that mean for the injured employee? Regardless of whether or not there was negligence on the part of the injured employee, they can receive benefits if they were injured on the job. Unfortunately, if serious injuries occur, all of the costs will probably not be covered by workers’ compensation. Therefore, an injured worker can receive workers’ compensation and still pursue a workplace accident case at the same time – particularly if the contractor was negligent.

Additionally, workers’ compensation has limits to the types of damages it will cover. For this very reason, and more, a personal injury claim should, at the very least, be discussed with an attorney if you are injured at your construction job.

Keep in mind, however, that there is a statute of limitations where workplace accidents are concerned. Once again, your attorney should be able to discuss this with you in detail.

Corradino & Papa, LLC – New Jersey’s Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

If you are injured on the job, you need a fair, impartial, dedicated person on your side. We are one of New Jersey’s leading workers’ compensation law firms.

At Corradino & Papa, LLC, workers’ compensation cases are our specialty. Contact us today for a free consultation. If you can’t come to us, either because of injuries or COVID-19 social distancing requirements – don’t worry. We can telecommunicate or Skype when necessary.

Disclaimer: Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.