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“I was hurt as a result of a catastrophic industrial accident. We were looking for a lawyer to represent us and found one after talking to a very close friend of ours. Our friend had met Stewart Poisson before and thought she would be a good fit for us. I was in a drug-induced coma for three months, and Stewart made this terrible situation much more tolerable for my wife. She even traveled to UNC Health Care in Chapel Hill to make sure that I was getting the care that I needed. She did address some issues that needed to be changed. One such issue was finding a different doctor, a doctor that was familiar with my type of injury. Switching doctors turned out to be instrumental in my recovery. My wife and I have a lot of confidence in Stewart and would definitely recommend her to anyone requiring a great lawyer. She is very competent and friendly.”
─ A.S., Wilmington, NC
“I thank Stewart Poisson for taking my case when so many others (I tried 5 local 1 out of state), all whom said “we will do some research and contact you.” They could not/would not take my case. They sent me a letter saying such. I was upset and thinking nobody cared and no one would take my case. Somebody told me to try Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC. I came to her office with a “why try” attitude. She took me to her office, and we spent more time together that one day then all the others combined. She asked so many questions. When everyone said no……she said “let’s try,” with no promises. I/we (my wife) were just happy with a try. We came out of it with a lot more than we ever thought possible. Now whenever I hear someone going through the same, the first thing out of my mouth is Poisson, Poisson, Bower and Stewart’s name.”
─ M.C., Wilmington, NC
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Construction is one of the most dangerous industries for workers, who face many occupational safety hazards every time they step on the job site. If you are a construction worker who has been injured on the job, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, compensation through a third-party injury claim, or both, depending on the circumstances of your accident.
Contact a Wilmington construction injury lawyer at Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, for a free consultation to discuss your situation and how we can help. We are here to fight for the rights of injured workers. We’re ready to put our experience to work for you.
Common Construction Site Injuries in Wilmington, NC
Although construction workers may be injured for various reasons, many construction zone injuries occur due to preventable accidents. Some of the most common construction site injuries include:
- Broken and fractured bones
- Traumatic brain injuries and other head injuries
- Back injuries, including strains and sprains
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Burns and disfigurement
- Skin damage, eye damage, and lung injuries caused by exposure to hazardous chemicals
No matter how severe your injuries are, our attorneys have the resources to help you pursue the benefits you are entitled to from every available source.
Common Causes of Construction Site Injuries
Some of the most common causes of construction site injuries in North Carolina include:
- Falls
- Inadequate scaffolding
- Unsafe ladders
- Respiratory hazards
- Unsafe electrical equipment
- Industrial truck accidents
- Poorly maintained machines
- Failure to provide proper safety equipment
Regardless of who caused the accident that injured you, you have a legal right to pursue workers’ compensation benefits through your employer. Depending upon the specific details of your case, you may even have grounds to file a claim against a negligent third party.
Potential Sources of Compensation for a Construction Accident in Wilmington
Workers’ compensation provides coverage for your medical expenses, a portion of your lost wages until you return to work (typically two-thirds of your average weekly wage up to a maximum limit), and disability benefits if you are disabled because of the accident.
Workers’ compensation in North Carolina does not offer coverage for non-financial damages such as pain and suffering. Workers’ compensation is a type of no-fault coverage, meaning that you are entitled to compensation regardless of who was at fault, as long as your injuries occurred at the workplace or while performing work-related duties.
In general, any company that employs three or more employees must offer workers’ compensation coverage to their workers, except for agricultural businesses that have under 10 employees. Because workers’ comp is no-fault coverage, you typically cannot sue your employer even if you believe they did something wrong to cause the accident.
If a third party – someone other than your employer or co-workers – contributed to your injuries, you might be able to pursue a third-party insurance claim or lawsuit against that person or entity. For example, if you were injured on a job site, and defective equipment caused your injury, you could sue the faulty equipment’s manufacturer. Through a third-party lawsuit, you can pursue additional compensation not available under workers’ comp, including the full extent of your lost income and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
How Our Wilmington Construction Site Injury Lawyers Can Help You
Depending on your situation, our North Carolina construction injury lawyers can help you file for workers’ compensation benefits, seek compensation from an at-fault third party, or both.
We can help you seek workers’ compensation benefits by:
- Assisting you in filing a workers’ compensation claim, if your company has workers’ compensation coverage and you are an eligible employee
- Helping you appeal a decision if your claim is denied or undervalued
We can help you file a third-party injury claim by:
- Investigating the accident that injured you and collecting evidence to support your claim
- Consulting with medical, economic, and accident reconstruction experts to build a strong case on your behalf
- Calculating your losses and estimating the total value of your claim
- Sending a demand letter and negotiating for a settlement that accounts for your current and future losses
- Filing a lawsuit and seeking compensation in court, if necessary
We understand how stressful it can be to watch your medical bills pile up, especially if you cannot work while recovering. Contact us as soon as possible so we can get to work seeking the benefits and compensation you need and deserve.
Deadlines for Filing a Construction Accident Case in Wilmington
Whether you are filing a workers’ compensation claim with your employer’s provider or a third-party injury claim against a negligent party, you should be aware of the deadlines for filing a construction accident claim:
- Workers’ compensation – If you plan to file a workers’ compensation claim, you typically have two years to do it. To qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, you must notify your employer of your injury in writing within 30 days.
- Third-party claim – In general, you have three years from the date of your injury to file a third-party lawsuit against the at-fault party. If your family member died in a construction accident caused by a third party’s negligence, you have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
If you fail to file a claim or lawsuit before the deadline, you will most likely give up your right to pursue compensation. That’s why it is vital to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible to assist you with your case.
Get Help from Our Wilmington Construction Accident Lawyers Now
Were you injured in a construction accident in Wilmington? Whether you plan to pursue workers’ comp, a third-party lawsuit, or both, you stand a much better chance of obtaining the compensation you deserve when you have a seasoned North Carolina construction site attorney on your side.
Contact a Wilmington construction accident lawyer at Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, for a free, no-risk case evaluation today.