If you were injured on a construction job site in Wadesboro, North Carolina, you could be entitled to compensation through a workers’ compensation or third-party personal injury claim.
At the law firm of Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, we want to help you understand your legal rights and pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a Wadesboro construction site injury lawyer and learn more about your options.
How Our Wadesboro Construction Accident Lawyers Can Help
Our Wadesboro construction accident lawyers have advised many clients through the challenging days, weeks, months, and years after an accident – and we can help you too. Our attorneys can assist with the following:
- Evaluating your options for compensation
- Investigating the accident to determine what happened and who is responsible
- Filing a workers’ compensation claim
- Appealing your workers’ comp claim if it is denied or undervalued
- Pursuing a personal injury claim against an at-fault third party
- Quantifying your losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering
- Advocating for maximum compensation in negotiations, at hearings, and in court
Common Types and Causes of Accidents on Construction Sites in Wadesboro
Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in North Carolina. According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics, North Carolina construction workers suffered 4,600 injuries or illnesses in one recent year. Sadly, 43 construction workers died in workplace accidents, making construction the deadliest industry in North Carolina that year.
According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), there are four significant hazards that construction workers need to be alert for:
- Falls – According to OSHA, one-third of construction accident fatalities were caused by falls, slips, and trips. The vast majority of those fell to a lower level.
- Caught in/between accidents – Examples of caught-in/between accidents include cave-ins, getting pulled into or caught in machinery or equipment, or being crushed between shifting or moving objects.
- Struck-by accidents – Construction workers can be struck by falling, flying, swinging, or rolling objects, including construction machinery or equipment. According to OSHA, approximately 75 percent of struck-by fatalities involve heavy machinery, such as trucks or cranes.
- Electrocution – Construction workers are often exposed to lethal electrical energy, resulting in burns, electrocution, shock, arc flash or blast, fire, or explosions.
Construction accidents happen for various reasons, many of which are entirely preventable.
Common causes of construction accidents include:
- Inattentive workers or supervisors
- Miscommunication among workers
- Unsafe working conditions
- Lack of safety gear
- Inexperienced workers
- Equipment or machinery malfunctions
- Unsecure surfaces or equipment
Common Injuries from Construction Accidents in Wadesboro
Construction accidents can cause various injuries, ranging from mild to severe to deadly, including:
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Strains and sprains
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Chemical exposure injuries
- Concussion
- Blast injuries
- Back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Wrongful death
Who Can Be Held Liable for My Injury?
Depending on several factors, you may have options for pursuing compensation after a construction accident.
Most North Carolina employers with three or more employees must obtain workers’ compensation insurance coverage, which provides compensation to injured workers regardless of who is at fault for the accident. If you qualify as a legal employee of the employer, you can file a workers’ compensation claim with their insurer for the following expenses after an accident:
- Medical care from an employer-approved provider, including hospital stays, doctor’s visits, surgery, physical therapy, medical equipment, travel costs to appointments, and domestic replacement services
- Partial wage-replacement benefits, depending on the extent and duration of the injuries
- Permanent disability benefits for injuries with long-term effects
- Death benefits for surviving family members of workers who died because of their job
If another party’s negligence contributed to the accident, you might be able to pursue a third-party personal injury claim against the at-fault entity.
Examples of potentially liable parties include:
- Another company or an employee of a company other than your employer
- Manufacturer of faulty equipment
- A non-employee vehicle driver
- Property owner
Through a personal injury claim, you may be able to recover compensation that is not available through workers’ comp claims, including:
- Medical care from any provider
- 100 percent of lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Physical impairment
- Diminished quality of life
Statute of Limitations on Construction Injury Cases in Wadesboro
According to North Carolina’s statute of limitations, injured workers must file their claims within a particular deadline:
- Workers’ compensation claims: If their employer carries workers’ compensation insurance coverage, injured workers have two years to file a workers’ compensation claim in North Carolina. To qualify, they must have notified their employer of their injury in writing within 30 days of the accident.
- Third-party personal injury claims: If a third party’s negligence contributed to the accident, an injured worker has three years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.
Safety Tips to Follow on Construction Sites
The North Carolina Department of Labor and OSHA recommend the following safety tips to mitigate the four fatal construction hazards:
- Falls:
- Use a safety harness, guardrails, safety net, or other protection when working at heights.
- Cover and secure floor openings.
- Use ladders and scaffolds safely.
- Caught in/between accidents:
- Install trench boxes for deep trenches.
- Use ladders for deep trenches.
- Keep a safe distance from machinery while in operation.
- Struck-by accidents:
- Wear an approved hard hat on the construction site.
- Wear high-visibility clothing near equipment and vehicles.
- Use barricades around construction equipment and machinery.
- Watch for nearby workers when operating vehicles or equipment.
- Ensure power tools such as nail guns are turned off when not in use.
- Electrocution:
- Look for overhead power lines when operating equipment.
- Locate and identify utilities before starting work.
- Do not use worn or frayed power or extension cords.
- Stay at least 10 feet away from energized power lines.
- Use ground-fault circuit interrupters.
Contact Our Wadesboro Construction Accident Lawyers
The aftermath of a construction accident can be overwhelming, especially when you’ve been seriously injured. The Wadesboro construction accident lawyers of Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, can help you pursue compensation through a workers’ compensation claim or third-party personal injury.
Contact us today for a free consultation after a construction accident in Wadesboro, NC.
