What to Do After a Construction Accident
After a Maryland construction accident, you can take steps to protect your well-being and your right to claim money for your losses. Depending on the circumstances of the incident, you could have a workersā compensation claim, personal injury claim, or both. Follow these tips from the attorneys at Trollinger Law LLC to maximize your right to full and fair compensation.
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention
Always seek prompt medical attention after a construction accident. Construction injuries often result in severe injuries that require emergency care. If you have not yet visited the doctor, make an appointment immediately. You may learn your injuries are more serious than you think. It’s best to have your condition diagnosed, treated, and documented by a professional. Also, medical records are essential to any workersā compensation claim or personal injury case.
Step 2: Notify Your Employer
If you are a construction worker in Maryland, you must notify your employer of the injury within 10 days of the accident. If you fail to give timely notice, your employer or their workers’ compensation insurer may have grounds to deny an otherwise valid workers’ comp claim. Report the injury in writing and keep a copy for your records.
You won’t qualify for workers’ compensation benefits if you suffered injuries as a bystander or visitor to a construction site. Instead, you might be able to obtain compensation in a personal injury claim. An experienced construction site accident attorney can investigate the case and demand the money you deserve.
Step 3: Collect Important Information
You need strong evidence before collecting workers’ comp benefits or demanding compensation through a personal injury claim. This includes proof of your injuries and any medical expenses or other losses incurred. When you file a workers’ comp claim, you are not required to prove that anyone else was at fault. However, if you file a third-party personal injury claim or lawsuit, you will need evidence demonstrating that another individual or entity was at fault for your losses. In either case, the evidence needs to be substantial and convincing. A construction accident lawyer can collect and organize this information for you.
Step 4: Contact an Attorney for Help
If you havenāt done so, contact an experienced attorney immediately. A construction accident lawyer can take over every aspect of your case, from conducting an independent investigation and filing your claim to negotiating with the insurance company or representing you during appeals. While you have the right to file a claim independently, you may experience frustrating denials and settlement delays by making errors that a legal professional can avoid.
Step 5: File Your Injury Claim or Appeal
After compiling the evidence and completing the procedural paperwork, you can file your claim for workers’ compensation benefits or personal injury damages. Remember that securing full benefits or fair compensation is no guarantee. If your claim is unreasonably denied, delayed, or minimized, an attorney can help you file an appeal demanding the money you deserve.
Contact Our Construction Accident and Workers’ Comp Lawyer in Maryland Today
Trollinger Law LLC is a trusted Maryland personal injury and workersā compensation law firm. Talk to one of our experienced construction accident attorneys today to learn your legal rights and options. The first consultation is free.
