Construction Accidents

While the construction industry is subject to many strict state and federal safety regulations, the unfortunate reality is that thousands of people suffer job-related injuries in Georgia and across the U.S. each year. If you have been injured or have lost a loved one in a construction accident, an injury lawyer can advise you on your options. At Cook Law Group, our Gainesville construction accident attorneys are ready to help you seek the compensation that you deserve. We have specifically handled several construction workplace injury cases with significant success.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nearly 5,000 fatal work injuries were recorded in 2015, and fatal injuries among construction and extraction occupations were the highest that they have been since 2008. Some common causes of construction accidents include events such as:

• Chemical burns;
• Electrocution or electrical burns;
• Falls from heights;
• Burns from hot liquids;
• Explosions;
• Faulty or defective machinery;
• Injuries caused by others; and
• Motor vehicle accidents.

Construction companies and third parties have a duty to workers to follow safety regulations and take measures to keep workplaces as hazard-free as possible. Most injuries that occur on the job are covered by Georgia’s workers’ compensation system. Workers’ compensation designates specific benefits to which employees may be entitled in the event of a construction accident. Typically, these benefits include medical bills and lost wages.

Workers’ compensation is the “exclusive remedy” that an injured worker has against their employer. There are, however, situations in which third parties may potentially be sued through a personal injury claim. A third party may be a subcontractor, a manufacturer, another driver, or anyone besides the employer who caused the accident and the victim’s resulting harm. Our construction accident lawyers can help Gainesville workers and others investigate all of the causes of an accident to determine whether it may be appropriate to pursue personal injury damages as well as workers’ compensation benefits. A claim would involve proving the fault of the third party, often by showing that they failed to use the appropriate degree of care in the situation.

Damages that may be available in personal injury claims based on construction accidents or other work injuries extend from medical bills and lost income to more subjective forms of harm like pain and suffering. These non-economic damages are not available through the workers’ compensation system, which is one reason why it may be particularly important to consider bringing a personal injury claim.

Some construction accidents unfortunately prove fatal. A victim’s family may confront serious challenges when they lose the income and support that the victim provided. In addition to workers’ compensation death benefits, they may be able to pursue a wrongful death action against a negligent third party. These may be more complex than personal injury claims, so it is important to seek legal guidance as soon as possible if you are considering this course of action.

While we have handled many such cases, most were settled confidentially. Sometimes, however, an insurer for a negligent defendant refuses to settle and a jury trial is necessary. You can read an article about one such case we tried for the children of Mack Pitts who was killed during a construction project at the Atlanta Airport.

It is important to know your rights following a construction accident. At Cook Law Group, our Gainesville construction accident lawyers have the skill, knowledge, and experience to guide you through the legal process. We assist injured people in Athens, Atlanta, Marietta, Smyrna, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Valdosta, Augusta, and Columbus, as well as other areas of Hall, Clarke, Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, Lowndes, Richmond, and Muscogee Counties. To set up a free consultation with a personal injury or wrongful death attorney, call us at 678-928-3899 or contact us online.