Construction Accident Lawyer Columbus, Ohio

Construction accidents are far too common, and they make construction one of the most dangerous jobs there is. Most of the claims related to construction are workers’ compensation, but there may be other legal actions that are applicable in certain cases. YD Legal wants to help you understand how construction accident cases work and why it is so important to find a good construction accident attorney in Columbus, OH, if you have been in a construction accident.

The Complications of Construction Accidents

Construction accidents can cause many complications for people who suffer from them. These accidents can involve many parties, from the construction company to insurance agencies, engineers, landowners, and manufacturers. So many people are involved in the construction process, which means that getting your rightful compensation can be even more of a nightmare. Fortunately, a Columbus construction accident law firm can help you understand how to make the best decisions after a construction accident.

Causes of Construction Accidents

Construction sites are some of the most dangerous areas that you can be in. In fact, the CDC suggests that construction areas have the most fatal accidents of any profession. Some of the most common causes of construction accidents include:

Worker exhaustion
Slips, trips, and falls
Equipment failure
Gas injuries
Scaffolding issues
Falls
Hoist mishaps
Crane operator accidents
electrocution
Vehicle accidents
Explosions or fires
Debris or other objects

Who is Responsible for a Construction Accident?

Many people can have a fault in a construction accident. The exact breakdown of the fault will depend on the surrounding factors of your accident and the nature of your injuries.

Owners: The owners of a construction site may be liable because of their control over the site, but some owners might not have a lot of say in what happens on the construction site.
Construction companies: Some construction companies are not as careful as they should be. In some cases, the companies are accountable for injuries.
Contractors: Contractors have one of the most important roles on a construction site. Regulations require them to keep certain standards, and if they don’t keep these standards, they can be held responsible for the damage they have done.
Manufacturers: Defective equipment can cause injury, and in these cases, manufacturers may have the fault.
Engineers: Engineers frequently oversee construction projects, and it is their job to maintain a certain level of safety and verify that certain standards are being maintained.

A Columbus industrial accident lawyer can help you understand what kinds of legal actions you can take if you have a personal injury case from a construction accident.

What to Do If You Have Been Injured in a Construction Accident

To ensure that your case is as strong as it can be, you should take some precautions to make sure you jeopardize your case.

Always report on-the-job injuries. You’ll want to promptly go to a superior or company official to make sure your injury is on the record. Waiting could weaken your case.
Seek medical help. Again, you want to get your injury on the record and establish what has happened right away.
Keep a file of information related to the case so that nothing gets lost.
If you see anything relevant, taking pictures can ensure you have evidence and help your lawyers piece together information about your case.
Before settling, it’s always wise to seek a lawyer.

When you have a legal team, they can make sense of all the information you provide and start to assemble your case.

Workers’ Compensation in Ohio

Ohio is one of just four states that pays workers’ compensation through the state rather than through private insurance agencies. People can file their claims through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation using form U-3. When you file one of these claims, you will have to pay a fee, which will be at least $120. Some businesses may choose to insure themselves, but this is an unpopular choice, especially for small businesses, because it’s required to set money aside for potential claims.

In Ohio, workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. What this means is that if you are on the job when you are hurt, you don’t have to prove that your employer’s negligence caused your injury. It doesn’t matter who or what was responsible for your injury; you can file for workers’ compensation if you have been injured on the job in Ohio.

Special Considerations

While workers’ compensation will cover most of the expenses related to your injury, there are some instances where you can seek other legal action to get fair compensation for what has happened to you.

When you file workers’ compensation, you generally cannot file a lawsuit against your employer. There are very limited exceptions. You can also file a lawsuit if your employer commits an intentional tort, such as assault. In these cases, you can file both workers’ comp and then file a lawsuit against your employer.

You also may be able to file additional legal actions against other parties that have caused your accident through their negligence. For example, if your injury was caused by equipment failure, you may have a claim against the manufacturer of the equipment or against a company that maintains that equipment.

How a Columbus Construction Accident Injury Attorney Can Help You

We can help you by reviewing your case and helping you decide what steps you need to take going forward. Taking legal action of any kind can be intimidating, but at YD Legal, we want to ease your concerns and help you get the most compensation available. We can provide a Columbus construction accident lawyer who will tend to your needs. With a free consultation, we can discuss your case and answer any questions you may have.

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