Utah Construction Accident Guide
If you have been seriously injured on a job site, you may be wondering what you can do to recover. The Utah Construction Accident Guide was created by Swenson & Shelley Injury Attorneys to help injured workers obtain the maximum compensation they deserve.
Construction zones are naturally a dangerous place to be. Heavy machinery, raw material, and dangerous heights all make it such a hazardous environment. Whether you are a worker at the site or are a passerby who got hurt, you are eligible for a construction accident personal injury case. The nature of these cases is to reimburse you for the medical bills, lost wages, lost earning capability, and other accident-related expenses you’ve had to deal with. Our experienced Utah construction accident attorney is here to guide you through your case and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Common Types of Accidents and Injuries
As mentioned, there is a lot going on at a construction site so the types of accidents vary. All of the follow types of injuries are qualified as construction accidents. They include:
- Falling from heights (roofs, ladders, elevators, scaffolding, etc.)
- Collapsing of structures (trenches, buildings, etc.)
- Heavy machinery or equipment accidents (forklifts, cranes, etc.)
- Defective products or tools
- Electrical accidents
- Falling objects
The types of injuries that these accidents cause can be catastrophic. You might be able to recover from them over time, or you may have to have medical care for the rest of your life. The most common types of construction accident injuries include:
- Broken bones or fractures
- Burns
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury
- Cuts and laceration
- Exposure to toxic chemicals
- Nerve, tendon, or tissue damage
As you probably already know, these injuries are awful. They deserve the immediate attention of a medical professional, so make sure that is the first thing you consider after the dust settles.
First Steps After the Incident
As mentioned, medical attention is seriously important for two big reasons. Obviously you want to get better after your injury, so seeing a doctor is paramount. You should never wait to see a doctor because you run the risk of worsening your condition if you hold off on medical treatment. Also, you have to get to a doctor so that you can have your injuries documented officially. That will be a key element to your compensation. If you do not see a doctor, the insurance company could possibly deny your claim.
Another important thing that needs to happen soon after the accident is the collection of evidence. At the scene, you need to take photos and videos of what you think caused the accident. It is going to be excellent, hard evidence to show the insurance company what happened and how it caused you the world of hurt you are in. If you are too injured to do this, you can have a friend, coworker, or family member to do it for you. You can even call an attorney to have them come in and help you collect evidence from the scene of the accident.
What is also very important to do before you leave the construction zone is to report the incident to someone in charge. It might not be wise to just tell your coworker and then take off. You should be telling your supervisor or construction manager.
Avoiding the Insurance Company
When you go for compensation, it is not without obstacles. The insurance company is going to assign an adjuster to your case. They will reach out to you shortly after the accident, possibly while you’re still recovering from your injuries in the hospital. They will seem very helpful and friendly, but your full and fair compensation is not what is in their best interest. When they ask you for a recorded statement, you can tell them that you will not give them one. Your attorney can take over all communication for you with the insurance company.
Statute of Limitations
Utah is a state that has a little bit of a longer time limit to bring your construction accident claim or settle the claim in court. Your statute of limitations is four years from the date of the accident. If you try to bring a claim the day after that four years runs out, you will be barred from receiving compensation altogether, so being timely is important. The sooner you get to an attorney, the better off your case will be. Even waiting a year can be tricky. Your evidence will disappear quickly at a construction site because it is always changing. Your witnesses’ memories will get fuzzy over time and you don’t want to lose these key parts of your case.