North Carolina Construction Injury Lawyer

What is the most common back injury at work?

Working in construction can be a dangerous job. There are many hazards that employees face on a construction site that employees in other settings, such as an office, may never see. Just because the job entails a more dangerous setting than others, that doesn’t mean that construction workers should be exposed to unsafe conditions. A North Carolina construction injury lawyer or accident attorney can help you obtain compensation if you have been harmed on the job.

Construction Accidents

Construction sites can be hazardous in various ways. Between the machinery involved in the construction or demolition process, the buildings themselves, and other workers on the site, someone could be injured in many ways. Construction accidents can involve any of these variables and can range from minor injuries to broken bones to potentially even death. Either way, these types of accidents should not be taken lightly.

Some examples of accidents that can occur during construction include:

Slip-and-fall accidents. Construction sites can have loose flooring, debris left in walking paths, slippery surfaces, and more. Injuries caused by any of these situations can happen on a construction site.
Falls. In some cases, construction workers are required to work at dangerous heights where a fall can be dangerous and even life-threatening.
Electrocution. It is not uncommon for construction workers to come in contact with electrical risks, which can range from power cables to power lines to poorly maintained power tools.
Accidents involving machinery. Many types of machinery are often found and used at construction sites, such as forklifts and cranes. If a worker is struck by either of these, it can cause life-altering damage.

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance held by employers that allows you, as an employee, to receive benefits if you are injured on the job. There are many forms in which you may be eligible to receive compensation if you are injured, including the following:

Medical expenses. You may be able to have not only your immediate medical expenses covered but also continuing medical expenses such as physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Lost wages. In some cases, workers’ injuries are so severe that they are unable to return to work for a period of time. In instances like these, you may be able to recover the wages you would lose during that time.
Pain and suffering. You may be facing a lifetime of pain that will not go away as a result of your injury. In this case, you may be entitled to some form of compensation for your suffering.
Emotional trauma support. Sometimes, a physical injury can also include emotional damage to a person, especially for more severe and life-altering injuries. In cases like this, you may be able to receive compensation to cover therapy and mental health support.
Death or loss of a loved one benefits. In the case that an individual dies as a result of a workplace injury, a loved one may be able to recover benefits.

Reporting Injuries to Your Employer

It is an essential part of the process to report your injuries to your employer. If you fail to do so, you could be in danger of not receiving benefits at all. While the statute of limitations is the ultimate deadline for filing a claim, you still need to show that you have acted promptly and handled your situation with some urgency. Even if you are afraid of what your employer may say, it can help your case greatly by letting them know quickly.

Statute of Limitations on Work-Related Injuries

In North Carolina, a workers’ compensation claim cannot simply be filed at any time. There is a statute of limitations for when it must be filed, which is two years. This means that if you are planning to file a workers’ compensation claim, it must be done within two years from the date of the injury. If you do not file before the statute of limitations, you will most likely have your case thrown out and will not receive any compensation.

Filing a claim is a formal legal process. Even if you make your injury known to your employer, that is not the same as filing a claim. While filing a claim can be a somewhat simple process, it can still be greatly helpful to have legal assistance. Reaching out to an experienced lawyer to walk through the process with you can have great advantages.

How a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help

If you have been injured, it is helpful for many reasons to have someone you know, without a doubt, is on your side and will fight for you. Between your employer, your company, and the insurance company, it can be difficult to know if anyone really has your interests in mind. One of the important roles that a workers’ compensation attorney can play is giving you the confidence and peace of mind that they are fighting for you.

When you are injured, there are also many things on your plate, the primary one being recovery. It can be difficult to try to recover when you are also facing legal challenges. A lawyer can guide you through all of the paperwork, any potential meetings you may need to have, and anything else you may need to do to receive compensation.