Working in the construction industry unquestionably puts people at risk of serious injury, and if you have ever visited a construction site, you will not be surprised that construction jobs consistently rank among the most dangerous jobs in the United States. Construction projects often involve the use of heavy machinery, power tools, working from significant heights, open excavations, demolition, and are generally loud and chaotic. When accidents occur at construction sites, workers can often sustain extremely serious injuries that can have long-term consequences. Fortunately, in most cases, injured workers are legally entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to cover their medical expenses and lost income after an injury that occurs at work.

At The Law Offices of Steven M Krause PA our skilled and aggressive attorneys regularly represent the rights of workers that sustain a wide variety of serious injuries, some of which are discussed below. To learn more about how we can help you, call our office today.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries, which are often referred to as TBIs, happen when a person hits or jolt his or her head hard enough to cause a problem with the way the brain normally functions.  A concussion is the most common kind of mild TBI, but they can also be much more serious and involve wounds in which an object penetrates the skull. In particularly severe cases, TBI victims can develop cognitive impairments that may prevent them from working or being able to live without assistance. There are many ways that a traumatic brain injury could occur at construction site, including the following:

• Falls from heights;
• Slip and fall accidents;
• Motor vehicle accidents;
• Getting hit in the head by an object; and
• Explosions.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are among the most serious type of injury that you could ever experience. The spinal cord is the bundle of nerves that is responsible for allowing the brain to communicate with the rest of the body, and any damage to it could potentially interfere with this communication. Spinal cord injuries are grouped into one of two categories: complete and incomplete. In a complete spinal cord injury, victims generally have lost all sensation and function below the site of the injury. On the other hand, in a complete injury, there is still some function remaining. With the current state of modern medicine, there is little hope of recovery from a complete spinal cord injury, and many victims suffer from paralysis for the rest of their lives.

Burns

Burns are another common serious injury sustained in construction site accidents. Any number of incidents, including accidents involving welding equipment, exposure to chemicals, electrical fires, and explosions, can cause them. Serious burns can be extremely painful, require months of intensive medical treatment, and leave victims with significant permanent scarring.

Hearing Loss

Construction sites can be extremely loud places. Between jackhammers, heavy machinery, generators, chainsaws, compressed air blowers, and other equipment commonly found at a construction site, you may be exposed to several sources of potentially damaging noise each day you go to work. Repeated and long-term exposure to loud noises has been shown to cause hearing loss, and it cannot be corrected or cured. Construction workers who have worked for a number of years in the industry often suffer from job-related hearing loss, often entitling them to significant workers’ compensation benefits.

Do I Need an Attorney To Get Workers’ Compensation Benefits after a Serious Injury?

If you have sustained a serious injury like the ones mentioned above while working, you may wonder if you have to hire an attorney to obtain your workers’ compensation benefits. It is certainly true that there is no rule requiring injured workers’ to retain a lawyer and, in many simple cases, employees will be to obtain their benefits without the assistance of a lawyer. That being said, if you have been seriously injured at work or developed a work-related medical condition, it is highly advisable to retain an attorney as soon as possible.

It is important to understand that workers’ compensation claims are paid out by insurance companies or employers that are trying to minimize the amount that they pay, even on valid claims. For this reason, they are much more likely to contest a claim that involves a serious injury that could require years of treatment or even permanent disability benefits then they are they claim associated with a less serious injury. For this reason, it is critical for seriously injured workers to speak with an attorney immediately. Some of the specific ways in which a lawyer can help you after a workplace injury include the following:

• Determine whether your injury or illness qualifies for workers’ compensation;
• Help you file your initial claim;
• Provide any additional documentation that your employer or the insurance company may request;
• File an appeal should if your claim is denied; and
• File a lawsuit, if necessary or appropriate

Remember, You may Also Have a Third-Party Claim

Generally speaking, workers’ compensation is the exclusive remedy available to people who are injured in workplace accidents – in exchange for guaranteed benefits, employees are almost always unable to sue their employers for workplace injuries. In some cases, however, you may be able to sue a third party for negligence after an accident, such as when another driver caused a work-related car crash or if defective equipment resulted in your injury. Because the compensation from a personal injury case can far exceed what is available through workers’ compensation, you should always have your case reviewed by an attorney after a workplace accident.

Contact a South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today to Discuss Your Case

If you have been injured while working on a construction project, there is a good chance that you are eligible for significant workers’ compensation benefits.  While you may be legally entitled to benefits, the process of actually getting them can be complicated and workers’ compensation insurers may try various tactics to avoid paying out on your claim. Fortunately, the assistance of an attorney can help you make sure that you receive all of the benefits to which you are entitled as quickly as possible. To schedule a consultation with one of our Anderson, South Carolina workers’ compensation attorneys, call our office today.

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• 207 E. Calhoun St. Anderson, SC 29621
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Steven M. Krause

Steven Krause is a personal injury, auto accident, and workers’ compensation lawyer who practices in Anderson, SC. He graduated form the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law and has been practicing law for 40 years now. Steven Krause believes in fighting for the injured. Learn more about his experience here.