Working in construction takes a special kind of toughness. You not only depend on the knowledge and expertise you’ve acquired over the years, but also on your physical strength and resilience. Still, no matter how tough you are, injuries can happen.
When you get hurt on the construction site, your whole livelihood is suddenly in jeopardy. You can’t go to work, you can’t pay your bills, and you’re not sure what happens next. Our Lake Charles construction accident lawyers can help.
At Galloway Jefcoat Injury Attorneys, our Lake Charles personal injury lawyers have been advocating for injured victims since 1996. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and tell us what happened.
Do You Need an Attorney for a Construction Accident Case?
With few exceptions, it is smart to speak with an experienced lawyer whenever you are injured due to circumstances that weren’t your fault. This is especially important in construction accident cases, where you are injured on the job.
How you handle your case depends on the circumstances of the accident. In most cases, you’ll have a workers’ compensation claim. However, in some situations, you may need to consider legal action against your employer.
Navigating these decisions is complicated and requires a deep understanding of applicable laws. A Lake Charles construction accident attorney can help with many aspects of your case. Some of the benefits of working with our lawyers include the following:
Legal Advice
We’ll explain your legal rights and options so you have a full understanding of your situation and can make decisions accordingly. You’ll have the peace of mind of knowing you have a partner looking out for your best interests.
Case Management
We can file claims, manage paperwork, ensure you meet important deadlines, and prevent you from making errors that could jeopardize your legal standing. We’ll communicate with the insurance companies on your behalf so you can focus on your recovery.
Accident Investigation
We will investigate the circumstances of your accident to determine what happened and if there are additional liable parties. We may refer to incident reports, security footage, or witness testimony to get the information we need to form our strategy.
Compensation Assessment
We’ll review your damages and calculate a maximum compensation number we’ll use for your claim and settlement negotiations. Our goal is to make sure you receive fair compensation that fully covers your damages and gets you on the path to a better future.
Settlement Negotiations
Our attorney will negotiate on your behalf for a fair settlement. Ideally, this is all it will take to get you the money you need to pay your bills and recover from your injury. However, sometimes insurance companies seem to prefer to do things the hard way.
Courtroom Representation
While it is usually best for all parties if we can resolve your case through negotiations, we aren’t going to back away from a fight. If need be, we can file civil charges on your behalf and take your case to court.
Affordable Services
We work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing up front, and we take our fees and costs out of your final award. This makes our services affordable for almost anyone, which is important when you are up against powerful insurance companies.
"I have used Galloway Jefcoat a few times and have always been very satisfied. Furthermore, all of the people who work there are very professional, nice, and courteous."
Workers’ Compensation for Construction Accidents
Louisiana’s workers’ compensation program is designed to ensure that injured workers get the medical care and financial help they need without having to prove negligence on the part of their employer. An injured worker must report the injury and follow the proper procedures to file a claim.
The Louisiana Workforce Commission oversees the workers’ compensation system, but your employer must carry workers’ comp insurance in case you are injured on the job. This covers lost wages and medical expenses as well as vocational rehab and even death benefits.
That means a successful workers’ comp claim can help you avoid legal action. However, your employer’s insurance may deny your claim, or you may have additional grounds to pursue civil action against your employer. The help of a lawyer is essential in deciphering your legal options.
"Galloway Jefcoat are amazing professionals who are very client focused. They will guide you thru all the details to help get your litigation solved. I was involved in a crash that ultimate required a knee replacement"
Can You Sue Your Employer if You are Injured in a Construction Accident?
In Louisiana, workers’ compensation provides support for workplace injuries. In most cases, you must rely on workers’ comp for the assistance you need with wage replacement and medical care. However, in very specific situations, you may have an avenue for suing your employer.
Intentional Acts
If you believe your employer caused your injury through intentional actions beyond the scope of negligence or recklessness, you may have cause for a civil suit.
This can mean they were involved in actions that intentionally caused a dangerous situation, or that they knew about a dangerous circumstance but failed to prevent it.
No Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Per the Louisiana Workforce Commission, with rare exceptions, all employers are required to carry workers’ compensation coverage for their employees. If yours does not, you may be able to sue them directly for damages.
Third-Party Liability
While you usually can’t sue your employer, you may be able to sue third parties that played a role in your injury. For example, equipment manufacturers or subcontractors who contributed to your injury may be liable.
If you believe your accident and injury fall into any of the above categories, it is important to speak with a construction accident lawyer in Lake Charles for advice and clarification of applicable laws.
"As a client of Galloway Jefcoat for over two years I want to take a minute to say how much I appreciate the team handling my case."
Contact a Lake Charles Construction Accident Attorney
Workplace injuries are always hard to handle, but when you make your living working on construction sites, it only takes one incident to change your life. Even minor injuries can sideline you for weeks, all while your medical bills are piling up.
You may be able to rely on workers’ compensation, but in some cases, you’ll need to take action to hold your company or other parties liable for your injuries. Our Lake Charles construction accident attorneys can help you get the compensation you need to begin to reclaim your life.
Our team at Galloway Jefcoat excels at turning wrong into right. Call today for a free consultation and find out how we can help with your construction accident case.
"Galloway Jefcoat helped me at a time when I felt lost and taken advantage of by my employer."