Are you struggling with serious injuries after a construction accident in Sandy Springs, GA? An experienced Sandy Springs construction accident lawyer can help. At Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers, we have what it takes to help you fight for full compensation to cover medical bills and lost wages and help with your personal pain and suffering.
As leading advocates for workplace accident victims, we’ve recovered over $250 million in settlements and verdicts. We’re now ready to put our 75-plus years of experience to work for you.
We know Georgia’s personal injury and workers’ compensation laws inside and out. To learn how we can help with your case, call our law offices in Sandy Springs, Georgia, at 404-255-9000 to schedule a free consultation with a Sandy Springs construction accident attorney.
How Can Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers Help You Recover Compensation After a Construction Accident in Sandy Springs?
When you work in construction, you’re forced to take certain risks. In exchange, you expect to be protected in the event of accidents. While workers’ comp can provide a critical lifeline, the system isn’t as simple as it might initially seem. You may also deserve additional compensation.
Many injured construction workers quickly find that they’re challenged at every turn. Whether your rights are being challenged or you simply want to make sure you’re getting the full amount you deserve, Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers is here to help.
Our Sandy Springs personal injury lawyers can help by:
- Handling the paperwork and making sure you meet any deadlines
- Evaluating the facts
- Explaining your legal options and rights
- Protecting you if your employer claims your injuries aren’t work-related
- Challenging your doctor if they try to push you back to work too soon
- Assessing your injuries
- Determining how much money you should receive
- Fighting for you at any hearings and in court if necessary
Workplace injury claims can be tough to handle. You can trust that our Sandy Springs personal injury attorneys will put the full weight of our skills to work for you. Call us today to learn more.
How Common Are Construction Accidents in Georgia?
Georgia employers reported about 78,000 non-fatal workplace injuries to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2019, the last year that the state reported non-fatal injuries. About 4,900 construction workers were injured on the job that year.
Currently, Georgia only reports fatal workplace injuries to the BLS. In 2022, 209 Georgia workers lost their lives on the job. 34 of those deaths occurred in the construction industry.
What Do I Have to Prove to Recover Compensation After a Construction Accident in Sandy Springs?
Your burden of proof depends on the laws that apply in your case. Injured construction workers have two primary options: workers’ compensation and personal injury lawsuits.
Under Georgia law, your employer is required to provide you with workers’ compensation benefits if:
- Your employer had at least three employees
- You were an employee rather than an independent contractor
- You were injured because of something work-related
- You weren’t using drugs or alcohol
- Your actions didn’t amount to “willful misconduct”
- You comply with all procedural requirements
- You’re either unable to work completely or unable to earn as much as you did prior to the disability
You don’t have to prove that your employer was somehow responsible for your injuries to claim workers’ compensation benefits. In return, your employer is protected against lawsuits in most cases. That said, it is possible that you could have the right to file a lawsuit.
Standard of Proof in Personal Injury Lawsuits
You can file a lawsuit if you can prove that someone other than your employer or co-workers was somehow responsible. Personal injury cases typically require proof of negligence.
Negligence means:
- The at-fault party owed you a duty of care
- The duty of care was breached
- The at-fault party directly caused the accident
- You suffered damages
Employers aren’t always responsible for work-related accidents. For example, you could have a valid lawsuit if the construction site owner failed to adequately maintain their property or a negligent driver caused a motor vehicle accident while you were working.
What Is My Sandy Springs Construction Accident Case Worth?
Your construction accident claim depends on the following:
- How much you earned prior to the disability
- Whether you can work in any capacity during recovery
- The difference between what you can earn now and your pre-disability earnings
- The amount of time it takes to reach maximum medical improvement (MMI)
- Whether you remain impaired after reaching MMI
- Your permanent impairment rating
The identity of the at-fault party also impacts your case value. You can seek compensation for the full value of your losses in a personal injury lawsuit. Your weekly workers’ compensation check will only cover about two-thirds of your lost wages–and your check is limited to $800 per week under Georgia law, regardless of your prior earnings.
What Benefits Does Workers’ Compensation Offer in Georgia?
Workers’ compensation is designed to help you offset your financial losses. Workers’ comp covers all of your reasonable medical expenses. That includes ER visits, hospital stays, doctor’s appointments, medications, and rehabilitation.
You may also qualify for disability benefits if you miss time from work.
Disability benefits depend on the nature of your injuries, and may include:
- Temporary total disability benefits if you cannot work due to your injuries
- Temporary partial disability benefits if you can perform some work but you can’t earn as much as you usually would
- Permanent partial disability benefits if you suffer a permanent impairment
- Lifetime disability benefits if you’re never able to work again due to a catastrophic injury
If you lost a loved one in a fatal construction accident, workers’ comp also provides death benefits to the victim’s surviving dependents.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Construction Accident Victims Under Georgia Personal Injury Laws?
In personal injury cases, you can recover compensation for any identifiable loss you have suffered. That includes economic damages and non-economic damages.
Some examples include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and employee benefits
- Lost future earning capacity
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Inconvenience
- Shame and humiliation
- Loss of consortium
Our Sandy Springs construction accident attorneys can help you understand whether you’re eligible to seek compensation above what workers’ comp provides. Give us a call today for your free case review.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Construction Accident Lawyer?
Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers charges contingency fees. Instead of worrying about upfront retainer fees or hourly rates, you pay a fixed percentage of your final compensation award.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Construction Accident in Georgia?
Workers’ compensation is an independent system. With limited exceptions, you don’t have to worry about sharing some blame for your injuries.
In personal injury cases, Georgia’s modified comparative negligence law prevents you from recovering compensation if your share of fault exceeds 49%. Your damages can be reduced if you share less fault.
Construction Accidents Often Leave Victims With Debilitating Injuries
Our lawyers in Sandy Springs handle all types of construction injury cases, including those involving:
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Dislocations
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Injuries caused by repetitive motions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Musculoskeletal injuries
- Organ damage
- Occupational diseases
- Burns
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Seeking prompt medical attention is critical. If you wait to see a doctor, your recovery could be much worse. It will also give the workers’ compensation insurance companies an opportunity to challenge your right to benefits.
We Handle All Types of Construction Accidents Claims in Sandy Springs
At Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers, we handle construction accident cases involving all types of situations, including:
- Scaffolding accidents
- Accidents where workers are caught between objects
- Electrocutions
- Slip and fall accidents
- Ladder falls
- Excavation accidents
- Demolition accidents
- Trenching accidents
- Heavy machinery accidents, including crane and forklift accidents
- Defective equipment accidents
- Accidents involving falling objects
- Nail gun accidents
- Truck accidents and other vehicle accidents
- Fires and explosions
Get in touch with our team today if you were injured on the job. We’ll help you determine the cause of your injuries and help you fight for a full compensation award.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Claim for Compensation After a Construction Accident in Georgia?
Notify your employer as soon as possible after a construction injury. If you fail to notify your employer or a supervisor within 30 days, you risk losing your right to workers’ compensation benefits. After the initial notification, however, you have one year to file a Form WC-14 with the workers’ compensation board.
In personal injury cases, the statute of limitations is two years.
Contact a Sandy Springs Construction Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you were injured on a construction site in Sandy Springs, GA, reach out to Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers today. Recovering fair compensation is rarely simple or easy. Our Sandy Springs construction accident lawyer can fight to make sure you receive every available dollar.