Construction sites are a common fixture in the ever-evolving landscape of Minnetonka. As essential as they are for the development and progress of our community, they are equally riddled with potential hazards. Workers laboring amidst towering cranes, electrical lines, heavy machinery, and tight schedules are constantly exposed to severe accidents on these sites.
At Fields Injury Law, our Minnetonka construction accident lawyers recognize the severe consequences that these accidents can bring and are dedicated to providing robust legal representation to the injured workers of Minnetonka, ensuring they receive the compensation they deserve.
Why Choose Fields Injury Law for Your Construction Accident Claim?
Fields Injury Law is unwavering in its commitment to Minnesotans who have suffered injuries, especially at work. This dedication stems from a deep-seated understanding of the multifaceted challenges injured workers face.
We realize that your accident isn’t only the physical pain that your injuries cause — it’s also the emotional impact, the financial burden, and the lifestyle changes that may be necessary in the aftermath.
Our client representation is rooted in genuine care and attentive support. At Fields Injury Law, our priority is to truly listen, grasping the entire scope of your situation. This understanding enables us to tenaciously protect your rights and seek the compensation you rightfully deserve.
By entrusting your case to us, you benefit from the cohesive synergy of a dedicated team of legal professionals, all collaborating under one roof, meticulously addressing every facet of your claim.
Our proficiency is not just in words but evidenced in our extensive experience spanning workers’ compensation, long-term disability, and personal injury claims based on negligence. Each of these skill sets offers its unique set of benefits to an injured worker, and we possess the nuanced understanding to maximize the benefits we offer you based on the specifics of your case.
What truly sets Fields Injury Law apart is our results-driven approach. Our established track record speaks volumes of our commitment to not just fight for our clients' rights but also to safeguard their long-term well-being.
While we acknowledge that not everyone might feel the need for legal representation, we firmly believe in the universal right to quality legal advice and its necessity. In fulfilling this belief, Fields Injury Law stands proud as Minnesota's trusted ally for injured or disabled workers.
Construction Site Accidents in Minnetonka
While this industry is foundational to Minnetonka's growth and infrastructure development, it is, unfortunately, also a domain fraught with potential hazards.
Every year, over 5,000 construction workers in the United States are fatally wounded as a result. In Minnesota, construction accounts for the second-highest number of workplace fatalities, superseded only by the trade, transportation, and utilities industries.
The repercussions extend beyond the immediate physical trauma. Victims frequently grapple with mounting medical bills, prolonged rehabilitation, lost wages, and an uncertain future. In most of these cases, injured employees will require time off work, job transfer, a restriction in job activities, or all of the above.
For these reasons, you need legal representation, both for your immediate recovery prospects and your long-term stability. We aim to understand the exact nature of your specific injury and craft a strategy to help you achieve the best results possible.
Common Types of Construction Site Accidents
Minnesota has its own statutes that regulate the occupational safety conditions of workers, including in the construction sector. However, accidents can and will happen, despite these protocols. According to the Bureau of U.S. Labor Statistics, some common types of construction site accidents in Minnesota include:
Falls, Slips, and Trips
A consistent danger on construction sites, these falls can result in head traumas, spinal injuries, fractures, or even fatalities, especially when landing on hard surfaces or being struck by falling objects. Such falls, even if seemingly minor, can still lead to sprains, fractures, or traumatic brain injuries.
Exposure to Harmful Substances or Environments
Workers coming into contact with live wires or electrical systems may suffer from severe burns, cardiac arrest, or muscle, nerve, and tissue damage. Harmful chemicals also present a hazard and may contribute to burns and skin injuries as well as respiratory conditions and certain illnesses.
Machinery and Scaffolding Accidents
Heavy machinery, if not operated or maintained correctly, can lead to accidents. These might include getting caught in machinery, leading to potential amputations or deep cuts. Improperly erected or maintained scaffolding can lead to falls or scaffold collapse, causing injuries from high falls or being struck by falling equipment.
Fires and Explosions
Faulty gas lines, mishandled flammable materials, or electrical faults can lead to fires or explosions, resulting in burns, smoke inhalation, or blast injuries.
Your Options to Recover Compensation After a Construction Site Accident
In general, injured construction workers have two primary options for recovering compensation after an accident; workers’ compensation and third-party claims.
Workers' Compensation
Workers' compensation insurance covers medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and a portion of lost income for workers injured on the job, irrespective of who was at fault.
- Typically, workers do not need to prove their employer was negligent. As long as the injury occurred during the course of employment, they can claim benefits.
- There's usually a cap on the benefits one can receive.
- By accepting workers' comp, you might be foregoing the right to sue your employer for negligence.
Third-Party Liability
In situations where your injury was caused by someone other than your employer or a coworker, such as a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or another unrelated party, you may have the grounds to file a third-party liability claim.
- Unlike workers' comp, to claim compensation in third-party liability cases, you need to prove the third party was at fault.
- These claims can cover a wider range of damages, including pain and suffering, total lost wages, and future medical expenses.
If Both Your Employer and a Third Party Are at Fault
If both your employer and a third party are at fault for your injury, the third party can ask your employer to cover part of the damages. However, the employer can avoid this by giving up their right to get back the workers’ compensation they gave you.
In other words, when someone gets hurt at work because of a third party, they can either sue that third party or get benefits from their employer, but not both. If they sue, the damages get split in a certain way. If they get benefits, their employer might then sue the third party. If both the employer and third party are at fault, they might share the costs.
Whether your route to recovery involves a third-party claim or workers’ compensation, you should seek advice from a trusted Minnetonka workers’ compensation attorney before making these decisions. Your lawyer can help you ensure that you’re getting the most out of your compensation and will advocate for your rights throughout the process.
Compensation in Third-Party Construction Accident Claims
When you suffer an injury, be it at work, in an accident, or due to someone else's negligence, our lawyers can explain the types of compensation you might recover. Compensation isn't merely about covering medical bills but also helps cope with both immediate financial strains and long-term impacts of the injury.
Here's a general outline:
- Medical expenses: These encompass costs associated with hospital stays, doctor visits, surgeries, medications, therapies, and other medical treatments. You might be compensated for both current and past bills, as well as potential future treatments connected to the injury. Some injuries require physical or occupational therapy, or other forms of rehabilitation, to regain prior levels of functionality. Compensation can cover both short-term sessions and extended treatments, depending on the injury's severity.
- Lost income and benefits: If your injury keeps you from working, this compensation addresses the earnings and benefits you missed during that period. Both past and anticipated future wages can be covered, especially if your injury impacts your future earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering: This relates to the physical and emotional distress resulting from an injury. Its value is typically based on the injury's severity and its long-term effects.
- Loss of consortium: Should your injury affect your relationship with your spouse or children, you could recover compensation for diminished companionship and affection. This type of damage may also apply in cases involving the wrongful death of a worker.
- Property damage: If any personal property, like your car or other belongings, got damaged due to the event causing your injury, compensation can be sought for either repairs or replacements.
- Permanent disability or disfigurement: In cases where the injury results in a lasting disability or changes your appearance, compensation can reflect the long-term implications and gravity of these changes.
- Wrongful death: If negligence leads to someone's death, the deceased's family might qualify for compensation, covering aspects like funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional trauma.
How Fields Injury Law Can Help
At Fields Injury Law, our primary goal is to advocate for our clients, ensuring they receive the compensation they rightfully deserve. With a rich legal background in workers' compensation cases and personal injury law, our attorneys are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of such claims, advocating fiercely for our clients' rights.
Thorough Investigation and Legal Guidance
We start with a free consultation where potential clients can discuss their situation with our workers’ comp attorneys. This helps us understand the specifics of your case and offer preliminary advice.
Our experienced team can assist you in evaluating whether a workers' comp claim or a third-party claim is the most suitable choice for your particular situation, weighing the pros and cons of each option and ensuring you're on the right path from the outset. After taking up the case, our team thoroughly evaluates all aspects of the incident, collecting relevant documents, evidence, and witness statements.
Liability Assessment
If you're pursuing a third-party claim, our legal team meticulously investigates to determine liability. We identify responsible parties and build a robust case against them. Our attorneys excel at reaching fair settlements through negotiations, sparing clients the strain and expense of a trial when feasible. Should negotiations falter, our team diligently prepares for trial. We tenaciously represent our clients in court, ensuring their rights are preserved, and their voices resonate.
Fields Injury Law is committed to acting in our client's best interests at all times, guaranteeing they receive the justice and compensation they deserve. We invite you to choose us as an ally who will stand firmly in protecting your rights and interests following a construction site accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I qualify for compensation?
As an injured worker, your employer is obligated to offer workers’ comp insurance. However, if someone else's negligence or direct actions injured you, you might qualify for a third-party claim. In this case, eligibility often depends on the situation and local laws. Our Minnesota construction accident attorneys can determine your options for compensation.
What should I do immediately after an injury?
Ensure your safety first, and seek medical attention if needed. Document the incident, gather evidence, and follow your doctor’s orders. You may need to report the incident to Minnesota OSHA, depending on its nature and severity. Consult an attorney as soon as possible to understand your rights and potential next steps.
Fields Injury Law is Ready to Help You Seek Justice
Our experienced personal injury lawyers in Minnesota stands ready to guide, support, and fight for you every step of the way. Don’t wait another day — secure the compensation and peace of mind you deserve. Call us today at (612) 206-3495 or contact us online, and let's begin your journey to justice together.
