Cornelius Construction Accident Lawyer

Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys is a Cornelius construction accident lawyer, representing individuals injured in construction accidents and incidents.

Our construction accident attorneys handle workers’ compensation and personal injury claims. We represent workers, management, contractors, and visitors to construction sites.

Most Common Construction Site Accidents in Cornelius, NC

Construction site accidents happen in various ways.

Falls, slips, trips

Falls are the leading cause of fatal work injuries in the construction sector, with 39.2% of construction fatalities caused by falls. About two-thirds of fatal falls were from six to 30 feet high. Portable ladders and stairs are involved in approximately 10% of fatal falling accidents.

Transportation accidents

In the construction industry, 22.3% of fatalities result from transportation accidents. These accidents may involve passenger vehicles, heavy trucks, and industrial equipment. Construction workers may be injured as vehicle passengers, while they are working near traffic, or while directing traffic. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatal crashes in work zones commonly involve rear-end collisions and speeding.

Harmful exposure

Harmful exposures in the construction industry can arise from asbestos, silica dust, lead, solvents, exhaust, mold, heavy metals, and other substances. Carbon monoxide poisoning poses significant health risks. Many materials may be poisonous, toxic, or corrosive.

Additionally, construction workers can be hurt by exposure to electricity. Eight percent of construction worker deaths are from electrocution.

Contact incidents

In one year, 150 construction deaths resulted from struck-by accidents in the United States, with an additional 14,000 non-fatal injuries occurring. Contact incidents include being struck by a vehicle, falling objects, tools, equipment, and non-transport vehicles.

Violence

Nine percent of deaths in the construction industry result from violence. Violence may involve strangers, customers, clients, and co-workers. Workplace violence includes assault, battery, homicide, violence with weapons, and acts that purposefully make co-workers unsafe.

Construction workers who risk injury

While construction workers have a variety of job titles and tasks, all construction workers face the risk of injury, including:

• Building construction, laborers, and helpers
• Roofing
• Plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
• Drywall and insulation
• Masonry
• Framing
• Painting
• Electricians
• Heavy equipment operators
• Carpentry
• Welding
• Installers, glass specialists
• Inspectors, safety managers, superintendents, and supervisors

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Construction Accident?

If you’re a construction worker injured on the job, you likely qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. North Carolina requires employers with three or more workers to have workers’ compensation insurance. Even if your employer tells you that you’re an independent contractor, that may not be the case. Workers’ compensation pays benefits without regard to fault.

Construction sites often involve contractors and unrelated traffic. These parties may also be liable when a construction accident causes injury.

Our construction accident attorneys in Cornelius will evaluate legal responsibility.

Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Construction Accident Claims

There are two avenues for construction accident compensation. Workers’ compensation is an insurance system designed to provide quick compensation to workers. In this system, you do not have to prove that your employer’s actions caused the accident. However, you must prove that the accident and injuries are work-related. Usually, workers’ compensation is the only means to receive compensation from your employer.

If someone other than the employer has fault, either through negligence or more serious misconduct, you may bring a personal injury claim. Like all personal injury claims, you must prove legal fault.

There are pros and cons to each type of claim, and our construction accident lawyers can evaluate what is best for your situation.

In addition to workers’ compensation and third-party construction accident claims, you may have accident and disability insurance to pay benefits.

What To Do Immediately After a Construction Injury

After a construction injury, address the emergency medical needs of any person injured. Take steps to avoid secondary injury from unstable structures or live electrical current.

Notify a manager or human resources. They should complete a written report and give you a copy.

Take photos of the accident scene and save anything related to the accident. Identify witnesses and ask them for statements.

Compensation Available in Cornelius Construction Accident Cases

Compensation available in a Cornelius construction accident case depends on the type of case and the losses the individual experiences.

Through workers’ compensation, you may receive the following:

• Replacement income (as a percentage of wages)
• Disability pay
• Medical care without cost

There are also related benefits and services, such as medical supplies, reimbursement for travel to medical care, and vocational rehabilitation.

In a personal injury claim, you may receive the following:

• Compensation for the cost of medical care
• Lost income and career compensation
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Disability, lost quality of life
• Emotional and mental anguish

Our Cornelius construction accident attorneys can ensure your claim is complete.

About Cornelius, NC

As a suburb of Charlotte, Cornelius sits along Lake Norman in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Home to 31,412, the area is fast-growing, with new construction projects throughout the region. The Cornelius area uses the 28031 zip code and area code 704. Nearby Huntersville uses the 704 area code.

Why Hire an Experienced Cornelius Construction Accident Lawyer

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that construction has the highest fatality rate among all industries. Workers may be left with physical pain, disability, and income loss. Workers have important rights, but the claims process can be complex.

Our lawyers can assist you with:

• Protecting your rights, preserving evidence, and knowing what to do next.
• Evaluating whether you should file for workers’ compensation, personal injury, or both.
• Calculating wages and compensation.
• Handling disputes about your ability to return to work.
• Reviewing situations where the employer doesn’t have workers’ compensation insurance or refuses to process paperwork for an injury. We represent undocumented workers.
• Answering questions of pre-existing injury and responding when care providers minimize your injury or treatment needed.
• Working through complex procedural issues, including making sure paperwork gets filed on time and following the steps to advance your case.
• Working with experts to build medical evidence.
• Answering your questions, giving you legal advice.

When you choose our construction site accident lawyers, you have a team of experienced professionals on your case. Our lawyers can identify the strengths of your case and address issues that may be particularly important.

Contact Us

For a free consultation with a Cornelius construction accident lawyer, call or message Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys.