Georgia Injury Law Blog
A construction worker was killed last week in a workplace accident at a high school site in Atlanta.The man had been working on an addition project at a school in south Atlanta, when he fell 20 feet from a hydraulic lift.
According to authorities, the entire accident was triggered when a piece of metal pipe fell from the ceiling of the addition, and crashed into the lift which was holding the worker.The impact caused the lift to jerk, and the worker fell about 20 feet below onto the pavement.He sustained serious injuries, and died.
According to news reports, the victim worked for a subcontractor on the project.The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has begun an investigation into the accident.In the meantime, the site has been temporarily shut down. See Worker Killed in Fall.
The construction sector is one of the most dangerous workplaces for workers in the United States. Out of every three worker accident deaths every year, one occurs in the construction industry.There are a number of ways that a worker could be injured on a construction site.Workers may be injured in slip and fall accidents, or by falling debris.They may be injured in accidents involving construction equipment, like forklifts. Construction workers are also at a higher risk of electrocution involving high-tension overhead and underground power lines.
Fall accidents are some of the most frequent causes of injuries on a construction site.The shocking part is that these accidents can be so easily prevented.The use of fall protection gear, personal protection systems, guardrails, and railings can help reduce the risk of falls.Workers can also be trained to avoid fall accidents.
No matter how your construction fall accident occurs, you may be eligible for compensation under Workers’ Compensation Insurance.Workers’ Compensation laws do not require that your accident be the result of your employer’s negligence or the negligence of your coworkers for you to be eligible for compensation.Every injured worker is entitled to Workers’ Compensation benefits.
However, it is important for you to begin the process of filing your Workers’ Compensation claim as quickly as possible.As soon as you have been injured, make sure that you receive proper medical care and attention for your injuries.Your injury must be treated by a doctor or physician who has been approved by your employer to treat injured workers.
Make sure that the injury is reported to your supervisor immediately.If you fail to report the injury in a timely manner, you may not be eligible to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits.After you have received medical care, complete the paperwork that is necessary to make a Workers’ Compensation claim and submit it.
In addition to having a workers’ compensation claim, if a third party who is not your employer or someone employed by your employer caused the injury, you also have a right to sue that person or company. A “third-party” action will allow you to recover pain and suffering, lost wages and medical expenses. If a co-worker or your employer caused the injury, you are only entitle to workers’ compensation benefits.
Unfortunately, disagreements over Workers’ Compensation arise far more frequently than workers know.That’s why it can help to seek the counsel of an Atlanta Workers’ Compensation lawyer before you begin filing your claim.