What to Do After a Construction Accident

As a construction worker, getting injured in a construction accident can threaten your livelihood. It can also prove incredibly expensive. Medical costs have skyrocketed in recent years; and, if you can’t pay your bills because you can’t work, you could quickly find yourself in a difficult financial situation. 

This makes it extremely important to ensure that you fully assert your legal rights. 

If you got injured working in construction, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. But, filing a claim for benefits also might not be your only option. You could have a claim outside of workers’ comp as well—and, if you do, you may be entitled to much more for your injury-related losses. 

5 Important Steps to Take After a Construction Accident in Arkansas 

With this in mind, here are five important steps to take after a construction accident in Arkansas: 

1. Seek Medical Attention Right Away 

Any time you get injured in an accident, seeking medical attention should be your top priority. Seeing a doctor as soon as possible will help ensure that the costs and other consequences of your injuries are no greater than necessary. 

But, when you get injured in a construction accident, seeking medical attention right away also serves another important purpose: It helps to document both the location and timing of your injury. Whether you have a claim for workers’ compensation benefits or a claim outside of workers’ compensation (or both), being able to prove where and when you got injured will be essential for asserting your legal rights. 

2. Try to Find Out if You Are Eligible for Workers’ Compensation 

Since you got injured on the job, you will want to find out if you are eligible for workers’ compensation. But, this is often easier said than done, especially in the construction industry. The law is complicated; and, unfortunately, you can’t necessarily rely on your employer to tell you the truth. Some employers don’t comply with the law, and some prioritize their profits over their workers’ wellbeing. 

If you are eligible for workers’ compensation, there are several steps you need to take to protect your right to benefits. For example, you need to report your accident to your employer, and you may need to see an approved doctor instead of seeing a doctor of your own choosing. A local construction accident lawyer can help, and you can trust your lawyer to advise you with your best interests in mind. 

3. Make Sure You Know What Workers’ Compensation Does and Doesn’t Cover 

If you have a claim for benefits, it will be important to make sure you know what workers’ compensation does and doesn’t cover. There are two reasons why:

• You need to make sure you are seeking the full workers’ compensation benefits you deserve; and, 
• You need to make an informed decision about whether to file a claim outside of workers’ compensation. 

Generally, workers’ compensation covers the costs of treatment until you recover or reach “maximum medical improvement,” and it covers a portion of your lost wages if you are unable to work for at least seven days. It does not provide full coverage for your lost wages, and it does not cover emotional trauma, pain and suffering, or other non-financial losses. However, you can seek just compensation for these losses if you have a personal injury claim outside of workers’ compensation. 

4. Write Down Everything You Can Remember About the Accident 

Whether you have a workers’ compensation claim, a personal injury claim, or both, it will be important for you to preserve as much information and evidence as possible. With this in mind, you should be sure to keep any photos or videos you took with your phone, and you should write down as many details as you can remember about the accident. 

5. Talk to a Construction Accident Lawyer About Your Legal Rights 

Finally, to ensure that you are making informed decisions and seeking the full compensation you deserve, you should talk to a construction accident lawyer about your legal rights. Hiring a lawyer to handle your construction accident case costs nothing out of pocket, and it is one of the most important steps you can take to make sure you don’t end up with less than you deserve. 

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Construction Accident Lawyer in Rogers, AR

Do you need to know more about protecting your legal rights after a construction accident in Arkansas? If so, we encourage you to contact us promptly. Our construction accident lawyers have extensive experience handling these complex cases. We are committed to helping our clients recover the maximum compensation they deserve for their physical, financial, and emotional losses.

Contact Oliver Law Firm today online or at 479-202-5200 for a FREE case evaluation. Our experienced construction accident lawyers represent clients across Arkansas and throughout the United States from our office in Rogers, AR.