A construction accident can prove absolutely devastating. Construction sites pose a significant danger to workers and visitors alike, from falling objects to potentially dangerous equipment. In fact, construction workers face a higher rate of injury on the job than many other professions. Unfortunately, when you suffer an accident at your workplace, you may not have the protection of workers’ comp. Talk to a Pasadena, TX construction accident lawyer to understand your rights.
Texas Non-Subscriber Laws
Under Texas law, employers do not have to enroll in workers’ compensation coverage for their employees. Non-subscribers can face claims directly from their employees in the event of an accident, particularly if they fail to provide a safe workplace, training, and equipment for those employees. A construction accident lawyer can prove essential in protecting the rights of Pasadena workers injured on a job site.
Recovering Compensation After a Construction Accident
An accident on a construction site can mean devastating injuries. Employees can face electrical burns, chemical burns, fall injuries, crushing damage, and even amputations as a result of faulty equipment, a dangerous work environment, or improper training. As a result, bills can quickly rise. Workers may have the right to recover compensation from:
- Their employer
- Another company working on the job site, when that company’s negligence led to the incident
- The owner of the job site
- The manufacturer or owner of damaged or faulty equipment
A construction accident lawyer can help injured workers review the causes of the incident so that they can pursue a claim against all parties that may share liability, increasing the odds that they will recover fair compensation for their losses.
Damages in Construction Accident Claims
When workers suffer injuries in a construction accident with an employer who opts out of workers’ comp coverage, they have the right to recover the same compensation they would when filing a claim against a third party. Claims often include compensation for:
- The cost of any medical treatment the injured party needs because of the incident
- The anticipated cost of future medical care, in cases where the injured worker will need ongoing procedures or assistance because of their injuries
- Lost wages for the time the worker could not work because of their injuries
- Lost earning potential, when a worker suffers injuries that will permanently prevent them from returning to their previous job
- Pain and suffering, including both the physical pain and emotional anguish related to the job
Despite the fact that employers choose to take responsibility for the possibility of those injuries when they opt out of workers’ compensation coverage, employers may fight to avoid paying out the full compensation an injured worker deserves. Working with an attorney can prove essential to a fair claim.
Contact a Pasadena, TX Lawyer to Discuss Your Construction Accident Claim
If you suffered injuries on a construction site, including injures suffered as a worker, do not try to handle your claim on your own. Employers often try to avoid taking full accountability for the damages sustained by their employees, which can leave you without the funds you need to cover your bills in the aftermath of a devastating accident. At Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, we understand the challenges you can face in dealing with your employer when you sustained injuries on the job. Contact a Pasadena construction accident lawyer at our office to discuss your next steps.
