Have you suffered a construction accident injury in Baltimore, Maryland? Our Baltimore construction accident lawyers at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers can help you get the financial justice you deserve for your injury. Contact our Baltimore law office today at (410) 837-2144 for a free consultation and learn more about what we can do for you.
Our legal team has decades of experience in personal injury law. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and more. You can rest assured your case will be in competent, trustworthy hands.
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How WGK Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Construction Accident in Baltimore, MD
If you were injured in a construction accident, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation or a personal injury claim, depending on the circumstances. However, insurers can—and will—fight your claim. Dealing with complex legal matters is the last thing you should have to worry about; let us focus on getting you compensation while you focus on your health and quality of life.
When you retain the services of WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, you are getting three generations of lawyers born and raised right here in Baltimore. We have been representing injured workers and battling insurance companies for over 40 years. We’ve already recovered millions of dollars for individuals and families in Baltimore.
When you hire our personal injury lawyers, you can expect us to:
- Sit down with you to hear your side of what happened
- Collect evidence from the scene of the accident
- Examine company training manuals to ensure compliance
- Communicate with all parties involved, including hospitals
- Handle paperwork relating to your claim
- Negotiate with the insurance company
- Determine whether a third party is to blame for the accident
- Keep you updated and in the loop as to the progress of your case
- Represent you in court if we are unable to secure a fair settlement offer
At WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, we believe a strong attorney-client relationship can go a long way towards helping you win fair compensation. That is why we treat you like family and work closely with you to get the best possible outcome. Call our law firm in Baltimore, Maryland, today to schedule your free consultation and plan next steps.
Overview of Maryland Construction Accidents
Construction site accidents can be a particularly severe type of personal injury. Employers have a responsibility to ensure that workplaces are in compliance with health and safety guidelines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
According to OSHA, Maryland is what is known as a “state plan” state. OSHA has given Maryland authority to implement a state-level regulatory program to oversee occupational safety and health. Although construction can be a dangerous profession, most construction site accidents can be prevented through proper safety measures and increased precautions.
Common Causes of Construction Accidents in Maryland
Every construction site is different, and as a result, the causes of construction site accidents will differ as well. With machinery, heights, and heavy objects in play, construction sites can trigger many injuries.
However, there are some construction accidents that happen on a regular basis. OSHA identifies them as “The Fatal Four.” These accidents account for over half of construction deaths and injuries.
According to OSHA, the fatal four causes of construction accidents are:
- Falls
- Being struck by an object
- Electrocution
- Being caught/stuck in between or under machinery
There are many other common causes of construction accidents in Maryland, including:
- Working with a defective product
- Faulty ladders
- Lack of protective gear, such as hardhats and gloves
- Lack of sufficient or proper training
- Leaving objects unsecured
- Slip and fall
- Explosions due to exposed wiring or gas leaks
- Problems with scaffolding
- Repetitive movements that strain the body
If you experienced an injury at a construction site, we can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Hiring a personal injury lawyer to focus on your legal matters can help you focus on your health and well-being.
Common Injuries Caused by Construction Accidents in Baltimore, MD
Some of the most common injuries caused by construction accidents in Maryland include:
- Amputations
- Burns from fires or electrocution
- Broken bones
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Deep lacerations and cuts
- Being impaled
- Exposure to radiation or poisonous chemicals/gas
- Loss of hearing or sight
- Joint injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Did you suffer one of these construction injuries in the course of your work? If so, our Baltimore personal injury attorneys at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers are here to help. Call our Baltimore office today to schedule your free consultation to go over your case and strategize on next steps.
How Can I Recover Compensation After a Construction Accident in Maryland?
If your employer does not subscribe to a workers’ compensation program, you can sue the employer directly for compensation.
Otherwise, your two main options for financial awards are from a workers’ compensation claim and/or filing a lawsuit against a third party.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Employers in Maryland often carry a form of insurance called “workers’ compensation” to cover the financial needs of workplace accident victims.
Workers’ compensation only offers medical benefits, income benefits, and death benefits. These expenses could include:
- Hospital bills
- Lost wages
- Disability benefits, both partial and total
- Rehabilitation
- Ongoing medical care
- Death benefits for survivors
Workers’ compensation does not cover non-economic losses related to your accident. Likewise, it will not cover:
- Injuries caused by intoxication or drugs
- Injuries from company policy violations
- Independent contractor injuries
- Injuries claimed after firing or layoff
- Self-inflicted injuries
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system; you should be entitled to money for your injuries, regardless of whether you caused them. Still, we know how difficult it can be to deal with the administrative process for filing a claim.
We’ll take over tasks such as:
- Staying on top of delayed benefits and keeping your case moving
- Appealing denied benefits
- Proving the injury was not due to a pre-existing condition
- Gathering evidence that you qualify for workers’ compensation
- Arguing against any claims of fraud or fake injury
- Consulting with medical experts to show that any delayed symptoms are the result of the accident
Our attorneys understand the workers’ compensation process through and through, and we can help you make your case effectively. Partnering with our Baltimore construction accident attorneys offers you the best chance for a positive outcome.
Third-Party Claims
Workers’ compensation gives you automatic benefits for a workplace injury. In exchange, you relinquish your right to sue your employer for your injuries. However, you may be able to pursue a personal injury suit against a negligent third party.
The following are third parties that could be responsible for your injuries:
- Contractors and subcontractors
- Site owners
- Architects
- Engineers
- Product and equipment manufacturers
Third-party lawsuits after a construction accident offer you an opportunity to receive greater coverage for your losses than workers’ compensation alone. For example, workers’ compensation does not pay for your non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
In a personal injury suit, you must prove the third-party was negligent to recover damages. Negligence requires proof that:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- The defendant breached this duty
- The breach caused your accident
- You suffered damages
Our lawyers will conduct an independent investigation into your accident to gather evidence of the other party’s fault. We may use video evidence, company manuals, eyewitness or expert testimony, and more. We can also help you identify possible third-party entities.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blame for My Workplace Accident?
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. You can recover compensation for your work accident even if you are at fault, unless an exception applies.
Maryland personal injury law works differently. Maryland is one of only a few states that follows a “contributory negligence rule.” This harsh rule will prevent you from recovering damages if you share any fault for your injuries.
How Long Do I Have To File a Work Accident Claim in Maryland?
Injured workers have only 10 days to notify their employer in writing of a workplace injury entitling them to workers’ compensation. The injured worker will then have 60 days to file their claim.
If the injury was fatal, surviving family members have 30 days to notify the employer and 18 months to file their claim.
For a personal injury suit, injury victims have three years from the date of their injury to sue for a construction accident. The time limit is the same for wrongful death suits.
Contact a Baltimore Construction Accident Lawyer Today
At WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, we have extensive experience representing clients who have sustained construction accident injuries. We put the full strength of our firm behind every case we handle, and we know how to win. Let us manage the legal maneuverings so you can focus on healing and getting back to your old self.
Contact our Baltimore law office today to schedule your free consultation and speak to one of our skilled personal injury lawyers to discuss your case.
Our Baltimore, MD personal injury law firm also offers:
- Car Accident Lawyers in Baltimore, MD
- Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers in Baltimore, MD
- Baltimore, MD Dog Bite Lawyers
- Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Baltimore, MD
- Baltimore, MD Aviation Accident Attorneys
- Baltimore, MD Medical Malpractice Lawyer
- Maritime Accident Lawyers in Baltimore, MD
- Baltimore, MD Wrongful Death Lawyers
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office In Baltimore, MD
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers – Baltimore Office
14 W Madison St, Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 837-2144
Open 24 hours
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