Have you been injured on a construction site in Baltimore, Maryland? You likely have many questions about your legal rights and options. The Baltimore construction accident attorneys at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers are here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
With over 80 years of combined experience and tens of millions recovered for our clients in the area to date, you can depend on us to help you make the most of your claim for compensation. Below, we answer some of the most common questions we receive about construction accident claims in Baltimore, Maryland.
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How Can WGK Personal Injury Lawyers Help Me Take Action After a Construction Accident in Baltimore, MD?
Construction accident cases in Baltimore, MD, can be more complicated than they appear on the surface. You may actually have multiple legal options available to you for recovering compensation, so it’s almost always worth your time to get in touch with an attorney to learn about your best course of action.
When you hire the award-winning legal team with WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, we can:
- Investigate how your accident occurred and determine who was at fault
- Gather evidence, including safety records, witness statements, and video footage
- Identify all available sources of compensation, including workers’ compensation and third-party claims
- Handle all of the communications and negotiations with insurance companies
- Work with leading experts to strengthen your case
- Represent you in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached
Our Baltimore personal injury attorneys have been protecting injured workers in Maryland for decades. We’re ready to get to work on your behalf next, so call today to schedule a free initial consultation with a Baltimore construction accident attorney.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Construction Accidents in Baltimore?
Construction sites are filled with potential hazards. Unfortunately, many accidents occur because someone was careless in some way or failed to follow OSHA standards.
Some of the most frequent causes of construction accidents in Baltimore include:
- Falls from scaffolding and ladders
- Falling debris
- Electrocutions
- Heavy equipment accidents
- Defective machinery
- Collapsed trenches/structures
- Unsafe work conditions
- Lack of protective gear
- Inadequate training
Our lawyers can conduct a thorough internal investigation to determine how your accident happened and who may be responsible.
Can I File a Workers’ Compensation Claim After a Construction Accident?
Yes. In Maryland, most employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This coverage provides benefits to employees injured on the job, regardless of who was at fault (with rare exceptions for things like intentionally injuring yourself).
Workers’ compensation can provide:
- Coverage for all of your reasonable medical expenses
- Partial wage replacement while you are unable to work
- Benefits for permanent disabilities
- Death benefits for surviving family members
You do not need to prove negligence to receive these benefits, just that you were injured during the course of your work.
Can I Sue Someone Other Than My Employer After a Construction Site Injury?
In many cases, yes. While you usually cannot sue your employer if they have workers’ compensation insurance, you may be able to file a third-party personal injury lawsuit against another party who contributed to your injury.
Potentially liable third parties include:
- Property owners who failed to maintain safe premises
- General contractors and subcontractors responsible for unsafe conditions
- Equipment tool manufacturers that produced defective products
- Negligent drivers who caused a car accident or truck accident while you were on the job
A personal injury lawsuit can allow you to recover compensation beyond what workers’ compensation provides.
What Types of Compensation Are Available for Construction Accident Victims?
If you qualify to file a personal injury lawsuit in addition to your workers’ compensation claim, you may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages may include things like lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and medical care that workers’ comp may not cover. Examples of non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of quality of life, and more.
In rare cases involving egregious misconduct, punitive damages may also be available to punish the at-fault party.
How Long Do I Have to File a Construction Accident Claim in Maryland?
The deadlines for filing a construction accident claim depend on the type of case in question.
For workers’ compensation claims, you must report your injury to your employer within 10 days. From there, you usually must file your claim with the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission within 60 days of the accident.
For personal injury lawsuits, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file your case in court.
If you miss these deadlines, you could lose your right to compensation altogether. It’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible so your case can be filed on time.
Contact Our Experienced Baltimore Construction Accident Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation
If you were injured on a construction site in Baltimore, MD, you deserve all of the compensation you may be entitled to under the law. The WGK Personal Injury Lawyers team is here to help, with over 80 years of combined experience and tens of millions recovered for our clients since our founding.
Call today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Baltimore construction accident attorney. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we successfully handle your case.
