When to Sue After a Construction Accident
Suffering injuries due to a construction accident can have a major impact on your physical, mental, and psychological well-being.
Between medical bills and lost income, as well the physical and emotional impact of your injuries, a construction accident can have a devastating impact on your life.
Wondering when to sue after a construction accident? Read on to learn how a Richmond personal injury lawyer can help.
Timeline for Construction Accident Lawsuits
Taking action in order to receive compensation for your construction accident injuries is most effective once you have a plan.
When it comes to suing for a construction accident, in most cases, your plan cannot involve suing your own employer. That’s because the state’s workers compensation system, while providing some benefits for injured workers, also shields employers from personal injury liability.
But there are many situations and scenarios in which filing a lawsuit is allowable and to your advantage. Some examples include:
- An employee suing the manufacturer of a defective product
- An employee suing a third-party contractor for its negligence
- A pedestrian (non-employee) suing a company for injuries suffered at a construction site
Once you’ve figured out whether you’re able to file a claim, taking action as soon as possible is likely in your best interest. This is because the statute of limitations on civil liability isn’t infinite.
In Virginia, for example, would-be construction accident plaintiffs have two years from the time of the accident to file their claims. Sometimes, however, this deadline may be extended.
The same is true for surviving families hoping to file wrongful death claims against a responsible third-party.
Gathering the evidence needed to file a successful claim takes time, which is why most injured workers find an attorney to help them process their lawsuits before the statutory deadline has a chance to expire.
Damages You Can Receive for a Construction Accident in Virginia
Construction accidents often lead workers to suffer immense injuries. The regular use of heavy equipment, as well as potential exposure to dangerous chemicals and other hazardous materials, makes the construction industry one of the most dangerous.
Some common causes of construction accident injuries include:
- Falls from heights
- Slip-and-falls
- Crushing injuries
- Injuries caused by car accidents or by use of heavy equipment
- Burn injuries
- Electrocution injuries
- Inhalation of unsafe chemicals or gases
- Others
Regardless of the nature of the accident you’ve suffered, you’re entitled to file a claim for the losses you’ve sustained in the construction accident. Some common forms of compensation available to injured workers include lost wages, medical bills, and emotional damages such as pain and suffering.
Consulting a construction accident lawyer is the only way to know if a settlement offer for your injuries is fair or reflective of the extent of the losses you’ve incurred.
Contact a Virginia Construction Accident Lawyer
When a construction accident causes your injuries, don’t wait until the statute of limitations makes your claim overdue. Contact a construction accident lawyer from Halperin Law Center today for a free consultation.
Call 804-527-0100 or fill out the form below to get started today.
