Ohio Construction Worker Injury Lawyers Serving Cleveland
Construction is hard work. But you’ve shown up every day and worked hard for a living. Now that you’ve been injured in a construction accident, who can you turn to for the benefits you need to get by? If you’ve been injured in the Cleveland area, you can rely on the experienced injury lawyers at Bashein & Bashein to fight aggressively for the benefits you deserve.
If you’ve been hurt in a construction accident, experience matters when choosing an attorney. We have extensive experience in construction accident cases and have what it takes to conduct a thorough investigation to determine who is responsible and then hold them accountable for their negligence. Call 216-771-3239 or toll-free 800-771-4457 or send us an e-mail to schedule a free consultation with an attorney.
Choose the Construction Accident Attorneys at Bashein & Bashein
- Our Cleveland construction accident lawyers specialize in both personal injury and workers’ compensation claims. We have the skills, knowledge, and resources to fight for your right to justice.
- Our firm strives for excellence in every one of our cases. We have maintained a success rate of over 99% and will work tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome in your case.
- Recovering from a construction accident can be a lengthy and painful process. Our firm will take care of all matters related to your case so that you can focus on healing, treatment, and recovery.
Construction Accidents Cause Severe Injuries
Construction workers face a lot of risks on the job. From crane accidents to heavy machinery malfunctions, serious accidents can occur at Cleveland construction sites. Many of these accidents lead to painful injuries, some of which are very serious and require extensive medical care. Other incidents result in devastating fatalities.
Some of the most common injuries in construction accidents include:
- Neck injuries
- Back and spine injuries
- Traumatic brain damage
- Broken bones and fractures
- Lacerations, scrapes, and bruises
- Amputations or mangled limbs
- Burn injuries and scarring
An unexpected construction accident can have wide-ranging impacts, including financial hardship, chronic pain, and emotional distress. Construction employees who are injured on the job often need to spend days or even weeks away from work. Others may lose the ability to work at all due to a permanent disability. These consequences can be devastating.
Helping You Recover After A Serious Construction Accident
As you look to recover from your injuries and move on with your life, you can count on us to focus on making sure you get the full compensation to you are entitled to. We handle a wide variety of construction accident cases, including cases stemming from:
- Electrical and burn injuries
- Equipment accidents
- Excavation accidents and trench cave ins
- Falls and scaffolding accidents
- Vehicle accidents on duty
- Crane accidents
- Forklift accidents
- Plant and worksite explosions
We have the knowledge and experience to find out who is responsible for your devastating injuries and hold them responsible. We have a tremendous track record of achieving successful results in construction accident cases.
Our attorneys also handle OSHA violations and investigations as they relate to construction and workplace injuries.
Pursuing Workers’ Compensation for a Construction Accident in Ohio
If you are a construction employee who is injured at work, you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Ohio law requires all employers with at least one eligible employee to carry workers’ compensation insurance, which provides benefits for medical care, wage replacement, long-term disability, and other costs. These claims are administered by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC).
You can file a workers’ compensation claim for any injury or occupational illness that occurs while you are performing your job duties. However, it can be difficult to recover the full value of the benefits that you are entitled to receive. For this reason, it is important to work closely with a Cleveland workers’ compensation attorney to protect your best interests.
How to File a Workers’ Comp Claim for a Cleveland Construction Accident
To file a workers’ compensation claim, you will need to meet strict deadlines and comply with critical requirements. You will need to file your claim with the BWC within one year of the date of your injury. An attorney can assist you with each stage of the process.
Take the following steps to initiate your workers’ compensation claim:
- First, seek medical attention for your injuries. For emergencies, you can see any medical professional, but you must receive ongoing treatment from a doctor approved by the BWC.
- Next, report the accident to your employer as soon as you can and file an official workers’ compensation claim with the BWC. You will need to fill out a First Report of an Injury, Occupational Disease, or Death (FROI) form, which you can access online or from your employer.
- Within 28 days after you submit your claim, the BWC will decide whether to award you with workers’ compensation benefits. If the BWC’s decision does not meet your best interests, you can file an appeal within 14 days of the decision.
What Benefits Are Available for Injured Construction Workers?
If you were injured in a construction accident, you have the right to claim compensation for your medical bills and lost wages following the collision. You can also secure disability benefits if you develop permanent impairments as a result of your injuries.
Medical Expenses
Workers’ compensation insurance will pay for all reasonable medical expenses associated with your construction injury. These expenses may include doctor’s visits, surgical procedures, and prescription medications. You can also recover compensation to pay for mileage, lodging, and other expenses if you need to travel more than 45 miles roundtrip for medical care.
Temporary Disability Benefits
You can recover temporary disability benefits if you are unable to work for seven or more days due to your construction accident. There are two types of temporary disability benefits: total disability and partial disability.
If you are completely unable to work for at least two weeks following your accident, you could recover temporary total disability benefits. If you are able to return to work but need to take a lower-paying job or reduced hours, you can recover temporary partial disability benefits.
Permanent Disability Benefits
You can receive permanent disability benefits if you suffer a permanent impairment as a result of your construction accident. After you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), you will need to attend a medical exam where a doctor will examine you and determine the degree of your disability.
You are considered permanently and totally disabled if you experience one of the following:
- You have lost the use of both hands, feet, arms, legs, eyes, or a combination of two of these body parts.
- You are unable to hold gainful, long-term employment that matches the skills you have or could reasonably gain.
If you have a permanent impairment but your disability is not total, you could recover compensation for permanent partial disability. Injuries like amputations, loss of an eye, or deafness in one ear could qualify for these benefits.
Survivor Benefits and Funeral Expenses
If an employee dies as a result of a construction accident, his or her dependent family members may be eligible for survivor benefits. Additionally, Ohio workers’ compensation insurance may provide up to $7,500 for funeral and burial expenses.
Can You File a Lawsuit for a Construction Accident in Cleveland?
Workers’ compensation insurance generally protects employers from litigation. You cannot sue your employer if you are injured at work and they hold workers’ compensation coverage, even if their negligence is responsible. However, you could pursue a personal injury lawsuit if someone else caused your construction accident.
For example, say that you are injured while working with a piece of heavy machinery. An investigation discovers that the machine had a manufacturing defect, which led to the accident. In this situation, you could file a lawsuit against the manufacturer. Independent contractors, co-workers, and other third parties could also be liable for your accident.
Personal injury lawsuits follow a different process than workers’ compensation claims. Instead of showing that your injury occurred at work, you will need to prove that the defendant is at fault for the incident. Your Cleveland personal injury attorney from Bashein & Bashein will guide you through each stage of the litigation process and gather the evidence that you need to prove your right to recovery.
Benefits of Hiring an Attorney for Your Construction Accident Case
Whether you plan on filing a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit, you need an attorney on your side if you are injured in a construction accident. A lawyer can provide you with the resources, legal knowledge, and experience necessary to recover the settlement or benefits that you deserve.
There are several benefits to hiring a construction accident lawyer from Bashein & Bashein, such as the following:
- Knowledge of the Law: Your attorney will be very familiar with both personal injury and workers’ compensation laws. With this knowledge and experience representing construction accident victims, your lawyer will be equipped to help you navigate each part of your claim.
- Protection of Your Best Interests: During a construction accident claim, it is common to be misled by those who do not have your best interests at heart. Your employer may claim that you are not eligible for financial compensation, or the BWC may offer a lower award than what you deserve. A construction accident lawyer is dedicated to protecting your best interests and will fight for your right to maximum recovery.
- The Ability to Calculate Benefits: If you are injured in a construction accident, you want to ensure that you recover the benefits that you are entitled to receive. An attorney can evaluate your options for compensation and accurately calculate your award. Using this information, you can evaluate any offers and pursue negotiations or an appeal if necessary.
- Support with Administrative Matters: There are many small tasks associated with pursuing a workers’ comp claim or lawsuit, which can be overwhelming after a recent injury. At Bashein & Bashein, our firm will handle all of these administrative matters on your behalf and help you avoid common errors that would otherwise delay your case.
Contact a Cleveland Construction Accident Lawyer
We are committed to doing right by the victims of construction clients. We will cut through the clutter and make sure you get the compensation you deserve. To find out more, contact us today for a free initial consultation.