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West Virginia Construction Accident Lawyer

Construction sites can be quite hazardous. Every year, millions of people fall victim to injury, harm, or sometimes even death caused by accidents on a construction site. Construction employs approximately 6% of the total workers in the United States, but accounts for 20% of workplace fatalities the largest number of fatalities reported for any industry sector. Workers on construction sites are exposed to great danger every day, even though most sites follow strict health and safety rules. In the United States the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets and enforces standards concerning workplace safety and health. Even with stringent safety measures in place, however, accidents still can and do happen. One in ten construction workers will be injured this year alone. The most common injuries on construction sites are electrical burns, falls and equipment accidents.

If you have been injured while working on a construction site, regardless of who is at fault, you may be able to collect benefits from your employer's workers' compensation policy. You must first report the incident to your employer. You should document everything you can remember, including the names of any co-workers who may have seen the incident.

Construction site accidents are caused by various reasons which include: negligence of other site workers, mistakes and negligence caused by those under the influence of alcohol or drugs, defective machinery, or inappropriate behavior of other site workers.

If the injury is serious and could result in long term problems, or an inability to return to work, it may be in your best interest to contact an attorney immediately. West Virginia construction accident lawyers specialize in construction accidents and workers' compensation cases.

You may receive a phone call from the insurance company, requesting a taped phone interview about the accident and injury. You do not want to agree to this interview without soliciting the advice of an attorney first. After all, the main goal of a claims adjuster is to deny part or all of your claim, and they will use your words against you whenever possible. You need to know your rights. If you hire an attorney, they will conduct all communication with the insurer until there is a scheduled deposition.

You may be entitled to medical benefits, lost wages and payment for permanent disability. If you are not an employee, but you were injured on or near a construction site, you can contact a personal injury attorney who specializes in construction accidents. Your case may or may not go to court, depending on the circumstances. Often, personal injury cases are settled out of court. An experienced attorney will be able to tell you right away whether the facts of your case are strong. Most personal injury attorneys work on contingency, so you do not pay unless you win your case.

If you are injured due to unsafe working conditions, you can also file a report with OSHA. This agency mandates that certain safety requirements be met in any workplace to reduce the chance that a worker will be injured.

Make sure any attorney you hire is a member of the West Virginia Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Accidents may result in hefty medical expenses or even death. In order to receive the full compensation you deserve, contact a West Virginia construction accident lawyer attorney. Ask all the questions you can at your initial consultation, so you can concentrate on getting better and let your lawyer handle the rest.