Injured on the Job? We Can Help

Construction is one of the most dangerous jobs in the state. Each year, hundreds of workers are injured on the job and are in so much pain they cannot return to work. Unfortunately, they face a legal maze trying to fully understand their rights to compensation, and their employer is often of little help.

If you need assistance, contact an experienced Vermont construction accident lawyer at Sabbeth Law. We have worked with countless construction workers and their families to obtain compensation for work-related injuries. You may qualify for medical and wage loss benefits, but you should consult us first.

Read on to learn more about construction accidents in Vermont and how personal injury lawyers at Sabbeth Law can help you navigate the legal process.

Most Dangerous Construction Accidents

Construction sites employ dozens of people, with many vehicles coming in and out of the property. Our clients are often hurt by:

  • Falls. It is very easy to fall from several levels up when working on a building. These accidents often cause fractures, head injuries, and paralysis. Even a slip and fall or trip and fall on one level could result in serious injuries.
  • Electrocution. Working around live wires is dangerous. Electrocution can lead to heart injuries, brain injuries, and internal burns.
  • Vehicle accidents. Dump trucks, excavators, and forklifts can strike a worker, causing traumatic injuries. Even the person operating the vehicle could be hurt in a collision.
  • Falling objects. Items often fall to the ground, which is why many workers wear hard hats. A falling object can cause concussions, brain bleeding, and other injuries.
  • Dangerous equipment or machinery. Machinery can explode or fail to work properly, causing burns, lacerations, and amputations.
  • Noise. Excessive noise can cause hearing loss, which might be permanent. For this reason, construction workers need earplugs and other personal protective equipment.

Workers’ Compensation in Vermont

The workers’ compensation system provides no-fault benefits to people injured, including construction workers. So long as you were working while injured, you should receive benefits, which can include:

  • Reasonable and necessary medical care to treat your injuries.
  • Mileage reimbursement to pay for the cost of travel to receive medical care.
  • Wage replacement if you are temporarily disabled and cannot work.
  • Permanent disability benefits if you suffer a permanent impairment.
  • Death benefits for surviving dependents when a construction worker dies on the job.
  • Vocational rehabilitation to help those find other suitable work.

These benefits are not overly generous. For example, workers only receive roughly two-thirds of their average weekly wage for disability benefits. For someone who earned $600 a week, workers’ compensation might only replace $400. Also, workers’ comp does not provide any damages for pain, suffering, emotional distress, or similar losses.

Bringing a Lawsuit for Your Injury

If you receive workers’ compensation benefits, you cannot sue your employer, who receives immunity. However, you might have a valid legal claim against someone else.

For example, equipment might fail to work because of a defect. In this case, you might sue the manufacturer for defective design or manufacture. PPE which fails to work properly could also form the basis of a lawsuit.

You might also sue the property owner or a vendor for injuries. Contact Sabbeth Law to thoroughly analyze whether you can bring this type of third-party claim. Helpfully, you can seek full compensation for all lost wages and pain and suffering in a lawsuit. Many clients can supplement their workers’ compensation benefits by holding other parties accountable. This means compensation for the big, less visible losses, from loss of hobbies, sense of self, and community to the effects on family relationships.

Most people who work in construction know that outside contractors are often brought in to do portions of the work on projects large and small. Whether it’s laying concrete, framing, HVAC, or electrical, these subcontractors might not be as familiar with the worksite as the workers who are there from the beginning of the project to the end. That is not a license to work negligently.

Whether it’s incorrectly constructed scaffolding or negligently operating a forklift, if one of these subcontractors that doesn’t work for your company hurts you, they and their insurance company are responsible. 

What to Do After a Construction Accident

The first step is to immediately inform your supervisor of the accident. Doing so protects other job site workers who might also be injured. Under Vermont law, you also need to inform a supervisor promptly to qualify for benefits.

Second, seek immediate medical care. Your employer might require that you meet with a company doctor for the first visit. However, you can choose your own doctor after that if you want. If necessary, contact an ambulance to get you to the hospital.

Third, check that your employer reported the accident to the Vermont Department of Labor. They have 72 hours to do so. If not, you might need to fill out your own claim form so that you can begin the process of receiving benefits.

Fourth, research Vermont construction accident lawyers. A lawyer can help compile evidence about the accident, which could be helpful in a workers’ comp claim or a third-party lawsuit. Evidence might include photographs, safety records, or witness testimony. This evidence is harder to find and preserve the longer you wait.

Our Vermont Construction Accident Lawyers Are Standing By

Sabbeth Law can immediately work to build a compensation claim. We understand the complexities of construction accident cases and have successfully fought for fair compensation on behalf of our clients. Our lawyers are skilled in negotiating with insurance companies and will fight for your rights.

Don’t wait to seek legal help if you’ve been injured in a construction accident. Time is of the essence when it comes to filing a workers’ comp claim or pursuing a lawsuit against a third party. Contact Sabbeth Law today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Vermont lawyers.