Construction Accident Lawyers in Encinitas, California
The construction accident lawyers in Encinitas, California at Jeffrey Estes Injury Lawyers work with individuals who have been hurt at construction sites. Many people who have been hurt in construction accidents, were injured on the job and therefore qualify to seek a settlement through worker’s compensation. In most cases, a worker’s employer will file a claim, though individuals can also file a claim through worker’s compensation. Yet, there are also cases where individuals were either independent contractors or weren’t employees, but were nevertheless injured on a construction site. If you were an independent contractor, a non-employee, or are being told that you are not eligible for worker’s compensation, you may still have the right to seek compensation for your construction accident injury through a lawsuit. The construction accident lawyers in Encinitas, California at Jeffrey Estes Injury Lawyers work closely with accident victims to help them seek the compensation they may deserve under the law.
Construction workers understand the risks and challenges of their jobs. They often take every precaution they can to protect themselves while working on a construction site and employers also take precautions to protect them. However, sometimes accidents happen on construction sites.
How to File a Worker’s Compensation Claim in Encinitas California
In most cases, if you’ve been injured in a construction accident, you will need to file a worker’s compensation claim. If you were seriously injured on the job due to a construction accident, the time starts ticking on how long you have to file a claim from the date your accident took place. However, not all workplace injuries are the result of a single accident. If you suffered an injury due to repetitive strain, the clock starts ticking on the first day you seek medical treatment for your condition. Once you see a doctor, it is important that you report your accident to your employer or supervisor right away. If your construction accident injury claim was denied by worker’s compensation the construction accident lawyers in Encinitas, California at Jeffrey Estes Injury Lawyers may be able to help. Here are some key steps to the construction accident claims process.
- Seek Medical Treatment. In the event of an emergency, ambulances can take you to the nearest hospital or to a hospital of your choice. You are not limited in where you can seek emergency treatment. However, if you plan to see a doctor for a strain or repetitive injury you believe you may have gotten on the job, you may want to ask your employer if he or she has a doctor where your coverage applies. You must tell your employer about your injury within 30 days of your accident or within 30 days of seeing a doctor for a repetitive strain injury. If you are having trouble with reporting your injury, or if your employer tells you that you didn’t report your injury in time, speak to the construction accident attorneys in Encinitas California at Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates today to protect your rights.
- Fill Out Your Employer’s Worker’s Compensation Claim Form. Once you report your illness or injury to your employer, he or she should provide you with a worker’s compensation claim form. The form will outline your rights and the process you’ll need to follow to make a claim. If your employer refuses to give you this form when you report your injury, consider reaching out to the construction accident attorneys at Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates in Encinitas, California. Our firm can review your case, and we may be able to either file a form for you, or seek damages from your employer through litigation.
- Appealing a Denied Claim. If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal. You have a year from the time of your accident or from the date you first sought medical care to appeal a claim. If you need assistance with the appeals process, Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates are construction accident lawyers in Encinitas, California who may be able to assist you. There are many reasons why a claim might be denied. Sometimes individuals may dispute the length of disability they should receive or they may dispute the cost of medical care and other expenses. If you have questions about your worker’s compensation benefits, or believe your claim may have been denied in error, visit the construction accident lawyers at Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates in Encinitas, California today.
If you’ve been hurt on the job, worker’s compensation may be able to cover your medical expenses, rehabilitation expenses, work retraining costs, and lost wages. While most claims go smoothly, sometimes individuals face challenges. Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates are construction accident lawyers in Encinitas, California who may be able to help you.
Causes of Construction Accidents in Encinitas, California
There are many hazards on any given construction sites. The law requires employers to provide safety training to workers and to provide workers with proper safety equipment. If your employer failed to provide you with safety equipment, or if you have questions about your rights after an accident, reach out to Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates, construction accident lawyers in Encinitas, California today. Our firm may be able to assist you with making a claim. Here are some common causes of construction accidents in Encinitas, California:
- Falls
- Electrocution
- Burns
- Falling objects
- Scaffolding injuries
- Crane accidents
- Accidents involving heavy machinery
- Car or truck accidents
Workers should be provided with helmets, eye protection, burn resistant clothing, and harnesses to prevent falls. Workplace safety should be paramount. However, when construction sites fail to take proper precautions, accidents can occur. The construction accident lawyers in Encinitas, California at Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates may be able to investigate the circumstances surrounding your case and assist you with your next steps.
Can I Sue After a Constriction Accident in Encinitas, California?
If you are covered under your employer’s worker’s compensation insurance, you won’t be able to sue after a construction accident. If your claim is denied by insurers, you’ll need to go through the appeals process which may require going to court. However, if your employer tells you that you are not covered under worker’s compensation, or if you were an independent contractor injured on a construction site, you may have the right to sue for your construction accident injuries. If you were not an employee but were on a construction site and got hurt, you may also have the right to sue. Construction sites are hazardous and companies have insurance. You may be able to make a claim through this process. However, you may only have a limited amount of time to make a claim under the law.
Were you injured on a construction site? Do you have questions about whether you need to make a worker’s compensation claim or pursue a lawsuit? Do you need help appealing a denied worker’s compensation claim. Have other questions about your construction accident injury? Reach out to the construction accident lawyers in Encinitas, California at Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates today. Our construction accident lawyers may be able to help.
Seek Help After a Construction Accident Injury in Encinitas, California Today
If you or a loved one was hurt on a construction site, you may only have a limited amount of time to make a claim. Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates are qualified construction accident lawyers in Encinitas, California who may be able to help you with your claim. If a third party’s negligence was responsible for your injury, you may be entitled to pursue a lawsuit. Because there are distinctive ways to pursue a claim, it may be wise to speak to a construction accident attorney before you proceed. Additionally, because claims are time-barred, it is important to pursue a claim in the manner that is right for your case. If you are not sure about whether you are entitled to make a worker’s compensation claim or pursue a lawsuit, consider speaking to the construction accident attorneys at Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates in Encinitas, California today. Our construction accident lawyers in Encinitas, California offer clients a free initial consultation during which we can review your case. We can take the time to understand your options and guide you on the next steps.