Were you in a construction accident in New Orleans, LA? Construction sites are dangerous, and many workplace accidents occur at these sites. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 1 in 5 workplace deaths occurred in the construction industry in 2021. With all the growth and construction in New Orleans, the chances for construction accidents only increase.
If you have been injured in a construction accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers today to let us investigate your accident and help you receive compensation.
Your time to file a claim after a construction accident is limited. Give us a call today to schedule a free consultation at (504) 294-3804 with a New Orleans construction accident lawyer, and let us get started helping you.
How Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Construction Accident in New Orleans
Residents of New Orleans, Louisiana have come to trust Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for all their personal injury needs. We help injury victims after car accidents, truck accidents, construction accidents, medical malpractice, and more.
Our team has over 50 years of combined experience fighting for the rights of injury victims. We have recovered tens of millions of dollars for these victims and are ready to help you get compensation as well. Some ways our New Orleans personal injury lawyers can help after your construction accident include:
- Thoroughly investigating your accident to determine the cause and identify any potential third-party claims
- Determining your employment status at the time of the accident to understand whether the workers’ compensation laws apply
- Looking for every potential source of compensation to help get you all the money you deserve
- Aggressively fighting the insurance company to ensure they do not undervalue your claim
- Handling all paperwork, hearings, and other proceedings until your claim is fully resolved
- Negotiating a full and fair settlement on your behalf that compensates you for all your injuries
- Filing a lawsuit and arguing your case in front of a jury when the situation requires it
If you have been hurt in a construction accident, contact one of our New Orleans workers’ compensation attorneys today. Attorneys on our legal team have been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers and Super Lawyers. With our experience and resources, we can handle every detail of your case while you focus on getting back on your feet.
Contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation.
What Is My Construction Accident Case Worth?
The amount that your construction accident case is worth depends mostly on the severity of your injuries. The more severe your injuries, the more compensation you are likely to receive. Some other factors that can influence the value of your case include:
- The total amount of your medical bills
- The total amount of your lost wages
- Your future medical outlook
- Whether you will be able to go back to work
- How your daily life has been affected
- Whether your claim is covered by the workers’ compensation laws
Workers’ compensation can have a big effect on the total value of your claim. If workers’ compensation covers you, you may be limited in the types of damages you can recover. The best way to get an accurate estimate of your case’s value is to get the help of an experienced construction accident lawyer.
Let the team at Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers evaluate your case and help you determine its value. We are ready to go to work for you today, so contact us now to let us get started.
Is Workers’ Compensation My Only Option After a Construction Accident?
If you are an employee, you are likely covered by workers’ compensation in Louisiana. In some cases, independent contractors may also be covered. Workers’ compensation is an exclusive remedy. This means that workers’ compensation is generally your only remedy after a construction accident, and you typically cannot sue your employer over your construction accident.
However, there may be some cases in which you can pursue a third-party claim. If a third party is responsible for your accident, you may be able to pursue a claim against them for your damages. Common third-party claims involve equipment manufacturers, property owners, and other third parties who are involved in the construction process.
Under workers’ compensation, you may only be entitled to recover your medical bills and lost wages. On the other hand, third-party claims may open the door to non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of quality of life. An experienced construction accident lawyer can help you identify all your legal options and help you pursue all potential sources of compensation.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Accident Victims?
The types of damages available to construction accident victims may vary depending on whether workers’ compensation covers the victim. According to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, accident victims covered by workers’ compensation are entitled to receive medical care, lost wages, vocational rehabilitation services, and/or death benefits.
Victims of accidents involving a third-party claim may be entitled to recover both economic damages and non-economic damages. These damages compensate victims for both their financial losses and their physical and emotional pain and suffering. Some common examples of damages in third-party claims include:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Physical therapy
- Nursing care
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Permanent disfigurement
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of consortium
Cases involving third-party claims are often worth much more than accidents covered solely by workers’ compensation. This is because non-economic damages in injury cases can be worth much more than the economic damages in the case. These damages may be worth anywhere from 1.5 to 5 times the value of the pure financial losses suffered by the victim.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Construction Accident Lawyer?
After a construction accident, you are likely already missing time from work and not getting paid. The stack of medical bills piling up only adds to the financial stress. The cost of hiring a lawyer is probably not something you want to think about.
Thankfully, hiring a construction accident attorney will usually not cost you anything upfront. Most construction accident attorneys charge contingency fees. Under this type of agreement, the lawyer takes their fee as a portion of the recovery received by the victim.
Louisiana law caps contingency fees in workers’ compensation cases at 20% of the total recovery. Additionally, a workers’ compensation judge must approve the attorney’s fee. Fees in cases involving third-party claims are usually a little higher.
Contingency fees in third-party claims usually range from 33% to 40% of the total recovery. Contingency fee agreements must be in writing and must be signed by the client. The agreement should clearly state the method of calculation of the fee, and you should always make sure you fully understand the fee agreement prior to hiring a lawyer.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed For a Construction Accident in Louisiana?
Yes, you may still be able to recover compensation even if you are being blamed for a construction accident in Louisiana. Workers’ compensation in Louisiana is a no-fault system. This means that your job-related injuries will be covered even if your own negligence caused the accident. There are a few exceptions, such as willful conduct or being under the influence at the time of the accident.
For third-party claims, Louisiana follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Under this rule, you can still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for your accident. Your recovery will just be reduced by your portion of the fault.
For example, imagine you are injured in a construction accident and suffer $10,000 in damages. It was found that you were 25% responsible for the accident. You may still be able to recover 75%, or $7,500, of your damages.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Construction Accident Injuries
Construction accidents can have devastating consequences because they often involve severe injuries. Some common types of injuries that occur in these accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Amputation
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations
- Paralysis
- Concussion
We understand how these injuries can affect you and your family, and you deserve to be compensated fairly. We will fight to get you all the compensation you are legally entitled to.
What Causes Most Construction Accidents in New Orleans, Louisiana?
Falls are the most common type of construction accident, and electrocution and crush accidents are not far behind. These accidents can happen for a variety of different reasons. Some of the most common causes of construction accidents are:
- Lack of safety gear
- Improperly marked hazards
- Faulty wiring
- Equipment malfunction
- Improper or inadequate training
- Falling tools, equipment, or debris
Regardless of what caused your accident, you deserve to be compensated appropriately for your injuries.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Construction Accident in Louisiana?
Generally, you must notify your employer of a job-related accident or illness within 30 days after the accident. You then have one year from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit under the workers’ compensation rules. If you have received benefits from workers’ compensation for your injury, this deadline may be extended.
For third-party claims, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Missing any of these deadlines can cause you to lose all your rights to compensation for your injuries. Since these rules can be confusing, it is best to seek the help of an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.
The team at Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can help determine the filing deadlines associated with your case. Let us help you make sure you do not lose your right to recover compensation for your injuries.
Contact Our New Orleans Construction Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you have been hurt in a construction accident in New Orleans, Louisiana, contact Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. One of our New Orleans construction accident lawyers will answer all your questions and help you explore all your legal options. Don’t let the insurance company take advantage of you. Let us fight to get you all the compensation you are owed.
