Virginia Construction Accident Lawyer

In any given industry, there are workplace hazards, but some jobs are more dangerous than others in Virginia. Workers employed in the construction field are particularly at risk of injury. According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 20% of job-related deaths in the U.S. occur at construction work sites. That’s one in five workers across all industries, and despite the fact construction work by nature comes with more hazards, this figure is still much too high, especially considering many construction accidents are preventable. If you have been hurt, contact a skilled Virginia construction accident lawyer immediately.

Construction workers are routinely exposed to hazards, including working with heavy machinery, toxic materials, and at high elevations, to name a few. Many of these accidents are caused due to a lack of regard for safety standards, such as violating OSHA and VOSHA rules, defective machinery, and overall negligence by employers, general contractors, or suppliers working at construction sites.

If you or a loved one suffered a construction-related accident in Virginia, a personal injury attorney who thoroughly understands the Commonwealth’s workers’ compensation laws can help. As one of the premier Virginia construction accident lawyers, Steven M. Oser P.C. is committed to helping construction accident victims get the fair compensation they deserve. To receive a free consultation, contact the Steven M. Oser law firm at (757) 539-4127.

What is the ‘Fatal Four’ and How Does it Apply to Construction Site Accidents?

The construction industry is constantly plagued by what OSHA deems the “fatal four” in workplace accidents. These four types of accidents are: falls, being struck by objects, electrocutions, and caught-in/between – all of which can result in many types of workplace industries. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, an unimaginable 60% of construction worker fatalities are attributed to the “fatal four”. Unfortunately, many construction companies disregard the safety rules designed to protect workers, and many types of construction accidents that could have been prevented are the result.

What are the Types and Causes of Construction Site Accidents?

Construction site accidents can be devastating. In larger accidents, the damage might be widespread and affect many lives in a single moment, not unlike a serious car accident or truck accident. Even when just one worker is injured on a construction work site, it can have a devastating impact on them and their families. Dozens of hazards are present every day on construction worksites, including, but not limited to

• Scaffolding and ladder accidents
• Building collapses
• Crane and hoist accidents
• Slips and falls
• Falls from high elevations, including buildings and lifts
• Falling objects from work being performed by above workers
• Malfunctions of heavy machinery and other equipment
• Repetitive stress injuries
• Electrocutions
• Explosions
• Getting caught in or between
• Lack of proper training
• Improper use of equipment
• Lack of equipment maintenance

This list is long and is by no means comprehensive. Companies and those working with them in decision-making capacities are responsible for taking due diligence to prevent accidents by following state and federal laws.

Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Companies sometimes cut corners or rush safety precautions to stay on deadline. Workers who suffer the above and other construction-related accidents are often left with serious injuries, catastrophic personal injury, and/or permanent disability, including traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and spinal cord injuries.

What is tragic is that many of these accidents are often preventable and occur simply due to sheer negligence. Numerous construction accidents occurring each year in Virginia could be avoided if employers, contractors, subcontractors, supervisors, manufacturers, and other involved parties paid an adequate amount of time and attention to worker safety rather than prioritizing deadlines or pursuing other cost-saving measures that directly lead to injury.

What Do Virginia Construction Accident Injury Attorney Do?

Sadly, Virginia construction workers will most likely consistently face unnecessary work-related hazards every day, despite the fact U.S. and state law has protective measures in place designed to reduce work-related accidents. As a result, these injured workers will face high medical bills, surgery, rehabilitation therapy, lost wages, and loss of future income.

A Virginia construction accident attorney can work to make any responsible parties pay for their negligence. Victims injured on a construction site may be able to pursue several avenues to obtain compensation for their losses and suffering including Workers’ Compensation, personal injury lawsuit, product liability, or wrongful death. Speaking with an experienced Virginia construction accident lawyer can help victims determine the best course of action.

What are the Differences Between a Construction Accident Workers’ Compensation Claim and a Personal Injury Claim?

In the absence of federal law, each state has its own criteria and rules when it comes to workers’ compensation benefits. In Virginia, workers hurt on the job are entitled to benefits if the injury occurred during the course of their job. This means construction workers must prove their injury or illness emerged as a direct result of their job.

Workers’ compensation is not fault-based, and negligence does not have to be proved. If the injury occurred on the job, construction workers can receive payments to cover medical care, lost wages, and other injury-related losses. Many insurance companies do, however, often try to pressure workers into accepting lower compensation offers that don’t cover the scope of their injuries.

On the other hand, unlike a workers’ compensation claim which is no-fault, a personal injury claim is based on fault. Negligence must be proven. Injured persons are also eligible for “a wider variety of damages” than they are in workers’ comp claims. In personal injury claims, victims can also pursue compensation for pain and suffering, loss of future earnings, and punitive damages, to name a few.

Speaking with an experienced Virginia construction accident lawyer can help victims determine which course of legal action will best meet their needs and cover the extent of their losses and damages.

Do I Need a Virginia Construction Accident Lawyer?

If you were injured in a construction accident, it is in your and your family’s best interest to speak with a Virginia construction accident attorney as soon as possible. The Commonwealth of Virginia imposes a two-year statute of limitations on accident claims for Workers’ Compensation, and your attorney can best determine what that length of time will be based on the type of accident suffered.

In most cases, insurance companies will try to settle for the lowest amount possible to minimize the employer’s liability. They cannot be trusted to do what is right for an injured victim. On the other hand, working with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney who is well-versed in Virginia workers’ compensation laws can make the difference between a lowball settlement and the maximum amount of compensation deserved to help cover medical expenses and other costs associated with the restoration of normal life.

Attorney Steven M. Oser cares about and fights for his clients. As one of the top Virginia construction accident injury attorneys, he will correctly identify any and all liable parties in a construction accident, thoroughly evaluate all aspects of the case, collect the necessary evidence, and work hard to get his clients the compensation they are allowed to under the law.

Steven M. Oser P.C. does not charge his clients a fee unless they win. With his proven track record, many of his clients have received large settlements to help them recover a sense of normalcy after suffering a tragic accident. He promises to protect your legal rights and provide sound legal advice – the attorney-client relationship is very important to him.

Contact a Virginia Construction Accident Attorney Today

Steven Oser is a dedicated professional Virginia construction accident lawyer who is highly experienced in Virginia workers’ compensation cases. He has proudly been providing expert legal services to individuals and their family members since 1989. It is his goal to help injury victims restore their lives with the maximum amount of compensation permitted by law. Virginia’s workers’ compensation laws are complex, and Attorney Steven Oser has the experience and skills needed to fight insurance companies that are definitely not advocating for the rights of accident victims.

His caring and compassionate legal team is skilled at navigating Virginia’s personal injury and workers’ comp laws and will work to prevent insurance companies from taking advantage of construction accident victims. Don’t get lost in a big law firm where paralegals are your primary contact before you go to court – at the law firm of Steven M. Oser, you will get personalized attention from an attorney.

Steven Oser has years of experience serving the areas of Suffolk, Windsor, Franklin, Ivor, Wakefield, Waverly, Surry, Smithfield, Courtland, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and all of Hampton Roads. He will successfully handle your case. To obtain a free case evaluation, talk to our construction accident attorney by calling (757) 539-4127 or by completing our convenient online contact form.