According to a Texas Department of Insurance Census, construction accounts for 27% of all workplace deaths in Texas. This makes it one of the most dangerous industries in the state.
People hurt in construction accidents in Bedford, TX, often experience catastrophic and permanent injuries. If this sounds like you, you should contact a Bedford construction accident lawyer for help. A lawyer can fight for compensation and negotiate with insurance and construction companies on your behalf.
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers has over 37 years of combined experience helping injured people in Bedford. During that time, we have recovered over $75 million in compensation for our clients. We know the ins and outs of the construction industry.
Call us at (817)-503-9200 to set up a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you recover damages.
How Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Construction Accident In Bedford, TX
After a construction accident in Bedford, Texas, Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers can help you recover compensation for your losses. This may be through a worker’s compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit, depending on the facts of the case. Texas is unique in that it doesn’t require employers to purchase workers’ comp insurance. That means that your legal options may include filing a lawsuit against your employer.
When you hire our experienced Bedford personal injury lawyers to handle your case, we will:
- Investigate the cause of the accident
- Identify who is responsible
- File a worker’s compensation claim, if applicable
- Negotiate with insurance and the company on your behalf
- Hire expert witnesses
- Collect evidence
- File a personal injury claim
We are prepared to take every step necessary to get you justice. Call us to set up a free consultation.
Different Types of Construction Accident Cases
In general, construction accident cases can be divided into two major categories. Accidents that happen to a worker while on the job and accidents that involve a person not affiliated with the construction site. This may include a pedestrian. The first type is by far the most common, but both can be devastating.
There are many different types of construction site accidents. Some of the most common are:
- Falling from heights (such as scaffolding or a ladder)
- Fires and explosions
- Slip and falls
- Accidents involving heavy machinery, like forklifts
- Accidents during demolition
- Electrocutions
- Ground collapse
- Struck by falling debris
Our personal injury law firm is familiar with the construction industry and the ways in which accidents normally happen. If you aren’t sure exactly what caused the construction accident, our team can help you with a thorough investigation.
Why Do Construction Accidents Happen in Bedford, TX?
There is no singular cause of construction accidents. However, many types of accidents happen because of someone’s negligence. Some of the most common reasons for construction accidents include:
- Lack of protective equipment for workers
- Lack of guardrail on scaffolding
- Failure to inspect or maintain heavy machinery
- Improper or inadequate safety training for workers
- Improper training of heavy machinery or power tools
- Tripping hazards or a disorganized construction site
- Defective tools
- Poor or inadequate signage
- Lack of oversight
It’s up to the construction company to make sure that the construction site is as safe for workers and bystanders as possible. Failure to do so can make them negligent.
Common Construction Accident Injuries in Bedford
Construction is a high-stakes industry. It is risky for employees because the accidents are often fatal or result in serious injuries. Some of the most common types of injuries that happen in construction accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Crush injuries
- Suffocation
- Severe burns
- Amputation
- Eye injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Toxic chemical exposure
Depending on the type of accident, a worker may develop an injury immediately or over time. For example, the injury from exposure to a toxic chemical may not become obvious until years later, while the injury from a burn will be immediate.
Who Is Responsible for a Bedford Construction Accident?
Who is responsible for a construction accident is highly dependent on how the accident happened. There may be one wholly responsible party, or there might be multiple contributing parties.
In many construction accident cases, our law firm investigates:
- The construction company
- Employees of the construction company
- The property owner
- The local government
Sometimes construction accidents are complicated, and multiple people’s negligence led to the accident. We will identify everyone responsible for causing the accident and hold them accountable. Reach out to our trusted Bedford construction accident lawyers today to get started.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Construction Accident in Bedford, Texas?
The good news is that there are a variety of types of damages that you can ask for after a construction accident in Bedford, TX. The damages available to you will depend on whether you can file a personal injury lawsuit as opposed to (or in addition to) a workers’ comp claim.
Generally speaking, workers’ comp can only provide you with partial economic loss benefits. However, you can recover both economic and non-economic damages through a personal injury claim.
The purpose of damages is to make a plaintiff whole again. Of course, the court can’t erase history and prevent the accident from occurring. But, it can order financial compensation to make up for increased financial costs and pain and suffering. This is the best remedy that we have in personal injury cases.
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate a plaintiff for actual financial losses that happen because of an accident or injury. There is no limit on the amount of economic damages that you can receive. However, you are obligated to prove you are entitled to your requested amount with evidence.
In construction accident cases, economic damages may include:
- Past and future medical bills
- In-home nursing care
- Cost of domestic services
- Lost wages (past and future)
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Transportation to and from doctor’s visits
To prove these damages, you can provide receipts, bills, invoices, and estimates. You should keep this evidence organized and hand it over to your lawyer so that they can use it during your representation.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are often referred to as pain and suffering. This payment compensates a victim for emotional or intangible losses that happen after an accident. This category of damage is harder to calculate because it is a subjective experience.
Non-economic damages in construction accident cases may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- The onset of mental illness
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent injury
- Disfigurement
For some people, the emotional impact of an injury is more traumatic than the physical impact. In these cases, a plaintiff may be awarded more in non-economic damages than economic damages.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are different from economic and non-economic damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant instead of making the plaintiff whole again. While a plaintiff always has the right to recover economic and non-economic damages, punitive damages are only allowed under certain circumstances.
Under the Texas Code, a plaintiff can ask for punitive damages if the defendant acted with:
- Fraud
- Malice
- Gross negligence
The plaintiff must prove this by “clear and convincing evidence.” That is a higher burden of proof than proving negligence alone.
How Long Do I Have To File a Construction Accident Claim in Bedford, Texas?
You can’t wait forever to file a personal injury lawsuit stemming from your construction accident. You have two years from the date of the accident or injury to file. That may sound like a long time, but it goes by quickly.
If you are filing a worker’s compensation claim based on your construction accident, then the timeline will be different. You must report your injury to your employer within 30 days. This starts the worker’s compensation claim process. You’ll then have just one year to submit your claim in most instances.
It’s best to consult with a lawyer to find out which timeline applies in your case. That way, you don’t risk out missing important deadlines and losing your legal rights.
What if I Am Responsible for Causing The Accident?
Sometimes a plaintiff is partially responsible for causing a construction accident. Texas applies a rule called modified comparative fault in these situations. However, note that this standard only applies to personal injury lawsuits. Workers’ comp is generally a no-fault system, meaning you can receive benefits even if you caused the accident.
Under the state’s modified comparative fault rule, a plaintiff can still recover damages as long as they are not more than 50% responsible for causing the accident. If they are 51% or more responsible, they cannot request relief.
If a plaintiff has contributed to causing an accident but is less than 51% responsible, then their total damages are reduced by their percentage of responsibility. For example, if a plaintiff is 25% responsible, then they can recover 75% of their total damages.
It’s normal for construction companies to blame a worker to try and get out of paying. Our goal is to protect you from unfair blame so that you can recover the maximum compensation.
How Much Does a Bedford Construction Accident Lawyer Cost?
A construction accident lawyer in Bedford, TX, is affordable. At Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we charge a contingency fee. A contingency fee is an arrangement where a lawyer takes a set percentage of the final damages. This means you don’t need to pay by the hour or as the case progresses. Instead, we only get paid if we obtain compensation for you.
This arrangement is beneficial because it means that you don’t have to pay your lawyer if they lose your case. Their payment is directly tied to your success. You can always trust that your lawyer is working their hardest. Plus, you will always have the funds to pay your lawyer as it comes out of your settlement.
Contact a Bedford Construction Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you’re ready to get started on your construction accident case, call us at (817)-503-9200 a Bedford construction accident attorney at Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers will set up a free consultation.
Our lawyers are prepared to hear about your case and discuss a legal strategy. We will tailor our strategy to your goals and make sure you get the outcome you deserve.
Our personal injury law firm in Bedford, TX also provides:
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