When it comes to dangerous jobs in the United States and in Chester, South Carolina, specifically, there are few more hazardous occupations than the construction industry. Construction workers use heavy machinery and electrical tools, and they frequently work at great heights and around loud and dangerous equipment. It is extremely common for these circumstances to lead to serious injuries. The good news is that most construction workers are entitled to workers’ compensation insurance coverage. This means that if you’ve been injured on the job at a construction site, you can most likey receive wage benefits and medical benefits. Further, if you have lost a loved one to a construction site injury, you can most likey receive benefits to cover their medical and funeral costs, along with benefits to cover their lost wages. Anyone who has been injured while working in construction or has lost a loved one in this way is urged to call the Chester, South Carolina, workers’ compensation attorneys at the Elrod Pope Law Firm. Today, we’ll look at the most frequently seen injuries on construction sites.
Construction Workers in Chester, South Carolina, Are Vulnerable to Traumatic Brain Injuries
One of the most common types of injuries from construction sites are the traumatic brain injuries or TBIs. These can occur because something falls on your head, because you fall from a height and strike your head, or because machinery comes into contact with your head. When you have a TBI, you are likely to suffer from a wide range of symptoms. You may be dizzy, get headaches, or suffer from cognitive difficulties. In the worst cases, especially in those where an object actually penetrates your skull, you may end up with long term disability or you may even be killed.
Construction Workers in Chester, South Carolina, Are Vulnerable to Spinal Cord Injuries
Another frequent and severe injury on construction sites is the spinal cord injuries. These injuries are also among the most likely to leave you permanently disabled or to end up being fatal. You might end up paralyzed, and you may never be able to work at all again, much less in construction. Some people with spinal injuries are able to recover, but others are left without functioning in their legs, their arms, or their entire body. This is not the type of injury that is easy to recover from, and in many cases, it is not possible. You may require ongoing care for the rest of your life after a spinal injury.
Construction Workers in Chester, South Carolina, Are Vulnerable to Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are also a frequent occurrence on construction sites in Chester, South Carolina. These can happen from welding accidents, chemical exposure, explosions, or electrical fires, for example. You could end up with minor first degree burns that don’t require medical treatment, or you might end up with more serious second degree burns that will require substantial medical treatment. If you end up with third degree burns, you may be out of work and in the hospital for a significant amount of time. You could also deal with permanent scarring and disfigurement from such burn injuries.
Construction Workers in Chester, South Carolina, Are Vulnerable to Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is another common issue among construction workers in Chester, South Carolina, primarily because of the loud machinery that is used on construction sites. For example, construction workers are exposed to the extremely loud noises of jackhammers, chainsaws, and other heavy machinery. Hearing loss is also not something that usually happens all at once, but progresses over time. The worker may not even realize its happening until it is far too late to stop the damage. The longer a person works in construction, the more vulnerable they are to hearing loss.
How a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help You with Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
Anyone who has suffered a life altering injury on a construction site is most likey eligible for workers’ compensation wage benefits and medical benefits. Yet, it is not always a simple process to get those benefits. Your employer may not be willing to help you with your claim, and the insurance company may deny your claim based on a technicality or by arguing the severity or the source of your injury. When you contact a Chester, South Carolina, workers’ compensation attorney with the Elrod Pope Law Firm, you will have skilled legal representation to help you through this process. Further, you may have a third party personal injury claim to pursue for additional compensation. For example, if your injury occurred due to a hazard on someone’s property or if you were injured in a work related auto accident, you may be able to file a third party claim with the property owner’s insurance, the at fault driver’s insurance, or a personal injury lawsuit, as the case may be.
A skilled Chester, South Carolina, workers’ compensation attorney can help you with your case by establishing whether or not your injury qualifies for workers’ compensation benefits, assisting you with the filing of your claim, provide the necessary documentation for your employer and/or insurance company, and even help you to appeal the decision if your workers’ compensation claim is denied. If it is necessary and appropriate to file a third party lawsuit, your attorney can also help you with this.
Finally, if you have lost a loved one to a work related construction injury in Chester, South Carolina, then you may not even know where to start with seeking the compensation that is owed to you. If you relied on the financial, physical, and emotional support of a construction worker, as a spouse or a dependent, then you are likey entitled to workers’ compensation death benefits. Yet, you are also facing the tragedy and grief of your loss, making it difficult to sort through the legalities and technicalities of a workers’ compensation claim. Call the Elrod Pope Law Firm to learn more about how we can help you to pursue the wage benefits, medical benefits, and potential death benefits in the Chester, South Carolina workers’ compensation system. We’ll provide a free consultation and get you started on the right path.
