Austin, TX, has more construction sites than almost any other U.S. city. A 2023 report revealed it trails only Houston and San Antonio in national real estate development. With that comes a lot of potential construction site accidents.
Over the last decade, the city has issued nearly 100,000 permits for new apartments and 40,000 permits for new homes. The city has so many construction sites that the Austin Business Journal created a special “Crane Watch” tool to keep track of Austin’s ongoing construction projects.
“What happens if you have an accident on a construction site?” has, unfortunately, become a question some construction workers in Austin, TX, have been forced to answer. If you work within the construction industry, ensure you know the answer so you’re ready to spring into action in the aftermath of a construction site accident.
Here are the important steps to take after a construction site accident.
Call for Help
Construction site accidents can cause an assortment of injuries. Common construction site accident injuries include:
- Bone fractures
- Large lacerations
- Bad burns
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
No matter which type of construction site accident injuries you sustain, the first thing you should do is call for help. In some cases, that might mean calling a fellow construction worker for assistance. In others, it might mean taking your phone out and calling 911.
Either way, figure out an effective way to alert those on your construction site and the proper authorities about your accident.
Seek Medical Attention
After notifying others about your construction site accident, secure medical attention quickly. Otherwise, a minor injury could become major, leading to a permanently life-altering condition.
Seeking medical attention can also help you take legal attention against a construction company, a building owner, or another party later if they’re to blame for your construction site accident. Keep any medical records and bills you receive to help you collect compensation for construction site injuries.
Inform Your Employer
The construction company you work for likely has its own reporting procedures for construction accidents. Find out what they are and let your employer know what transpired while you were working.
Your employer will probably want to launch an investigation into your construction site accident to determine ways to avoid future accidents. They will also typically create a written report revealing what happened. This report may come in handy if you decide to pursue a legal case against the responsible party.
Contact a Construction Accident Lawyer
Interested in taking legal action following construction site accidents? Speak with a construction accident lawyer about the prospects of your case.
The right lawyer can break down worker rights after a construction site accident. They can also conduct negotiations with the insurance companies involved in pursuit of compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Rehabilitation costs
- And more
According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, the statute of limitations for construction site accident lawsuits is just two years. Don’t put off calling an attorney for too long and miss the chance to file a legal claim.
Your lawyer can also provide more detailed answers to the question, “What happens if you have an accident on a construction site?” and reduce the stress associated with the recovery process.
Understand What Happens If You Have an Accident on a Construction Site
Sustaining an accident on a construction site can leave you in pain and put your livelihood at risk. Stop wondering, “What happens if you have an accident on a construction site?” and reach out to The Dow Law Firm for help.
Call us at (512) 240-9951 or fill out this form today.