Were you or a family member injured in a construction accident in Westlake, Ohio? Call Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers at (419) 502-5821 for legal advice today. An experienced Westlake construction accident lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
With over 181 years of combined experience, we represent clients with all types of injuries. Our attorneys have helped clients recover over $100 million–and we’re ready to put our skills to work for you.
Why Choose Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers for Help After a Construction Accident in Westlake, OH?
A construction accident can leave you facing serious injuries, lost income, costly medical bills, and an uncertain future. While compensation cannot undo what happened, it can help provide the financial support you need to move forward.
At Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers, our attorneys will investigate your accident, identify all available sources of compensation, and fight for the recovery you deserve.
When you hire our Westlake construction accident attorneys, you can expect:
- Thorough accident investigations
- Identification of all liable parties
- Collection of critical evidence
- Skilled negotiations with insurance companies
- Trial-ready representation when necessary
- Regular case updates and personalized guidance
- Free consultations
- No upfront attorney’s fees
Our team is committed to protecting your rights and helping you pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact Westlake personal injury lawyers today for a free consultation.
Our Attorneys in Westlake Handle All Types of Construction Accident and Injury Cases
Construction sites are inherently dangerous, and even experienced workers can suffer serious injuries when safety standards are not followed.
At Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers, we represent clients injured in a wide range of construction accidents, including:
- Falls from scaffolds, ladders, roofs, and other heights
- Heavy equipment and machinery accidents
- Electrocutions, fires, and explosions
- Trenching, excavation, and structural collapse accidents
- Falling object, slip and fall, and other job site injuries
No matter how your construction accident occurred, our attorneys are ready to evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Can I Get Workers’ Compensation If I Was Hurt in a Construction Accident in Ohio?
Most injured construction workers can get workers’ compensation after an accident. Workers’ compensation is mandatory for employers in Ohio.
Workers’ compensation offers an important lifeline for injured employees.
You can get workers’ compensation if:
- You suffered a work-related injury
- You were classified as a common law employee
Independent contractors generally don’t qualify for workers’ compensation. Businesses are only required to cover their employees. However, it doesn’t matter if your employer caused your injuries. Workers’ compensation offers benefits without proving fault.
Since you can receive benefits even if your employer did not cause your injuries, you can’t sue them for damages even if they were responsible.
What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover in Ohio?
Workers’ compensation covers some of the financial costs associated with a workplace injury, including:
- Your medical treatment costs and expenses (even if you don’t miss work)
- Temporary disability benefits (if your earnings are impaired during recovery)
- Permanent disability benefits (if you can never work again)
- Lump-sum settlement awards
- Living maintenance benefits for participants in an approved rehabilitation program
- Specific awards for facial disfigurement or loss of the use of a body part
- Death benefits in cases involving fatalities
The income replacement benefits you receive will depend on the facts. Our lawyers can review your situation and help you evaluate the options in your case.
Can Construction Accident Victims in Westlake File Personal Injury Lawsuits?
In many cases, yes. While workers’ compensation provides important benefits, it does not cover every loss. If someone other than your employer caused or contributed to your accident, you may also have a third-party personal injury claim.
For example, you may be able to file a lawsuit against a:
- Negligent driver
- Property owner
- General contractor, subcontractor, or equipment manufacturer
A successful personal injury claim may allow you to recover compensation beyond workers’ compensation benefits, including medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
Determining who is liable after a construction accident can be challenging. Our Westlake construction accident lawyers can investigate your case, identify all responsible parties, and pursue every available source of compensation.
What Is My Westlake Construction Accident Case Worth?
Different factors go into calculating the value of any personal injury case. In workplace injury cases, the first consideration is which type of claim you’re filing.
The value of your workers’ compensation claim is limited by state law.
Considerations relevant to calculating its value include:
- How much you earned prior to the accident
- The difference between your pre-disability and post-disability earnings
- Whether the injuries are temporary or permanent
- The nature of the injuries themselves
- The length of your recovery period
- The extent of any impairment that exists after you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI)
The potential recovery in personal injury cases can be more significant. Valuation can also be more complex. Our lawyers are here to help fight for every dollar available under the law.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Construction Accident Victims?
The compensation available after a construction accident depends on the type of claim you pursue. Workers’ compensation provides certain benefits regardless of fault, while a third-party personal injury lawsuit may allow you to recover additional damages.
If you have a personal injury claim against a negligent third party, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Economic damages: Medical expenses, future medical care, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, rehabilitation costs, and other financial losses related to your injury.
- Non-economic damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disability, scarring, disfigurement, and other personal losses resulting from the accident.
- Punitive damages: In rare cases involving particularly reckless or intentional misconduct, Ohio courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and discourage similar conduct.
An experienced Westlake construction accident lawyer can evaluate your case, identify every available source of compensation, and pursue the maximum recovery available under Ohio law.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Construction Accident Lawyer in Ohio?
Our law firm represents injured construction workers on a contingency fee basis. You only pay if we’re able to recover compensation in your case. Our fees are deducted from your compensation once your case is over.
How Can Ohio Comparative Negligence Laws Impact My Construction Accident Claim?
Ohio’s comparative negligence law does not apply to workers’ compensation claims. Your benefits won’t be reduced if you share fault.
In personal injury cases, the law can have a significant impact. You lose your right to damages if you’re found 51% responsible. If you share less blame, your damages are reduced in proportion to your share of fault.
How Long Do I Have to Pursue Financial Compensation After a Construction Accident in Ohio?
Deadlines in your case depend on the type of claim involved.
For workers’ compensation, you should immediately notify your employer about the accident. That gets the ball rolling. Your employer will then notify their insurance company and start the process for getting you benefits.
You have one year to file your formal workers’ compensation documentation.
In personal injury cases, the statute of limitations is two years. You have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
What Should You Do After a Construction Accident in Westlake?
The steps you take after a construction accident can affect both your health and your ability to recover compensation. Seeking prompt medical care and reporting the accident are important, even if your injuries do not seem serious at first.
After a construction accident, you should:
- Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible.
- Seek medical treatment and follow your doctor’s recommendations.
- Document the accident scene and your injuries, if you are able.
- Keep records of your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.
- Speak with an experienced construction accident lawyer before accepting a settlement or signing any documents.
Taking these steps can help protect your rights and preserve important evidence. Our Westlake personal injury attorneys can guide you through the legal process and help you pursue the full compensation available under Ohio law.
Contact a Westlake Construction Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in a construction accident in Westlake, do not face the legal process alone. Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers is here to protect your rights, explain your options, and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Westlake construction accident attorney.