After a job site injury, you need to make sure your rights are protected by avoiding common construction accident mistakes. Workers’ compensation in New York State can provide you with financial recovery. However, you may not receive all available benefits if you make mistakes in the aftermath of the accident. This includes not reporting your injury, and not seeking medical treatment.
Construction Accident Mistakes to Avoid | Not Reporting Your Injury
People often ask me what some of the biggest mistakes are that are made when involved in a construction accident in New York. I had a client call me the other day who told me that a month ago, he had tripped over a two by four at a construction site while he was working, and he landed on his shoulder and suffered a shoulder injury. I asked him, “Did you notify your employer?” and he said, “No.” I asked him why. He said, “Because I was afraid of losing my job.” That’s mistake number one. They can’t fire you because you make a workers’ compensation claim. You must notify your employer in order to protect your workers’ compensation rights, and you need to do it as soon as possible.
Construction Accident Mistakes to Avoid | Not Seeing a Doctor
I asked him, “Did you go see a doctor?” He said, “No.” I said, “Why?” He said, “I work 10-hour days. I didn’t have the time, and I’ve just been dealing with the pain.” I said, “What have you been doing for the pain?” He said, “I’ve been taking Tylenol every day.” Mistake number two is not seeking medical attention right away.
Make Sure You Hire the Right Attorney
The third thing that often happens is clients seek counsel from lawyers who are not personal injury attorneys. They won’t know the ins and outs of litigation relevant to personal injury and construction accident type case. That can be problematic. They may take on your case, but they may not necessarily know the ins and outs that a personal injury litigation attorney would know.
Contact The Law Offices of Brian J. Elbaum Today
Did you or a loved one suffer a serious injury on a job site and have questions about what construction accident mistakes to avoid? Contact a New York construction accident lawyer at The Law Offices of Brian J. Elbaum today for a free confidential consultation and case evaluation. Let our experience work for you.
